The federal E-Verify system is an internet-based system that helps employers verify an employee's work eligibility in the United States. However, in Alabama, employers and lawmakers say it's not foolproof and more could be done.
State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine), a general contractor himself, said he has identified challenges in the construction business. He said illegal workers can "cheat the system" by presenting forged documents.
"If you've got somebody standing in front of you with a document that's forged, you may not know it, and if the computer system that is provided by the federal government doesn't indicate that it's forged, then what are you supposed to do from a small business standpoint?" Elliott questioned.
Following multiple immigration raids in the state and a high-profile raid in Baldwin County, Elliott said general contractors cannot depend solely on E-Verify.
Last month, the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) raided the construction site of the new Gulf Shores High School. Agents detained 36 suspected illegal immigrants.
The general contractor, Rabren General Contractors, told 1819 News they were embarrassed and were working with the feds to make changes. Another general contractor, Limestone Building Group, highlighted challenges faced by the construction industry due to "system flaws."
Elliott said while he understands those challenges are real, general contractors must use common sense and not cheat the system themselves.
"Don't hire illegal workers and do what you can do to ensure that you don't have illegal workers on your job site," Elliott emphasized. "Look, I am a general contractor. I don't do a lot of work right now, but I am a general contractor. I get it. Your contract with your subcontractor says everybody will be legal, and the subcontractor may or may not follow that. But look, if you look out on your job site and you have a reasonable suspicion that the vast majority of your workers are here illegally, I still think the onus is on you, whether you've got a contractual obligation or not, to at least attempt to ensure that the workers that are on your job site are here legally."
Elliott said it is true that general contractors cannot become experts in forged instruments. That's why he hopes to make it harder for illegal immigrants to work in Alabama.
"Some of these documentation issues just show that we need to have multiple different layers of state statutes that say, 'Hey, we're going to make it hard for you to be here illegally,' and that's what we've attempted to do," said Elliott.
A bill Elliott wants to see passed would void a driver's license issued in a state where proof of citizenship is not required.
The lawmaker agreed it can be difficult to find people willing to fill positions. That's why he believes the federal government should create programs that allow people from other countries to work legally in the United States.
"We do have a workforce issue," he said. "Yes, we need folks here to do work that we simply can't find enough willing people to do, whether that's on the farm or in the construction industries or in the retail hospitality industries. So, our federal government needs to take up some sort of immigration reform that allows foreign workers here to do some of these jobs and perform some of this labor."
Elliott said a federal program would not have to provide a path to citizenship, but a compromise would be helpful to everyone involved.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
