Please join me as a co-sponsor of legislation to require entities that receive grants from the Commonwealth to take steps to ensure they are not employing individuals who are not authorized to work in the United States.

This legislation would require any entity that receives a grant from the Commonwealth- along with the entity’s contractors and subcontractors - to use the federal E-Verify system for any new hires if any part of the grant will be used to pay wages. The E-Verify system is an optional system run by the United States Department of Homeland Security. It allows employers to verify that all their employees are legally authorized to work in the United States.

While the federal government does not mandate the use of E-Verify, the Commonwealth has enacted several statutes to require its use by certain categories of employers, including employers providing public works and the construction industry. 

Taxpayers expect entities that accept grants from the Commonwealth to take the additional steps to ensure they are complying with federal laws governing those who are legally permitted to work in the United States.

I look forward to working with you on this important legislation.