Temecula city council officials unanimously passed an ordinance this week requiring all local businesses to use the E-verify system to confirm eligibility for employment in the United States.
The Southwest Riverside News Network reported the vote came as more than 100 protesters gathered outside City Hall. Most of the protesters were anti-immigration advocates who identified themselves as members of the Tea Party movement.
Under the new ordinance, a business that fails to comply could risk having his or her license revoked. However, business owners should understand the risk of using the system, which could include employment discrimination lawsuits. Our Temecula business defense lawyers offer confidential appointments to any business owner threatened by the city under this new ordinance.
Our California Immigration Attorney Blog has continued to report problems with the E-Verify system. One recent case in Chicago involved a 25-year UPS employee. Despite being a U.S. citizen who had worked for the company for more than two decades, she was flagged as a possible illegal due to a name change resulting from marriage. She was forced to prove her identity or risk losing her job.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports the system is wrong in 4 percent of all cases and is so unreliable the federal government is searching for alternatives. Our Temecula immigration lawyers encourage employees who are harassed as a result of E-verify results to contact our office for a consultation to discuss your rights.
