Federal Contractors Must E-Verify Workers

Today, President Bush issued executive prohibiting federal contracting agencies from entering into contracts with employers that do not “use the best available means to confirm the work authorization of their workforce," i.e. E-Verify. This Executive Order 12989 of February 13, 1996, as amended June 6, 2008, reads:

"Executive departments and agencies that enter into contracts shall require, as a condition of each contract, that the contractor agree to use an electronic employment eligibility verification system designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security to verify the employment eligibility of: (i) all persons hired during the contract term by the contractor to perform employment duties within the United States; and (ii) all persons assigned by the contractor to perform work within the United States on the Federal contract."