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Take Action Now: Reauthorization for Employment Verification (E-Verify) funding is being voted on this week by the Senate! Call Your Senators Today!
The funding for E-Verify, a program run by the federal government used to certify that employees are authorized to work in this country legally, is about to expire. This program has been plagued by serious problems since its inception a decade ago.
It is time the we recognize this is a failed system and stop funding it!
Long Island Wins is concerned because this legislation primarily affects employers and was largely unexamined by the local business community. Employment verification programs apply to all businesses regardless of their employee’s legal status or country of origin and all of those affected must be heard!
The Federal Government Accountability Office (June 2008) said that E-Verify is significantly flawed because it yields inaccurate returns, has a limited database and inadequate staffing in the offices responsible for monitoring it. This has heightened concerns among critics that thousands of legal Americans will be unfairly denied jobs, employers may be forced to bear unforeseen costs, and employer misuse of the program may lead to unjustified adverse action against workers.
The United States Chamber of Commerce, the largest organization of businesses in the country, said no to E-Verify stating that the costs of E-Verify placed on employers have been drastically underestimated. Imposing E-Verify nationwide now without broad immigration reform would severely damage an already fragile and compromised economy.
Solutions to immigration issues are desperately needed, and now it is time for us to stand up and say:
“Do not continue funding the dysfunctional and ill-conceived E-Verify program. We need practical solutions now!”
Working together as Long Islanders, we can come up with practical solutions that both promote opportunity for all, respect the law, and reflect our values. Make sure your voices are heard, E-Verify is not and can not be a substitute for immigration reform.
Take Action: Call your US Senators in the next two days!
You can reach your senators through the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (and ask for the Senators of your state) or go to www.senate.gov to look up your senators. Don’t forget to forward this email and tell friends and family to call their Senators!
Sample Phone Script:
Phone is answered by Legislative Aide or Answering Machine.
You: Hello, My name is _________ and I live in city, state. I am calling to urge my Senator to stop funding E-Verify. It is a flawed system and is not a replacement for or solution to the need for federal immigration reform. What we need are practical solutions to immigration issues which promote opportunity for all. Thank you.
In Solidarity,
The Long Island Wins Team
Filed under: activism, Green Party Websites, immigration, Political Websites, reform, social & economic justice, US Politics
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