E-Verify- the online government-run program that allows employers to check the work eligibility of their employees- is considered by many immigration reform activists to be  the first step to ending illegal immigration in the country.  Despite the program's overwhelming popularity (over 100,000 businesses use the program), immigration reformers have struggled against special interest and ethnic groups to see the program permanently authorized by law.

This week, E-Verify supporters scored two victories in the Senate's debate over the DHS Appropriations Bill: Amendment 1371 by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Amendment 1415 by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA).

The Sessions Amendment, which ultimately passed by voice vote, provides for the permanent authorization of the E-Verify program.  The amendment would also require all contractors to use the E-Verify program before doing work for the federal government. (NOTE: Senator Kay Hagan voted yes for a procedural motion that would have killed the amendment. Senator Burr voted no on the motion to table.).

 The Grassley Amendment, which also passed by voice vote, allows employers to use the E-Verify program to check the work eligibility of existing workers- under current law only new hires are allowed to be checked. 

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