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Immigration Bill Requires Screening of New Hires

HR 4437 is an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill intends to limit the hiring of illegal aliens and strengthen border security. It includes a provision that requires employers to screen new hires for employment eligibility.

The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to establish and administer a verification system with a toll free number. Employers will need to call the number and report the name of social security number of the new hire, which will be verified against a database managed by the Social Security Administration. The bill prohibits the use of data for any other purpose other than social security number verification. The database will not contain any criminal background information.

The program is intended to confirm or deny the authenticity of Social Security numbers. It would require employers to begin checking new hires within the next two years, and to be checking all new hires within six years. The proposed bill also increases penalties for employers who do not verify employment eligibility. The maximum fine increases from $10,000 to $25,000 for first time violators.

HR 4437 has passed the Judiciary Committee in the House of Representatives, and has been referred to the Senate.