E-Mail
Print
West Georgia businesses with 500 or more employees say they are compliant with the required E-Verify component that took effect this month under Georgia’s 2011 immigration law. Some of the bigger local businesses say they have been using the online system designed to verify legal citizenship of employees before it was required.
“We began using E-Verify on November 1, 2011,” says Vette Carr, Employment Manager with Tanner Medical.
Opponents of the new system worry that flaws in the system could target legal citizens. But Carr says for Tanner, 'so far-so good' as the verification has proven 100% accurate.
“We post posters, notifying that we are participants of E-Verify,” Carr says. “Once an applicant submits their information for the employment eligibility verification form, we start the E-Verify process.”
Carroll County government has had E-Verify in place since January 2008 according to Human Resources Director, Anne Lee. She says only one time out of about 150 uses in the last four years, has the database been inaccurate about an applicant. “It actually kicked out someone who had married and didn’t change their maiden name to their married name,” she says. “But the issue was remedied through the social security office.”
Starting July 1st, businesses of 100 or more must use E-Verify. By January 2013, all businesses with more than 10 employees will be required to use the system. Those with 10 or fewer employees are exempt.
The Haralson County Chamber Of Commerce is hosting a ‘Lunch & Learn’ seminar next Wednesday, giving an overview of current immigration legislation along with guidelines for complying with E-Verify.