Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act

Key Points

• This bill would make E-Verify a permanent and mandatory tool for every employer in the United States. While many businesses use it voluntarily now, this law would require all companies to check the legal work status of every new hire and existing employee within one year of the bill passing.
• The plan significantly increases the fines for businesses that hire people not authorized to work in the U.S. For a first-time mistake, fines would start at $2,500 per worker, and repeat offenders could face fines up to $25,000. Companies that repeatedly break the law could also be banned from getting federal contracts for five years.
• Employers would be required to re-check the status of current employees who have never been through the E-Verify system. They would also have to re-verify any worker whose work permit is about to expire. If the system shows a worker isn't eligible, the employer would have to fire them immediately.
• To help small businesses in rural areas or places without reliable internet, the government would set up a special program. This would allow these owners to use public internet terminals to run their required background checks.
• The bill creates a new Employer Compliance Inspection Center to audit businesses and ensure they are following the rules. It also encourages different government agencies, like the IRS and Social Security Administration, to share data to catch identity theft and fraud more easily.