E-Verify in the next Legislative session

December 7, 2011

Several weeks ago, we suggested that all OFIR members e-mail the Co-Speakers of the Oregon House of Representatives and urge them to introduce a mandatory E-Verify bill in the 2012 legislative session, which begins Feb. 1.

Less than two months remain before the session begins. To keep E-Verify at the forefront of the Co-Speakers' minds, this week please e-mail or call, once again, the offices of Republican Co-Speaker Bruce Hanna and Democrat Co-Speaker Arnie Roblan.

Contact your state senator and representative, as well. To learn their e-mail addresses and phone numbers, please visit www.leg.state.or.us and click "Find your legislator" on the right-hand side of the page.

Tell them this: in October, the Oregon Employment Department reported almost 180,000 Oregonians were officially unemployed. And yet, according to a recent estimate of the Pew Hispanic Center, some 130,000 illegal aliens hold Oregon jobs. In a time of high citizen unemployment, it is unconscionable that Americans are forced to compete for jobs with illegal aliens.

Working together, we can impress upon our legislators how illegal aliens steal jobs from U.S. citizens -- and persuade those legislators to consider enacting mandatory E-Verify in the 2012 session. This week, please contact Oregon's Co-Speakers and your own state senator and representative in support of a bill to mandate that Oregon's public and private employers use E-Verify.

As always, thank you for your help. If you do get a written response or speak with someone directly, please let OFIR know.