Blog - Just when you thought it was over

The most toxic issue of the 110th Congress, immigration, threatens to rear its head once again. According to anti-immigration group NumbersUSA, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has placed a hold on a bill to reauthorize four immigration programs, including E-Verify, a Republican favorite, and won’t release it unless language is added to recapture about half a million unused worker and family visas dating back to 1992.

E-Verify is a voluntary program that gives employers access to a free government database of citizenship status so they can verify that their applicants are legal to work. Without action from Congress, the program will expire on November 1st.

Since the program discourages illegal immigration to the U.S. by blocking employment opportunities, the anti-immigration crowd, which was strengthened by the Senate’s attempt to move immigration legislation last year, will be putting up a serious fight to get it passed. Expect the immigration debate to grow more and more unpleasant as November approaches.