Metcalfe Against Federally Proposed Legal Workforce Act

Saying it will preempt state lawmakers from passing and enforcing their own measures, The State Legislators for Legal Immigration, a group founded by, R-Cranberry, has come out in opposition to a federal bill that would make the E-Verify process mandatory for all employers.

Congressman Larmar Smith, R-Texas, on Wednesday introduced the Legal Workforce Act. According to Metcalfe’s office, the legislation would create a facade of cracking down on illegal alien employment by enacting a federal requirement for some businesses to use the E-Verify system, while at the same time outlawing efforts by state legislators that would require employers to use E-Verify.

The legislation also contains loopholes for some employees, such as workers performing agricultural and labor services, Metcalfe said.

According to a press release from Metcalfe’s office, his group believes the end of illegal aliens entering the United States only will happen through a partnership between federal, state and local governments. Smith’s legislation as drafted would shift enforcement of E-Verify solely to the federal government, Metcalfe said.

“SLLI supports the mandated use of E-Verify for all employers across the United States, but this legislation is a fraudulent attempt to undermine state legislators, who are actually enacting and enforcing laws to end the illegal alien invasion,” Metcalfe said. “It should alert and outrage Americans that this legislation is fully supported by the pro-amnesty U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who has and will continue to work against our efforts to protect American lives, liberty and property.”

The act also would nullify substantial portions of Arizona’s E-Verify law, according to Metcalfe’s office.

“America already has plenty of laws against hiring illegal aliens that the federal government refuses to enforce,” said Arizona State Senate President Russell Pearce. “There is virtually no chance that Barack Obama will enforce Congressman Smith’s legislation any more than he has enforced any of our other immigration laws.”

Metcalfe said State Legislators for Legal Immigration was formed to demand full cooperation among federal, state and local governments. Lawmakers from 41 state legislatures have signed up as group members, according to his office.