RI Judge Upholds Governor’s E-Verify Executive Order

A Rhode Island Superior Court judge had upheld an executive order issued last year by Gov. Donald Carcieri that requires the mandatory use of E-Verify for state employers and contractors. The ACLU filed the lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction to block the state’s use of E-Verify.

“Requiring vendors doing business with the state to utilize the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program helps protect the integrity of our government system and promotes public confidence,” Carcieri said in a statement published in the Providence Business Journal. “Therefore, I am extremely pleased with this decision.”

Carcieri first issued the executive order in March 2008. The state then sent notices in July to all state offices and vendors giving them 45 days to register with E-Verify and begin using the system. The ACLU filed suit against the state in September.

The first ruling came on Sept. 15, rejecting the ACLU’s claims and allowing the state to move forward with its implementation. The ACLU then sought the permanent injunction, which was initially rejected in February before this week’s final ruling.

For more information, see the Providence Business News, and for a list of state’s that have mandatory E-Verify laws in place, see our Map of States with Mandatory E-Verify Laws.