Napolitano Supports Longer E-Verify Extension

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said today that she supports E-Verify and an extension beyond its current Sept. 30 expiration date. In an interview with the Gannett Washington Bureau, she extended her support for the program even though the Obama Administration hasn’t taken a position on it.

“It’s all about who gets to work and making sure they’re legally present in our country. And to do that nationally E-verify becomes a key component,” Napolitano said in the interview. “It certainly needs to be available, effective and as inexpensive as possible and that employer needs to use it as a tool.”

As governor of Arizona, Napolitano signed a bill making it mandatory for all employers in the state to use E-Verify. NumbersUSA has a map detailing all the state laws requiring some form of mandatory E-Verify usage.

“Some of the arguments that are made about how it works or does not work don’t carry much water with me. I’ve already used it for several years. It works.”

Last month’s Omnibus Bill extended E-Verify beyond its March expiration date. An amendment from Sen. Jeff Sessions to extend E-Verify for five years was tabled during a floor vote.

For more on this story, see the New Jersey Daily Record.