GRASS ROOTS RALLY TEAM MEMBERS TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF HB 184

Last Wed. June 24 several of us made the trek to Columbus to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee in favor of HB 184 which in part will require Ohio employers to use E-Verify to validate whether their employees are legal residents or not. You can read more about this important bill below.

We just wanted to give you a heads up on what we will be asking YOU to do to help pass this important legislation.

When the House reconvenes in September, after their generous 2 month summer recess, the OPPOSITION will be given a chance to testify before the Judiciary Committee. At that time, since the recess is so long, we will be calling on you to call and e mail the members of this committee to refresh their minds of our testimony in favor of HB 184.

If Ohio passes this law, it will be a huge step forward in fighting illegal immigration in Ohio.

Stand by and stand ready. . . .

House Bill 184
"Employment Verification, Detention and Sanctuary Bill"
Synopsis
The bill would require public and private employers to register and participate in a status verification system to verify the work eligibility of all new employees and to affirm their participation in the status verification system on their20state income tax returns. Failure to affirm their participation in the status verification system on their state income tax returns constitutes falsification or dereliction of duty. The bill would also require jail officials to make a reasonable effort to verify the citizenship of confined persons who have committed a criminal offenseand to notify the Department of Homeland Security in certain circumstances. It also would require judges and magistrates to consider immigration status in determining a defendant’s bail. Finally, the bill prohibits political subdivisions from enacting an ordinance or policy that limits law enforcement officer or other employee from communicating or cooperating with federal officials with regard to the immigration status of any individual within the state - so called "sanctuary policies."
Background
The government's employment verification system, E-Verify, is operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It was created in 1996 as a pilot program in five states, but has now explanded nationwide to over 120,000 employers who have voluntarily signed up for the program. The goal of using E-verify is to screen out undocumented immigrants by matching employee names and birth dates to their Social Security numbers. .Representative Courtney Eric Combs, the sponsor of the legislation, has worked with Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones to bring forth a bill of this nature, which focuses on employers.
Status
HB 184 was introduced on May 19, 2009 by Representative Courtney Eric Combs (R-Hamilton) and is currently in the HOUSE JUDICIARY committee, and has received two hearing (sponsor testimony and proponent testimony hearings). The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Batchelder, Jordan, Wachtmann, Uecker, Bubp, Maag, Adams, J., Derickson, Hall, Martin.