Minnesota Stimulus Bill Includes E-Verify Provisions
The Minnesota State House passed a $1 billion stimulus bill that includes an E-Verify amendment, mandating state contractors who will receive money through the bill to use the system. The amendment was offered by Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) and was approved 107-to-25 before the bill's final approval.
“Are we creating jobs for Minnesotan citizens or are we creating jobs for illegal aliens?” asked Emmer. “It’s a reasonable requirement,” he said.
A vote on an oral amendment to soften Emmer's amendment failed to gain approval.
The State Senate has already passed the bill without the E-Verify amendment included, so it will need to survive a conference committee that will resolve the differences between the two bills before heading to Governor Tim Pawlenty's desk for final signature.
Ten states have enacted mandatory E-Verify bills, and three have executive orders in place requiring its usage. Several other states have bills working their way through the legislative process, including Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, and Indiana.
View a map of states with mandatory E-Verify laws in place.