Iowa House Committee Approves E-Verify Bill
A bill that would require employers in Iowa to use E-Verify passed through an Iowa House Committee on Tuesday. HF 2156 was offered by Rep. Julian Garrett and passed through the Committee mostly along party lines.
Rep. Garrett said the bill would help protect all Iowans "whether native-born Iowans or legal immigrants - who are obeying the law."
Democrats who opposed the Republican-sponsored measure offered to only require state agencies and contractors to use E-Verify. Othes pushed for a measure that would implement payroll penalites to employers who abuse illegal workers instead.
The bill now moves to the House for consideration. This is the first major attempt in Iowa to pass an E-Verify bill.