I apologize for not updating in a while, particularly with a video blog. My intent is to move the video blog day away from Fridays, which can be very hectic as I try to catch up the workweek at my day job. (Also, I get to dress down on Fridays, and I’d like to be able to do so without worrying about how I look on camera…)
So, enjoy the long weekend, and please accept my apologies for not updating.
I’ll post a new video blog on Tuesday and hopefully continue to do so regularly.
Annoucements
Yesterday, I voted against the e-verify bill. I did not take an ideological stance against the bill so much as a technical one. The two major factors that I see are:
- The e-verify program’s uncertain future. Currently, the database and system are not funded. The Obama administration has stated that they’ll make a decision on the system at the end of this month—it would have been nice to be able to vote on a system that we know the federal government is going to back. Until they make it official, this is a potential unfunded mandate.
- Identity theft. The e-verify system does not detect identity theft, it just assures that a name and SSN go together and are legit. There is no means to verify that someone is indeed who they say they are. Identity theft is already rampant in this digital era—so if any valid name and SSN combo will get you through the system, we are going to see more and more cases like this one.
I also received many emails like this one from concerned citizens and small business owners:
· COST to SMALL BUSINESSES – This will adversely affect ALL businesses in RI and imposes just one more obstacle to doing business here. Implementation and training, as well as time spent paying staff people while they appeal inaccurate information, will be costly to businesses both small and large. One small business in MD refused to implement the program saying that it would cost an additional $27k per year in administrative costs.
· ERROR RATE – To operate E-Verify, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will rely on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) database, which has been identified as a source filled with over 17.8 million errors, many related to name, date of birth or citizenship status.
· DISCRIMINATION – The system has major faults, as it often inaccurately identifies immigrants and U.S. citizens as not being “employment-eligible.” This will, in some cases, prevent qualified, documented immigrants and U.S. citizens from getting jobs and will unfortunately encourage discrimination among employers.
· MARRIED/DIVORCED WOMEN – Potential and current employees are likely to be faced with erroneous results of the E-Verify system, especially those who have immigrated here or changed names after a marriage or divorce. This means it is another piece of legislation that will affect everyone, but unfairly target the immigrant population.
I did not speak out against this measure on the house floor out of respect for its sponsor, my colleague from Woonsocket. But I want to go on record with you, my constituents, about why I voted the way that I did…
Press Releases
