Federal contractors get a breather from E-Verify

Federal contractors are getting a four-month extension before the E-Verify Registration goes into effect, a law that requires contractors to determine if workers are legally eligible to work in the United States. The controversial measure has been challenged in court by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups. And the Obama administration is postponing the rule so it can be reviewed. Although the requirement had been scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 20, it will be postponed at least until May 21.

"The federal government agreed that the new administration needs time to re-think mandatory E-Verify use, particularly in light of the stressed economy," Robin Conrad, executive vice president of the Chamber's public-policy law firm, said. "We are hopeful that the incoming administration will agree that E-Verify is the wrong solution at the wrong time."

The rule, ordered by President Bush, would affect approximately 168,000 federal contractors. The program allows contractors to electronically submit Social Security numbers for their new hires. If there is no match, contractors have to investigate further to make sure the worker is legal. Contractors argue that this rule is unreasonable because they are required to do extra work to document a worker's citizenship to work.

For more on E-Verify challenges:
- check out this FCW.com article