Florida bill would require every business to use E-Verify to certify employment eligibility

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Representative Berny Jacques introduced HB 197 , which aims to change which businesses are required to use the E-Verify system to prove eligibility for employment, as an effort to reduce the employment of immigrants without permits to work.

For Rep. Jacques, the legislation is designed to ensure that "businesses are held accountable in hiring eligible employees and not illegal aliens, which puts American workers first," a public statement from the representative's office reads.

If passed, the bill would impact statutes currently establishing that businesses with 25 or more employees are required to use the federal employment verification system. With HB 197, every private employer would be required to use E-Verify and certify that the business complies with its fi