E-VERIFY

It is essential for many reasons that working-age Arizonans support themselves and their dependents.  Further, it is necessary that they be compensated with a wage commensurate with their service to their employers.  Those that do not work or work at below-market wages end up being subsidized by the remainder of us to our economic peril. 

When persons who are not authorized to work in Arizona occupy jobs here, they displace persons who are authorized.  Further, because they are usually willing to work at below-market wages, their presence in the job market suppresses the wages for everyone else in that field.  Unfortunately, the Arizonans most damaged by the presence of unauthorized workers are those at the lower end of the economic spectrum and in greatest need of public assistance from the taxpayers.

E-VERIFY

It is essential for many reasons that working-age Arizonans support themselves and their dependents.  Further, it is necessary that they be compensated with a wage commensurate with their service to their employers.  Those that do not work or work at below-market wages end up being subsidized by the remainder of us to our economic peril.

When persons who are not authorized to work in Arizona occupy jobs here, they displace persons who are authorized.  Further, because they are usually willing to work at below-market wages, their presence in the job market suppresses the wages for everyone else in that field.  Unfortunately, the Arizonans most damaged by the presence of unauthorized workers are those at the lower end of the economic spectrum and in greatest need of public assistance from the taxpayers.

In 2008, Arizona lawmakers pioneered the mandatory use of E-Verify during the hiring of new employees.  Many patriotic employers have faithfully practiced the use of E-verify, however, and estimated 50% of employers have not.  Unfortunately, this law has not been enforced and, since 2008, the number of employers penalized can be counted on one hand.  Why has the E-Verify law not been enforced?  The answer is obvious.  Many Arizona employers want to suppress the wages of their employees.  Those employees and the persons that they displace then require financial support from the taxpayers.  In other words, those employers want the taxpayers to subsidize their low-cost labor pool.  This is all with the blessing of Arizona politicians who are in-turn supported by the business community special interests.  Who loses, the persons that are deprived of the opportunity and dignity of meaningful employment, the taxpayers that must support them and the employers that do play by the rules.