State to require E-Verify enrollment

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WALA) - All Alabama businesses, regardless of size, must enroll in the federal E-verify program by April 1, according to the Alabama Department of Homeland Security.

Alabama DHS Director Spencer Collier issued a statement Wednesday saying that the move is required to comply with the new Alabama immigration law.

Collier said, “The Alabama Department of Homeland Security is committed to facilitating compliance to Alabama’s new immigration law.”

The requirement applies only to businesses' new hires.

House Bill 56 is a controversial immigration law aimed at reducing the amount of immigrants working and living illegaly in the state through strict regulation.

E-Verify is a federal program which allows businesses to verify the eligibility of their employees to work in the country online.

Collier said “We want the business community to be aware that it is our top priority to assist them in becoming compliant," Collier said.

Collier emphasized the importance businesses going along with the process to the business community as a whole.

"It is absolutely imperative that all businesses complete this process and legally comply," he said.

Alabama DHS is providing assistance to employers to facilitate the process with a link on their website and by opening phone lines at 855-VERIFY-6 for businesses with less than 25 employees.

More information is also available here.