A Critical Analysis of Mandating E-Verify in the U.S.

The question of whether the Trump Administration should have made E-Verify mandatory for all employers in the U.S. has garnered significant attention, especially from those opposed to the policy. Some might argue that the move aligns with the administration's broader immigration policies, yet there are several hurdles that make such a mandate unfeasible.

The Impact on the Trump Administration

The primary reason behind the administration's reluctance to mandate E-Verify is the potential impact on employment at Mar-a-Lago and his other resorts and hotels. Implementing the system would mean losing a significant number of service employees, which could have repercussions on the administration's political and economic interests.

The Limitations of E-Verify

E-Verify is far from a panacea, as it is subject to significant errors and potential manipulation. The system was not designed to act as an immigration tracking system but rather to verify one's legal work status. It purports to ensure that individuals are legally authorized to work, but the reality is quite different. The data it uses comes from various sources, some of which may contain inaccuracies, thereby rendering the system unreliable.

Even if E-Verify were implemented on a mandatory basis, it would not effectively address the issue of illegals obtaining work credentials posing as legal employees. Redesigning and actually implementing a new, robust immigration tracking system would be a monumental task, one that goes beyond the scope of simply using E-Verify.

Business Hesitation and Political Dimensions

Many businesses, particularly those in agriculture, have expressed concerns about fully staffing their operations at current wage and benefit levels if forced to use E-Verify. Other industries that resist E-Verify are often owned or operated by individuals who strongly identify as Republicans. This political dynamic has played a significant role in allowing exceptions for using E-Verify, even when the majority holds Republican control over the House and Senate.

The economics of E-Verify

Lastly, the economic feasibility of using E-Verify is a critical consideration. There are costs associated with the program, including the time and resources required to ensure its proper operation. The cost of running the system might be prohibitive for some businesses, making it an impractical solution.

The use of E-Verify is more of a symbolic gesture than a practical solution to illegal immigration. The bandaid nature of the system suggests that significant reform is needed to effectively address the issue of unauthorized employment in the U.S.

While it may be desirable to have a robust system in place, the current reluctance to invest in the robustness and reliability of E-Verify reflects the complex interplay of economic, political, and practical considerations involved.