EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — As federal agents increase workplace operations in the borderland, attention is turning to how workers are hired and whether enforcement should focus on job sites or the systems used during hiring.

Over the past month, El Paso has seen multiple reported ICE raids at construction sites.

Those operations have reignited a broader debate over employer accountability and the role of a digital system know as E-Verify.

E-Verify, a federal system that checks a worker’s legal status by comparing information from a new hire’s I-9 form against federal records. The system is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is designed to confirm whether someone is authorized to work in the United States.

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Supporters argue it is a more efficient alternative to costly and disruptive raids. Jeremy Beck, co-president of Numbers USA, said, “We are never going to be able to have set limits on our immigration system if we don’t secure the workplace.”

Local labor unions, including Teamsters Local 745, echo this sentiment. Victor James, vice president of the union, suggested, “Why not go to the HR department and ask for a list of all your employees and check their E-Verify, or check their background checks and hold the employer accountable?”

However, in Texas, the use of E-Verify remains optional for most employers, even though it’s illegal to knowingly hire someone who is not authorized to work. Some states require E-Verify for most private employers, but Texas has not adopted that approach.

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Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union, caution that making E-Verify mandatory could lead to errors and delays for legally authorized workers due to database mismatches. The ACLU warns it could create a “prove yourself to work” system, requiring workers to receive government approval before being hired.

Marisa Limón Garza, executive director of Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, emphasized the real-world impact of these policy debates, stating, “People should not be afraid to go to work because ultimately people need to put food on the table.”

While supporters believe E-Verify could enhance accountability at the hiring stage, critics warn of potential unintended consequences. For now, the system remains optional in Texas.

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