Ken Calvert: “I rise in support of H.R. 2359, the Basic Pilot Extension Act of 2003. The basic pilot employment verification system is…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2359, the Basic Pilot Extension Act of 2003. The basic pilot employment verification system is the only system offered to employers to verify employment eligibility for new employees. In 1994, I spoke with a Border Patrol agent who identified a key need in the enforcement of immigration laws: Employers need a simple and reliable tool to verify the worker status of new employees. In response, I introduced a bill to create the basic pilot program to do just that, operate in six of the most problematic States on a voluntary basis. The basic pilot program has proven to be an overwhelming success. The basic pilot program is the best tool available for employers to comply with immigration laws which prohibit hiring undocumented immigrants. Recently, a contract cleaning service for Wal-Mart was raided by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and over 250 employees were arrested. If Wal-Mart's cleaning service contractors had used the basic pilot program and verified the I-9 documents provided by their workers, this could have been avoided. We must provide companies the option of using this employment verification program and assist them in complying with Federal immigration law. Without this system, employers have no means of verifying legal work status for immigrants, causing many employers to discriminate against legal workers.”