William F. Smith: “the Basic Pilot Program was originally authorized in the 1996 Immigration Act. It allows employers in six states to…”

“the Basic Pilot Program was originally authorized in the 1996 Immigration Act. It allows employers in six states to verify the validity of the Social Security numbers of new hires. H.R. 2359 reauthorizes this program, and expands it to allow employers in all fifty states to voluntarily participate in the Basic Pilot Program. The program offers employers the opportunity to ensure that the individuals they hire are eligible to work in the United States. Illegal immigrants drive down wages and take jobs from American workers. Recent studies show immigration has depressed the wages of American workers by more than $2,500 per year. Our education systems spend millions of dollars educating illegal immigrant children. And hospitals spend millions of dollars providing health care to illegal aliens. Ninety percent of the American people believe that we should reduce illegal immigration. Seventy-nine percent of individuals polled recently agree that the Federal government should require employers to verify the work status of potential employees. The main attraction for the 10 to 20 million illegal aliens who have crossed our borders is work. If we want to stop illegal immigration-- and its negative impacts--we must reduce the availability of jobs for illegal aliens. This pilot program combats illegal immigration because it allows employers to make sure they are hiring someone who is eligible to work in the United States.”