Groups Ask: “Please Protect Our Privacy from E-Verify”

Image source

Sandra Fulton
ACLU

Citing a variety of privacy concerns, a broad coalition of advocacy groups from across the political spectrum including libertarians, consumer groups and privacy advocates sent letters to both the House and Senate Monday opposing a mandatory E-Verify system. Problems with the system include increased identity theft and the danger of a national ID system. The letters include a full list of signatories and in-depth description of the privacy problems with the legislation.

The letters highlight the growing realization that E-Verify will affect all of us. Every American will have to be checked against the government’s error-prone E-Verify database before being hired. The system is so error-prone that an estimated 770,000 Americans would have been wrongly denied their right to work last year alone if the system had been mandatory. And if something is wrong with your record, such as a name change or data error, you will have to wait in line at the Social Security Administration or deal with the Department of Homeland Security to get your record fixed. Sometimes that’s impossible and, if so, you’ll be out of luck and out of work. Rarely does a policy so detrimental to the American people come along as to unite a coalition such as this.

Both the House and Senate are planning to debate this counterproductive and invasive policy this year, and could very well pass it. Let them know that you’re watching and take action here.

Learn more about E-Verify: Sign up for breaking news alerts, follow ACLU on Twitter, and like ACLU on Facebook.