E-Verify Repealed in Murrieta

Required use of E-Verify will soon be a thing of the past for employers in Murrieta.

The Murrieta City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday, with Councilman Randon Lane dissenting, to repeal an ordinance that required businesses to check the legal work status of employees through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's online E-Verify system.

The action comes after  

In December 2010, requiring businesses use it as a condition of obtaining a business license.

"The city implemented an E-Verify process at the request of concerned residents and business members, who expressed their opinion that the City Council should do something to ensure jobs go to eligible citizens," said Brian Ambrose, senior management analyst for the city of Murrieta, in a previous email to Patch.

"From the outset, the City Council was outspoken that immigration was a federal issue. Since the federal government seemingly has abdicated their role in this issue, the City Council was simply attempting to do their part to protect the economy in one of the worst hit regions since the recession began," Ambrose said.

They suggested the City Council adopt a resolution encouraging its use, but not requiring it.

"I agree with the staff recommendation," said Councilwoman Kelly Bennett. "To me it is cut and dry we (have got to) repeal it."

Councilman Randon Lane disagreed.

"I have serious issues with the fact that we have three different governing agencies, the federal, the state and local, and we are being put in this position," Lane said. "...We are constantly dealing with it at a local level."

AB 1236 states that E-Verify can still be required by the federal government as a condition to receiving federal funds.

The text of AB 1236 cites various reasons why E-Verify should not be mandated, including that the system doesn’t meet requirements for accurate verification; that it slows down the hiring process; and that it increases the costs of doing business in a difficult economic climate.

Councilman Alan Long reluctantly voted to repeal the local ordinance.

"I absolutely, wholeheartedly disagree with the state on this, but this is a law," Long said.