Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) signed legislation on May 13 that expands state requirements to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of employees. It also closes a loophole for project worker identification and sets severe penalties for violations.
Building on previous state rules that required public owners and public-works contractors to use E-Verify, the new law expands mandates to all businesses with more than 10 employees. The new rules will take effect on Jan. 1 for employers with 500 or more full-time employees; on July 1, 2012, for those with between 100 and 499 workers; and one year later for those with between 11 and 99 staffers. “What we’ve done is create a level playing field for all employers,” said Deal in a statement.