A recent investigation revealed that the Social Security numbers of at least 222 Utah children were being used for employment purposes in 2023, raising concerns about child identity theft. The issue came to light when a mother, Jennifer Grizzell, discovered that her 3-year-old son’s Social Security number was linked to wages from years before. This led to an investigation that uncovered a case of infant identity theft dating back a decade before her son was born. The perpetrator had used a forged Social Security number to gain employment, coincidentally the same number given to Grizzell’s son.
In response to the growing problem of identity theft, State Rep. Neil Walter introduced a bill, HB214, Employer Verification Amendments, to tighten requirements for Utah businesses to verify the residency status of their workers using E-Verify. The bill seeks to prevent individuals from using fraudulent identification to obtain employment, with the aim of reducing identity theft cases involving children’s Social Security numbers.
Walter’s bill has received mixed reactions, with some arguing that it could exacerbate workforce deficits in industries like construction and agriculture that employ individuals without proper documentation. Additionally, Walter has introduced another bill, HB178, to address unauthorized immigrants receiving subsidized health care in Utah by eliminating the option for children who are unauthorized immigrants to qualify for the Utah Children’s Health Insurance Program.
While Walter’s bills aim to combat identity theft and unauthorized access to benefits, there are concerns about the impact on industries and individuals who may be affected by stricter verification requirements and eligibility criteria. The debate over E-Verify in Utah highlights the complexities and challenges of addressing identity theft and ensuring appropriate access to services for vulnerable populations.
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