Utah House committee members recently rejected a proposal to require E-Verify for small companies, highlighting the complex economics of immigration and labor in the state. The bill would have returned the state’s E-Verify policy to its pre-2022 version, but agriculture and construction lobbyists argued that it would hurt their ability to hire new employees.
For businesses like McMullin Orchards, which relies on 40 H-2A seasonal workers from Mexico, the bill could have had disastrous consequences. Rising costs and workforce shortages have made the farm’s future uncertain, with owner Robert McMullin warning that they may have to shut down if forced to comply with stricter E-Verify requirements.
Lawmakers who voted against the bill cited practical economic realities, arguing that private businesses should not be tasked with enforcing federal immigration policies. The bipartisan blockade was driven by concerns that the bill would burden law-abiding businesses without effectively deterring unauthorized employment.
While the debate over E-Verify continues, business owners like Spencer Gibbons stress the need for comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level to address the challenges faced by industries like agriculture and construction. Without a clear pathway for legal foreign workers, businesses are left grappling with an inadequate patchwork of state policies.
Moving forward, Utahns can expect the E-Verify issue to resurface in future legislative sessions, along with other immigration-related proposals. Activists like Liliana Bolaños emphasize the importance of focusing on more effective legislation at the state level until Congress provides a viable solution for immigrants seeking lawful status.
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