U.S. sues Ill. over immigration law

[almaty 19]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Bush administration is suing Illinois over a new state law it says complicates federal efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

The Illinois law would prevent employers from participating in a federal program that verifies whether workers are legally authorized to work in the United States until a federal database is more accurate.

The U.S. attorney's office for central Illinois filed the lawsuit Monday, asking a federal judge to block implementation of the law.

The voluntary federal program, created by Congress in the mid-1990s, helps companies verify employees' identity and employment eligibility in an effort to reduce the hiring of illegal immigrants.

The new Illinois law, approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich last month, bars companies from participating in the program unless they get notice of workers' ineligibility within three days in 99 percent of cases. It is to go into effect Jan. 1.

The lawsuit contends the 750 Illinois employers participating in the program would essentially be excluded because of the stricter notification requirement. The government now advises employers of eligibility within a day in about 93 percent of cases, the lawsuit states.

The Illinois law "frustrates our ability to assist employers in making sure their work force is legal," said Carl Nichols, a deputy assistant U.S. attorney general.

A spokesman for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said the office was still reviewing the federal complaint.

[Heracles 417]

About time. I am sick of states here acting as they see fit; Irrespective of the consequences to the country.

[almaty 19]

The Illinois law would prevent employers from participating in a federal program that verifies whether workers are legally authorized to work in the United States until a federal database is more accurate.

i think, illinois wants an accurate federal database period...the gov't as usual, has not lived up to their end in this matter..and needs to make certain their database is accurate

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

[almaty 19]

Pogo....about viet nam.......... could be used for the iraq war too

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

Pogo....about viet nam.......... could be used for the iraq war too

can be used in a lot of situations we americans find ourselves in, even illegals.

[almaty 19]

Pogo....about viet nam.......... could be used for the iraq war too

can be used in a lot of situations we americans find ourselves in, even illegals.

i agree....it was a great statement ...the guy had allot of insight..and his pogo cartoons tackle allot of different areas..

[eau_xplain 2]

The new Illinois law, approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich last month, bars companies from participating in the program unless they get notice of workers' ineligibility within three days in 99 percent of cases. It is to go into effect Jan. 1.

The lawsuit contends the 750 Illinois employers participating in the program would essentially be excluded because of the stricter notification requirement. The government now advises employers of eligibility within a day in about 93 percent of cases, the lawsuit states.

Aside from accuracy of the database, Illinois is seeking timeliness of response. I think this is just fair to the employers and the prospective employees themselves.

[almaty 19]

The new Illinois law, approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich last month, bars companies from participating in the program unless they get notice of workers' ineligibility within three days in 99 percent of cases. It is to go into effect Jan. 1.

The lawsuit contends the 750 Illinois employers participating in the program would essentially be excluded because of the stricter notification requirement. The government now advises employers of eligibility within a day in about 93 percent of cases, the lawsuit states.

Aside from accuracy of the database, Illinois is seeking timeliness of response. I think this is just fair to the employers and the prospective employees themselves.

i agree...illinois is holding the Feds accountable..like they hold the employers accountable..