Companies in Mississippi soon will be required to use a federal pilot program called eVerify to determine whether potential workers are legal U.S. residents, under a bill Gov. Haley Barbour signed into law Monday.
But shortly after he signed off on Senate Bill 2988, Barbour cautioned that the language needs some alterations, including adding more avenues for companies to check the residency status of new hires.
Key supporters of the legislation say any changes will have to wait until next year though. Immigrants rights advocates say they’ll continue to fight the new law they call a racist attempt to drive Hispanics from the state.
Other critics maintain the bill, along with another one Barbour signed Monday enhancing the penalty for home invasions, could be costly as they will bloat the prisons.
Magnolia Tribune
