U.S. Senator Katie Britt Leads Mandatory E-Verify Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2026, legislation that would permanently reauthorize the E-Verify program and require its use by all employers in the United States. While the program is already mandatory across a number of states and federal agencies, no national standard exists.

E-Verify remains one of the most efficient and effective tools for verifying employment eligibility and cutting off a major incentive that drives illegal immigration to the United States. Senator Britt's legislation would enhance civil and criminal penalties for employing illegal aliens, strengthen fraud prevention measures within the E-Verify program, and prohibit states from blocking or preventing employers from using E-Verify. Ensuring businesses only hire authorized workers would increase wages by stopping illegal immigration from undercutting American workers.

"If you come to this country illegally, you shouldn't be here to begin with, and you shouldn't be working in the United States," said Senator Britt. "This legislation builds on Republicans' historic success in securing our border after four years of disastrous, America Last policies under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, by eliminating the largest magnet for illegal immigration."

The Immigration and Nationality Act prohibits the employment of illegal aliens, yet one of the primary drivers of illegal immigration is the perceived opportunity to work and seek employment in the United States. E-Verify was originally launched by President Clinton, who after signing the legislation wrote that it "strengthens the rule of law by cracking down on illegal immigration at the border, in the workplace." Despite bipartisan support for its establishment and proven effectiveness, the failure to mandate E-Verify led to historic levels of illegal immigration. According to one recent analysis, 8.3 million illegal aliens were in the American workforce as of 2022. Another study estimates the number had grown to nearly 10.8 million as of early 2025.

"We should enforce the law and ensure jobs go to Americans, not illegal aliens. E-Verify works, evidenced by the more than 43 million times it was used in 2025 alone. This is a common-sense bill that everyone should be able to get on board with, and I will work diligently to usher this legislation through the Senate and get it to President Trump's desk," continued Senator Britt.

The Mandatory E-Verify Act is co-sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).

The legislation is also supported by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), NumbersUSA, Immigration Accountability Project, Heritage Action, and the National Immigration Center for Enforcement.

"E-Verify is a critical tool that will help employers verify the work eligibility of new hires, effectively removing the jobs magnet that attracts illegal labor. Senator Britt's bill will act as an enforcement multiplier, taking pressure off federal immigration authorities by eliminating the primary incentive for illegal immigration at its source. NumbersUSA strongly supports a permanent and mandatory E-Verify system, and applauds Senator Britt's efforts to make that a reality and to bring integrity to our immigration system," said Michael Hough, Co-President of NumbersUSA.

"The Biden administration's failed policies ushered millions of illegal aliens into the United States, including many who continue to live and work unlawfully in the country. The Mandatory E-Verify Act is a commonsense step to secure higher pay and better job opportunities for American citizens, ensure our laws are enforced, and shut down one of the main drivers of illegal immigration. FAIR commends Senator Britt for fighting to hold employers accountable and protect American workers, and looks forward to the bill's swift passage," said Joe Chatham, Director of Government Relations for FAIR.

"Illegal employment fuels illegal immigration, steals American jobs, and undercuts wages. We should not reward unlawful entry into the United States by displacing American workers. The Mandatory E-Verify Act is a commonsense bill that protects the American workforce and disincentivizes illegal immigration," said Chip Wyatt, Government Relations Director for Heritage Action.

You can view the bill text here.

###