Immigration bill clears House

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House of Representatives voted to pass the Florida Immigration Enforcement Act on Thursday, requiring that Florida's employers vet all employees through the federal government's E-Verify system.

The bill requires all Florida businesses to use the E-Verify system for its employees by July 1, 2013. Companies with 100 or more employees will be required to comply a year earlier.

Bills recently filed by Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, and Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart had set Jan. 1, 2012 as the deadline for E-Verify compliance, with no phase-in period for smaller companies.

Government Editor Jay Brady's story in this week's issue of the Business Review profiles the E-Verify system, those who support the system and those who oppose it within Florida, and how other states utilize the system.