Manchester: Ohio E-Verify Bill Passes the House of Representatives

Bill Would Disincentivize Illegal Immigration

(Lima) – State Representative Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) said the passage of an E-Verify bill through the Ohio House of Representatives brings the state a step closer to having what a former Trump Administration immigration official called "the single most important addition to the immigration toolkit" to stop the influx of individuals entering the country illegally and subsequently locating in Ohio.

House Bill 327 would require Ohio public contractors, subcontractors, and employers with more than 70 employees to use E-Verify, a federal program that determines a worker's citizenship status and eligibility to work.  Former USCIS director Joe Edlow testified in support of the bill, saying that illegal immigration in a state fell more than 50% when a mandatory E-Verify law was implemented.

“Illegal immigration has exploded over the past few years, and it is now impacting communities across Ohio, like ours.  Ohio didn't create this problem, but we need to act quickly to protect our state against what is effectively an 'open border' policy by the Biden Administration,” Manchester said.  "We need to strengthen Ohio law, then enforce the rule of law, to protect Ohio jobs and our communities."

"I’m thankful for the hard work of my colleagues who helped craft this important bill and pass it through our committee and on the House floor," Manchester added.  “It’s encouraging not just for me, but to my constituents, to know that better protections are one step closer to becoming law.” 

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State Representative Susan Manchester is currently serving her third term as a state representative. She represents the 78^th Ohio House District, which encompasses Allen County and a portion of Auglaize County.