WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) joined Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WW), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), John Thune (R-SD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) to introduce the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act Thursday, a bill that would permanently authorize and expand the E-Verify program, an internet–based system that assists employers in determining whether current or prospective employees are authorized to work in the United States. The bill requires employers to use the program to determine workers’ eligibility.

“The driving force behind illegal immigration is work. America is the land of opportunity—hopefully it always will be. To keep it that way, those who come here to work must abide by our immigration and employment laws. E-Verify is an essential tool for protecting wages and jobs for both Americans and those who come here through the proper processes,” Sen. Lee said.

“Businesses across the country have opted to use the E-Verify system to help them comply with our immigration laws. E-Verify is a proven tool for employers, including myself, that helps reduce incentives for illegal immigration and safeguards job opportunities for Americans and other legal workers. Expanding the system to every workplace will improve accountability for all businesses and take an important step toward putting American workers first,” Grassley said.