Homeland Security urges use of E-Verify

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Homeland Security Department will give a seal of approval to businesses volunteering to use an electronic program to check workers' immigration status.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Thursday the public should know which companies are following the law. The problem is, the program known as E-Verify is still under development, and the law does not require employers to use it. They are required to use a paper system.

In addition, some businesses that use E-Verify have been found to have hired undocumented workers who used stolen, fraudulent or borrowed documents. ICE announced later it plans to audit the hiring records of another 1,000 employers. The audits are based on investigations and intelligence and include some businesses connected to public safety and national security, ICE said.

About 169,000 of the nation's 7 million employers use E-Verify. Napolitano made the announcement at a meeting with employers about immigration enforcement in Washington.