E-Verify program could force undocumented immigrants out of work

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A controversial new bill could force thousands of undocumented immigrants out of the state of North Carolina.

House Bill 35 would require more small businesses to complete a verification process, known as E-Verify, to ensure their employees are able to legally work in the United States.

[LINK: Protect North Carolina Workers Act]

Manolo Ventancur, who owns an east Charlotte bakery that makes Latin dessert, isn't required to use the system under current state law because he employs fewer than 25 people.

Without E-Verify, some say that undocumented immigrants can easily get jobs with fake documents that are hard for employers to detect.

"You have probably hired undocumented people in the past?” Channel 9 reporter Tina Terry asked Ventancur.

“Yes, absolutely," Ventancur said.

The bill backed by lawmakers from Caldwell, Cabarrus, and Rowan counties, would require smaller business owners with 15 or more employees to use the E-Verify system.

Channel 9 tried to reach the sponsors of the bill, but most never responded.

One told Channel 9 that the bill would protect American workers.  He said it could also save nearly $2 billion spent on education, health care and other benefits for undocumented immigrants.

Some small business owners said the bill could cost them precious time and Ventancur said it would narrow the field of bakers qualified to make Latin desserts.

"If this bill passes, you will close your doors?" Tina asked.

"I will be considering very seriously about closing the doors because it's just not fair," Ventancur said.

He said one concession in the bill excludes farm workers from having to use E-verify. Ventancur said it is hypocritical.

Ronald Bowman, who grows vegetables and tobacco in Caldwell County, said it's hard to find people willing to do farm work.

"How hard is it for you to find an American citizen who is willing to do this this type of work?" Tina asked.

"You just can’t hardly find them at all," Bowman said. "Just because it's seasonal and it's pretty tough work too."

He uses a special program that brings foreign nationals into the United States to fill agricultural jobs.

He believes using undocumented workers is wrong but said he knows his competitors do it.

Ventancur said the system is broken and that immigrants need a clearer path to citizenship and legal employment.

"We believe and we love the American dream. It is harder to find these days, but it's still here,” Ventancur said.

One author of the bill said an exception was made for farmers because North Carolina's agricultural industry is a political force to be reckoned with and it would have pushed back against the bill. The measure passed the House and is currently in a Senate committee.

Cox Media Group