The following map identifies the states that have taken action against the hiring of illegal aliens by requiring some (or all) businesses to use E-Verify. States in red or orange have taken no steps to curb the hiring of illegal workers who wish to compete for jobs with American workers. States with all other colors have taken some steps to curb illegal hiring. (UPDATED: May. 15, 2023)
Alabama
HB 56 - Passed in 2011, HB 56 is regarded as many as the nation's toughest immigration enforcement law passed at the state level. HB 56 requires all employers, public and private, to use E-Verify by April 2012 to ensure the workplace eligibility of all new hires. It also requires E-Verify use as a condition of being awarded any government contract, grant or incentive. The penalty for noncompliance with the E-Verify mandate is a suspension or revocation of a business license, or loss of a contract, grant or incentive. Back to Top
Arizona
HB 2779/HB 2745 - Passed in 2007, HB 2779 prohibits employers from knowingly hiring undocumented workers and requires all employers to use E-Verify, effective January 1, 2008. It was followed up in 2008 with HB 2745, which prohibits government contracts to any businesses not using E-Verify, effective May 1, 2008. Penalty is suspension or revocation of a business license or contract cancellation Back to Top
California
AB 1236 - In October, 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law AB1236, which prohibits municipalities from enacting or maintaining mandatory E-Verify ordinances. The measure voided a number of ordinances already on the books. Back to Top
Colorado
HB 1343/SB 193 - Passed in 2006, HB 1343 requires prospective state and local government contractors to either use E-Verify or participate in an alternative state program concerning the examination of work documents. It also prohibits state and local government agencies from entering into contracts with employers who knowingly employ illegal aliens. In 2008, SB 193 extended the requirement to existing state contractors and, under the alternative program, established a new requirement to submit for each new hire an affirmation that legal work status was examined. Penalty is contract cancellation and possible debarment. Back to Top
Florida
SB 1718 - Passed in 2023, SB 1718 requires all private employers with at least 25 employees to use E-Verify. Businesses must comply by July 1, 2023, but penalties do not go into effect until July 1, 2024. Failure to use E-Verify for more than three months over a 24-month period will result in a $1,000 fine for every month of noncompliance.
Executive Orders - Effective Jan. 2011, Executive Order (EO) 11-02 requires E-Verify used by all state agencies and contractors assigned to perform work pursuant to a state agency contract. EO 11-116 clarifies that the E-Verify requirement for state contractors applies to "all contracts for the provision of goods and services to the state in excess of nominal value." Penalties include possible denial of future projects. Back to Top
Georgia
SB 529/HB 87 - Passed in 2006, SB 529 requires the phased-in use of E-Verify by public employers, contractors and subcontractors through July 1, 2009. HB 87, passed in 2011, requires all private businesses with more than 10 employees to use E-Verify as of July 1, 2013. Failure to comply could result in the suspension or denial of a business license, occupational tax certificate, or other document required to operate a business in the state. Back to Top
Idaho
Executive Order - In May, 2009, Gov. Butch Otter signed EO 2009-10, which led to regulations requiring all state agencies and contractors to use E-Verify. Penalties include contract cancellation. Back to Top
Illinois
HB 1774/HB 1743/SB 1133 - HB 1744 barred Illinois companies from enrolling in E-Verify pending the resolution of accuracy and timeliness issues. A court case invalidated the bar and led to the enactment of HB 1743, which allows companies to use E-Verify but creates privacy and antidiscrimination protections for workers when employers violate E-Verify procedures. Illinois also enacted SB 1133, which prohibits the state or localities from requiring employers to use E-Verify. Back to Top
Indiana
SB 590 - Passed in 2011, SB 590 requires state and local government agencies and contractors to use E-Verify. The bill also creates a state tax credit incentive for private employers to use E-Verify. Back to the Top
Kansas
Executive Order by the Office of the Secretary of State which has used E-Verify -- and has required all contractors with that office to use E-Verify -- since 2011. But the rest of Kansas state government has declined to follow. Back to the Top
Louisiana
HB 342/HB 646 - Passed in 2011, HB 342 requires all state and local government contractors to use E-Verify. Penalties include contact cancellation and debarment. HB 646 requires public and private employers to either use E-Verify or check and retain acceptable work authorization documents. Those using E-Verify are not subject to civil penalties if an employee is later found to be working unlawfully. Back to Top
Minnesota
Executive Order - In January 2008, Governor Tim Pawlenty issued an executive order requiring E-Verify use by all state agencies and companies seeking a state contract in excess of $50,000. The executive order expired 90 days after Pawlenty left office but a state budget deal subsequently reinstated the state contractor requirement effective July 20, 2011. Back to Top
Mississippi
SB 2988 - Passed in 2008, SB 2988 requires public and private employers to participate in E-Verify by July 2011. Penalties include license suspension and contract debarment. Back to the Top
Missouri
HB 1549 - Passed in 2008, HB 1549 requires all public employers, businesses with a state contract or grant in excess of $5,000 or any business receiving a state-administered or subsidized tax credit, tax abatement or loan to use E-Verify. Penalties include loss of a business license or contract. Back to Top
Nebraska
LB 403 - Passed in 2009, LB 403 requires state and local governments and contractors to use E-Verify effective October 1, 2009. The bill also includes incentives for private employers to use E-Verify. Back to Top
North Carolina
HB 318/SB 1523/HB 36 – Passed in 2015, HB 318 requires all state and local government contractors to use E-Verify. A 2006 bill, SB 1523, requires all state agencies, offices, and universities to use E-Verify by March 1, 2007. Passed in 2011, HB 36 requires all counties, cities and private employers with more than 25 employees to use E-Verify by July 2013. Seasonal workers are not required to be verified through E-Verify. Penalties can include civil fines. Back to Top
Oklahoma
HB 1804 - Passed in 2007, HB 1804 requires public employers, contractors and subcontractors to participate in E-Verify and requires income tax withholding for independent contractors who do not have valid Social Security numbers. Back to Top
Pennsylvania
SB 627 – Passed in 2011, SB 627 requires all public works contractors and subcontractors with contracts of $25,000 or greater to use E-Verify by January 1, 2013. Penalties include debarment. Back to Top
Rhode Island
Executive Orders - In March 2008, Governor Carcieri issued an executive order requiring state agencies, grantees, contractors and their subcontractors and vendors to use E-Verify. Shortly after taking office in 2011, Gov. Lincoln Chafee rescinded Gov. Carcieri's executive order. Back to Top
South Carolina
HB 4400/SB 20 - Passed in 2008, HB 4400 requires the mandatory use of E-Verify for all public and private employers by July 1, 2010. After a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court decision, SB 20 replaced the law’s civil penalties for noncompliance with loss of a business license. Back to Top
Tennessee
HB 1378/SB 1965 - Passed in 2011, HB 1378 requires all public and private employers with more than 6 employees to either use E-Verify or check and retain acceptable work authorization documents. On April 21, 2016, the Governor signed into law SB 1965, which requires mandatory E-Verify use for all employers with 50 or more employees effective January 1, 2017. Back to Top
Texas
Executive Order/SB 374 - In Dec. 2014, Texas Governor Rick Perry issued RP-80, which requires E-Verify use by state agencies and contractors, at least with respect to those employees assigned to the contract. In 2015 Texas enacted SB 374, which requires state agencies and institutions of higher education to use E-Verify as of September 1, 2015. The law did not require state contractors to enroll but the Attorney General issued a subsequent finding that it does not negate the related requirement under Gov. Perry’s executive order. Back to Top
Utah
SB 81/SB 251/HB 118 - SB 81, passed in 2008 and made effective on July 1, 2009, requires public employers, public contractors and subcontractors to use E-Verify and makes it illegal to discharge a lawful employee while retaining an unauthorized alien in the same job category. Penalties include debarment for contractors. Passed in 2010, SB 251 required private employers with 15 or more employees to use E-Verify by July 1, 2011. The measure did not provide for non-compliance penalties or enforcement. In 2011 Utah enacted HB 116, which establishes a state guest worker program but also complicates SB 251’s requirements by creating Verify Utah, an alternate verification program. Technically, the requirement for private employers with 15 or more employees to use E-Verify still exists, but cannot be considered a hard mandate like in other states since there is no enforcement and the guest worker program, lacking a needed federal waiver, was never established. Back to Top
Virginia
HB 737/HB 1859 - Passed in 2010, HB 737 requires all state agencies to use E-Verify by December 1, 2012. Passed in March 2011, HB 1859 (combined with SB 1049) requires all state contractors with at least 50 employees and a contract worth at least $50,000 to use E-Verify. Penalties include debarment for contractors. Back to Top
