HF2608: Immigration Status Checks

Requires state agencies and regents institutions to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm employment eligibility for new hires. It creates a SAVE program clearinghouse within the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing to verify citizenship/immigration status for professional licensing, mandating denial or revocation for individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. The bill disqualifies unauthorized aliens from voter registration and requires a new oath on voter registration forms. It also extends the statute of limitations for election misconduct in the first degree. For pretrial detention, the bill establishes rebuttable presumptions against bail for those charged with forcible felonies and for unauthorized aliens charged with indictable offenses.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Mandates use of E-Verify by state agencies and regents institutions to confirm employment eligibility for all new hires.

• Establishes a SAVE program clearinghouse to verify citizenship and immigration status for all professional license applicants, requiring denial/revocation if lawful presence cannot be verified.

• Licensing boards must use the SAVE clearinghouse and cannot issue or renew professional licenses for individuals not lawfully present in the U.S.; appeals go to the department director.

• Adds 'unauthorized alien' as a defined term for voting and licensure disqualifications; unauthorized aliens are disqualified from voter registration and voting.

• Requires new voter registration oath affirming U.S. citizenship, with penalties for false statements including potential deportation and criminal liability.

• Extends the statute of limitations for prosecution of election misconduct in the first degree from three to five years.

• Creates a rebuttable presumption against bail for persons charged with forcible felonies; such persons may be detained without bail unless they can rebut the presumption.

• Creates a presumption against bail for unauthorized aliens charged with indictable offenses, requiring them to demonstrate that conditions of release will ensure court appearance.