On Dec9,2005 the House Judiciary Committee passed HR 4437 Amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act. This bill was filed by House Judiciary Chairman F. James Sensen­brenner Jr. (R-WI), it in­cludes a provision that requires employers to screen new hires for employment eligibility.  It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish and administer a verification system which establishes a method to compare the name and social security number provided in an employer inquiry against the database maintained by the So­cial Security Commission.

 The bill would make it mandatory for employers to check all hires within the next six years. The legisla­tion increases penalties for employers who fail to seek verification of employment eligibility or knowingly employ illegal immigrants. The maximum fine for first-time viola­tion will be increased from $10,000 to $25,000. The bill will now be sent to the full Senate. Landlord2Landlord will keep members informed as this legislation develops.