ANALYSIS: State E-Verify Bills Languish Despite Immigration Push

The Trump administration has taken many aggressive steps to rein in unauthorized immigration. But one employment tool that policymakers have been seeking to expand upon is proving a tough sell at the state level.

In 2024 and 2025, Republican lawmakers in 18 state legislatures have introduced bills requiring private-sector employers to use the federal E-Verify system. Twelve of those state legislatures are controlled by Republicans. But so far, only one bill has become law, while most have died without making it through even one chamber.

The E-Verify system uses data from the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies ...