The governor explained that “it’s long-standing federal law that, in order to be eligible for employment, you have to be here lawfully. Maybe you’re a U.S. citizen, maybe you’re a lawful permanent resident, maybe you’re on a visa, whatever. But you have to fit in one of those legally prescribed categories.”

E-Verify is a federal, internet-based system meant to help employers ensure that they only hire people legally eligible to work in the United States by checking records against government databases.

In a statement supporting the governor’s initiative, Florida Senator Joe Gruters said that the proposed E-Verify requirement “will protect Florida workers against unfair job competition and wage depression.”