TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Representative Berny Jacques has unveiled HB 197, a legislative proposal aimed at revising the criteria for businesses required to use the E-Verify system. This system is intended to confirm the employment eligibility of workers and is part of a broader initiative to curb the hiring of individuals without work permits.

In a statement from his office, Rep. Jacques emphasized that the bill’s primary goal is to ensure businesses prioritize hiring legally eligible workers over undocumented immigrants, thereby putting American workers first.

The proposed legislation, if enacted, would modify current requirements that mandate businesses with 25 or more employees to utilize the federal employment verification system. Under HB 197, the mandate would extend to all private employers, irrespective of size, compelling them to use E-Verify starting July 1, 2026, and to certify compliance when filing their first tax return of the calendar year.

A release from Jacques’ office further clarifies that HB 197 mandates all private businesses to implement the national E-Verify system to determine the work eligibility of new employees in the United States.

According to a government website, the E-Verify system reviews to confirm employment eligibility by comparing information provided by an employer through an employee’s I-9 form against records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Social Security Administration.

“We have seen so many instances where businesses subvert the law to avoid investing in American workers,” Rep. Jacques said. “It is common sense that employees working for businesses in Florida be legally authorized to work in the United States. This legislation makes it clear: Florida will not be a state that allows our businesses to disregard American workers for the sake of illegal alien labor.”

Rep. Jacques represents State District 59 in the Florida House of Representatives. 

According to the State’s House official website, Jacques, an attorney by formation, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, moved to Florida in 1994 and currently resides in Seminole.

Jacques is currently the Chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee in the State House of Representatives.