May 1, 2008 8:40AM 

# AZ-Verify 

By [Jim Harper](https://www.cato.org/people/jim-harper) 

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Arizona’s law requiring employers to use the federal government’s “E‑Verify” system to check workers’ immigration status has employers there “[confused by the law’s requirements](http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2008/05/01/20080501biz-everify0501.html) and ‘terrified’ at the prospect of losing their business licenses if they run afoul of its provisions,” according to a local chamber of commerce official.

My recent paper on electronic employment verification calls it “[Franz Kafka’s solution to illegal immigration](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9256).”

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