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Legal Workforce Act

Introduced: September 15, 2011 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 21, 2011
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 13.
Sep 15, 2011
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 14, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.
Sep 13, 2011
Referred for a period ending not later than September 13, 2011, (or for a later time if the Chairman so designates) to the Subcommittee on Social Security, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee concerned.
Sep 12, 2011
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 12, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Legal Workforce Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish an employment eligibility verification system (EEVS), patterned after the E-Verify system. (Eliminates the current paper-based I-9 system.)

Requires an employer to attest, during the verification period and under penalty of perjury, that the employer has verified that an individual is not an unauthorized alien by: (1) obtaining and recording the individual's social security account number, and (2) examining specified documents that establish such individual's identity and employment authorization.

Requires an individual to attest that he or she is a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.

Subjects an individual who knowingly uses the social security number or other identification of another person to fine and/or imprisonment.

Establishes a phased-in EEVS participation deadline (six months to two years) for different categories of employers, including agricultural employers. (Exempts from verification requirements seasonal agricultural workers who return to work for a previous employer.)

Requires reverification of the following workers who have not been verified under E-verify: (1) federal, state, or local government employees; (2) certain employees who require a federal security clearance; and (3) certain employees assigned to work in the United States under a federal or state contract.

Authorizes an employer to voluntarily reverify employees. (Requires any such reverification to be applied to all individuals so employed).

Includes employment recruitment and referral within the scope of EEVS. Requires EEVS use by union halls and nonprofit employment agencies.

Requires EEVS to provide employers with: (1) temporary verification or nonverification within 3 working days of an inquiry; and (2) in the case of nonverification, a final verification or nonverification within 10 working days.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) an employer utilizing a good faith defense, (2) preemption of state or local law, (3) employer penalties, and (4) worker remedies for EEVS errors.

Provides for the establishment of programs to: (1) block the use of misused social security numbers, and (2) suspend or limit the use of social security numbers of victims of identity fraud.

What's happening now September 21, 2011

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 13.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 56
Labrador, Raul
· Nov 15, 2012
Roby, Martha
· Sep 21, 2012
Bishop, Rob
· Sep 10, 2012
R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Jun 20, 2012
STEARNS, CLIFF
· Feb 7, 2012
MATHESON, JIM
· Jan 23, 2012
Boren, Dan
· Dec 16, 2011
MANZULLO, DONALD
· Dec 16, 2011
Shuler, Heath
· Dec 12, 2011
DUNCAN, JOHN
· Dec 6, 2011
Altmire, Jason
· Nov 30, 2011
R
Amodei, Mark E.
Nevada · Nov 29, 2011
Coffman, Mike
· Nov 17, 2011
CRENSHAW, ANDER
· Nov 17, 2011
AKIN, W.
· Nov 14, 2011
BARTLETT, ROSCOE
· Nov 14, 2011
Bonner, Jo
· Nov 14, 2011
Fleming, John
· Nov 14, 2011
HALL, RALPH
· Nov 14, 2011
MICA, JOHN
· Nov 14, 2011
Olson, Pete
· Nov 14, 2011
Sullivan, John
· Nov 14, 2011
R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Nov 4, 2011
JOHNSON, TIMOTHY
· Nov 3, 2011
BURTON, DAN
· Nov 1, 2011
R
Schweikert, David
Arizona · Nov 1, 2011
Hunter, Duncan
· Oct 26, 2011
Granger, Kay
· Oct 12, 2011
Lance, Leonard
· Oct 12, 2011
R
Issa, Darrell
California · Sep 20, 2011
R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Sep 20, 2011
R
Womack, Steve
Arkansas · Sep 20, 2011
R
Carter, John R.
Texas · Sep 15, 2011
CULBERSON, JOHN
· Sep 15, 2011
R
McClintock, Tom
California · Sep 15, 2011
BILBRAY, BRIAN
· Sep 14, 2011
Campbell, John
· Sep 14, 2011
Chaffetz, Jason
· Sep 14, 2011
R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Sep 14, 2011
Palazzo, Steven
· Sep 14, 2011
Rogers, Mike
· Sep 14, 2011
ROHRABACHER, DANA
· Sep 14, 2011
Roskam, Peter
· Sep 14, 2011
ROYCE, ED
· Sep 14, 2011
SENSENBRENNER, F.
· Sep 14, 2011
Marchant, Kenny
· Sep 13, 2011
MCKEON, HOWARD
· Sep 13, 2011
R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Sep 12, 2011
R
Calvert, Ken
California · Sep 12, 2011
Franks, Trent
· Sep 12, 2011
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2885: Legal Workforce Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2885/
MLA
"H.R. 2885: Legal Workforce Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2885/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2885, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2885/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2885: Legal Workforce Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2885/)
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