Businesses to be warned about illegal immigrants

[Jeanfromfillmore]

TEMECULA: Businesses to be warned about illegal immigrants
Applications for Temecula business licenses soon will include warnings not to hire illegal immigrants.
A report on the warnings is part of the agenda for tonight’s City Council meeting.
The warning states that, while business are no longer required to use E-Verify, “federal law still prohibits employers from knowingly employing an undocumented worker.”
Businesses can still voluntarily use E-Verify, the warning added. The city will be sending out business license paperwork this month and in January.
The warnings are Temecula’s response to a new California law that forbids California cities from requiring businesses to use E-Verify, a federally run electronic database created to ensure that employees can legally work in the United States.
Since last year, Temecula had required business license holders to use E-Verify to check new hires. Council members last month blasted the state’s E-Verify prohibition and refused to repeal the city law, although the council instructed staff not to enforce it.
Councilman Mike Naggar suggested the warning, which was drawn up by City Attorney Peter Thorson. The warning will allow Temecula to comply with the new state law while reminding employers to follow federal law, a city report stated.
Also tonight, the council is set to review a plan to distribute $60,000 in grants to 13 nonprofit organizations.
Thirty-six groups sought $167,100. In recent years, the council has placed on emphasis on awarding grants to groups offering food, clothing, shelter and medical care to the community.
The council also is scheduled to choose a mayor and mayor pro tem for 2012. Following council tradition, Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Washington is expected to be mayor and would take over for Ron Roberts.
Tonight’s meeting will be the last for City Manager Shawn Nelson, who is retiring Dec. 31. Assistant City Manager Bob Johnson is being promoted to the post.
The 7 p.m. meeting is at City Hall, 41000 Main St., Temecula.
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