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SALT LAKE CITY -- Federal officials say only four of 29 counties in Utah have registered to use the government's electronic system to verify if employees are legally allowed to work in the United States.
Utah required its government agencies to use the E-Verify program eight months ago, but there are no penalties for not complying.
Still, lawmakers and watchdogs alike are upset that many government entities aren't following the controversial immigration law, SB81.
The group Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement (UFIRE) says there is no excuse. "We found that there is very minimal compliance," said Chairman Robert Wren.
He says UFIRE has sent letters to the 22 school districts that haven't enrolled in e-verify to check their employees' citizenship.
"A lot of them responded back immediately, 'We weren't aware of this,'" he said.
School districts and counties aren't the only ones. Dozens of cities aren't enrolled either.
A Latino activist tells the Salt Lake Tribune they don't know many illegal immigrants working for the state, so it's doubtful the law makes much difference.
Sen. Scott Jenkins is among several Utah senators who have been discussing what needs to be done to make sure Utah government agencies comply with SB 81.
"We've gone out of our way, I feel like this last year, to make sure they understand the rules and what they are supposed to be doing," said Jenkins.
He says soon there will come a point that lawmakers will no longer just sit back and hope agencies comply.
"As we find out who is fulfilling their obligation and who is not, then we'll decide what to do," said Jenkins.
He says if there are still Utah government groups not verifying their workers by this time next year, there will be serious talks about implementing punitive measures.
Jenkins also says they've been in talks with the attorney general's office, which will be making greater efforts to get more groups on board with using the E-verify system.
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Story compiled with information from Randall Jeppesen, Andrew Adams and The Associated Press.
