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Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 | 2:01 a.m.
Ross Miller
John Ensign
Sun coverage
It’s almost impossible to separate politics from policy. So it was inevitable that Secretary of State Ross Miller’s venture into immigration policy/politics Tuesday would be seen as a possible prelude to a 2012 U.S. Senate run.
Miller, a Democrat, broached the explosive issue with the Board of Examiners, proposing that all state contractors be required to check the citizenship status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system.
The move seemingly came from nowhere, prompting speculation about his political intentions. But Miller denied any motive other than that it was an important thing to do because of the state’s high unemployment rate.
Regardless, Miller seeking out the issue will stoke the perception that the 34-year-old, who just won his second term in statewide office, has higher political ambitions.
By raising the issue, Miller risks alienating some of the liberal base. But Democratic political operatives say polls consistently show broad support for get-tough immigration stances, such as Arizona’s new law.
Miller said he’s not running for anything — right now.
“I haven’t even been sworn into this office yet for my second term,” he said. “Right now, I’m committed to serve my full four-year term.”
Miller traveled to Washington, D.C., recently where he met with E-Verify officials to learn more about the system.
“The criticism of the program is that it was too cumbersome for employers, the process was not workable,” he said. “I was encouraged by the meetings.”
The U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2012 is now held by Republican Sen. John Ensign, who has endured a scandal surrounding his affair with a staffer and assistance he gave to her husband, who also worked for Ensign, to secure lobbying work. He has been cleared of a Federal Election Commission complaint, and the Justice Department has told his attorneys that Ensign is no longer being investigated. A Senate Ethics Committee probe is pending.
Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., has said she is considering a run and will make her decision by mid-February.
Billy Vassiliadis, the influential Democratic political consultant and lobbyist, said he thinks Berkley has the right of first refusal. But, he added, Miller, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Treasurer Kate Marshall are “potentially great statewide candidates.”
“I don’t think they’re going to risk their political careers and have a divisive Democratic primary,” Vassiliadis said, “particularly after witnessing what happened on the Republican side this year.”
In this year’s U.S. Senate race, Republicans couldn’t settle on a top-tier candidate to face Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Sharron Angle won the crowded contest, but emerged unprepared for the initial Reid onslaught, and the GOP remained divided by some of her conservative stances.
So what’s Miller’s motive — policy or politics?
“I think this is one of the times where good politics and reasonable policy can coexist,” said Dan Hart, a Democratic political consultant. “I think it’s a testament to his skill to see that intersection.”
Miller said about 1,400 Nevada companies voluntarily use E-Verify. The federal government requires its contractors to use E-Verify, an executive order issued by former President George W. Bush.
Ross Miller has turned out to be a fine elected official in my opinion, he's thoughtful, asks good questions and he's not afraid to buck the established party positions and take things on. I'm glad he's been re-elected to this post and agree that his future is bright!
The Republicans talk a good line about immigration reform but the truth is they do not want it! They want employers to be able to hire cheap labor, folks that will work for less than minimum wage. They want employers to make all the profit they can.
I hope Miller pushes this to require ALL, yes ALL, Nevada employers verify citizenship or legal status for all employees. The casinos are a huge issue, not just contractors.
Absolutely, this is the most encouraging news I have heard in a very long time. I want to live in Nevada.. I won't while the illegal aliens rule the night in Las Vegas.
I think verifying immigration status at the work place encourages immigrants to do the right thing. By work places, I mean like restaurants, big box stores (Walmart, Target etc.) and so on and so on. Now, when it comes to e-verfying in construction sites and agriculture, well.... if we don't want to see the cost food and construction go up, I'd think about that. Unless big corporations take a small profit lost (which I dont think their greed will let them) to have acceptable wages to offer. I don't see it happening though.
I am so excited, I did background checks on there voting pattern and ideas. Finally at least one person I voted for is doing the right thing hit "their" pocket book then they will leave.
@ RanchoJuan I guess according to you being an unemployed American while a illegal works is so much better for the economy.
I guess according to you being an unemployed American while a illegal works is so much better for the economy.
__________
No, that's not what I mean. I meant "I wish" U.S. corporations would stop being so greedy, and take a small cut in profit and make jobs available for EVERYONE.
This isn't controversial outside the open borders & far left crowds. We should've been checking state contractors long ago. We now need to include ALL employers within the state, with significant DAILY fines for those that don't comply (employers will need to have a copy of a valid NV ID for each employee, and employees will have 30 days from the time they're hired to provide one to their employer). We need to eliminate or at least reduce the attraction for them come here.
Agree to that, then we can talk about renewable NV-only worker ID cards for illegals who can otherwise pass a background check (must have lived here X number of years or more; no criminal record beyond non-violent misdemeanors; must provide full biometric data; and whatever other requirements seem appropriate). ID would simply provide an employer cover for hiring them, not in any way provide for legal immigration status. Local law enforcement would also not have to notify ICE of their arrest in the event they were stopped for a non-violent misdemeanor. I'm not a fan of this approach, I just think we need to get a handle on the thousands who're already here once we pull the welcome mat AND we'll need to give something in order to get anything done in this area.
Take away the ability for an illegal immigrant to find work, produce "anchor babies" and receive social benefits (including education) and there would be no need to beef up border security.
We have already seen a small decline in the illegal immigrant population here because of the lack of jobs. That should say it all about what we need to do to solve the problem.
Only one problem: E-verify's inaccuracy rate for unauthorized workers is 54%. It is wrong only slightly more than half of the time. If you authenticated workers by flipping a coin, your odds of being right would be better than the E-verify system. Nobody will spend the money to make it accurate. E-verify is effective only for political posturing. Hopefully, now that it's inaccuracy is known, it will no longer be effective for political purposes.
"...it was an important thing to do because of the state's high unemployment rate."
HERE, HERE. Some, like Steven Colbert, ridicule concerns that illegals take jobs away from citizens. But I happen to be working for the lowest wages I've experienced in my adult life. Furthermore, I know people who are submitting applications to Taco Bell and the like, and getting turned down. Here are people willing to swallow their pride and accept any job, but the jobs just aren't out there.
I'm sympathetic to those who journey north just in search of a better life. But these folks need to straighten out their own countries, not put downward pressure on wages and take away jobs from citizens in this country.
Thanks for clearing that up. So the intent was there, the understanding was a bit off.
To those who do support the journey north...that is great. I would too as long as they do it the right way. Otherwise they should all grow some.... and do what that 19yr old did and apply for the sheriffs dept. It was in a story a while back about a border town needing a sheriff and the only person who applied was a this girl who wanted to make a change.
Mr. Miller sounds like a man with ethics.