Dallas County, TX Immigration Policy: E-Verify Mandates (2026)
Key Facts
- State mandate
- None for private employers
- TX state agencies
- Required by EO RP-80
- Dallas County workforce
- E-Verify enrolled
- Federal trigger
- FAR contract clause
- Discrimination penalty
- Up to $4,313 federal
Summary
Texas has no statewide E-Verify requirement for private employers. State agencies and contractors must use E-Verify under a 2014 executive order. Dallas County requires it for its own workforce.
Sec. 673.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) 'E-verify program' means the electronic verification of employment authorization program of the federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-208, reprinted in note, 8 U.S.C. Section 1324a), operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security ... Sec. 673.002. VERIFICATION. A state agency shall register and participate in the E-verify program to verify information of all new employees.
Full Breakdown
Federal law mandates E-Verify only for federal contractors under FAR 52.222-54. Texas has no general E-Verify mandate for private employers, but Governor Greg Abbott's 2014 Executive Order RP-80 (since extended) requires Texas state agencies and their contractors to enroll in E-Verify. Dallas County, as a unit of local government, applies E-Verify to its own approximately 7,000 employees and to selected county contracts where the contract terms require it. Private businesses operating in Dallas County, Irving, Garland, Richardson, Carrollton, and other municipalities have no county-imposed E-Verify obligation beyond any federal contract requirement they accept. Use of E-Verify must comply with anti-discrimination rules under federal Immigration and Nationality Act Section 274B.
Violations & Fines
Private employers misusing E-Verify to discriminate by national origin face federal Office of Special Counsel penalties up to $4,313 per violation. Dallas County imposes no separate E-Verify civil penalty on private businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must my Dallas-area private employer use E-Verify?
Does Dallas County check E-Verify before hiring?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas County to another location·View the Texas immigration policy overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.