Virginia E-Verify Mandate for State Contractors and Agencies

Virginia Code 40.1-11.2 requires every state agency to enroll in the federal E-Verify program and to use it to verify employment eligibility of newly hired employees. Contractors with more than 50 employees that enter into contracts of more than $50,000 with state agencies must also enroll in E-Verify and use it for newly hired employees performing work under the contract. Code 2.2-4308.2 reinforces this by allowing debarment of contractors who knowingly employ unauthorized workers. The mandate operates statewide and applies uniformly to public contracting; private employers outside this scope are not required to participate.

Failure to enroll in or use E-Verify as required can result in debarment from public contracting under Code 2.2-4308.2, contract termination, and ineligibility to bid on future state contracts. Knowingly employing unauthorized workers may also trigger federal civil and criminal exposure.