Subject: Re: A Funny Thing Happened In Nebraska
Simply, there are ZERO SSNs that will "pass" E-Verify--unless the valid SSN was actually issued to that worker. So, how would they get a valid SSN issued to them by SSA?<?I>

Ahh, Jerry. Your innocence is refreshing.

I'm not talking about getting an actual SSN in their name. I'm talking about obtaining a name/SSN combo that will pass E-verify. I guess I didn't make that part clear.

You need to think like a mob boss - something that many of us have learned about lately, but I learned about professionally as a CPA early in my training and career. Here's how it works.

The CEO tells the Vice President of operations that they need more workers. And to do whatever it takes to get those workers. (You'll note he doesn't tell the VP to break the law, but doesn't rule it out, either.) If he doesn't get the workers and stay within budget, the VP is going to get fired.

Then the VP tells the floor manager to get more people hired, and do it cheaply. He repeats the suggestion to do whatever it takes. The floor manager talks to the leads of each department that they need more folks, and it's time to refer anyone without an SSN to Guillermo on the other side of town. So the department leads put the word out and do a quick screen of the job applicants. Any that don't already have a SSN are told that the need to go talk to Guillermo to get an SSN. They let the applicants know that Guillermo charges $50 (or $100 or whatever) to assist them with getting an SSN.

No where along this chain does anyone say to do anything illegal. The CEO is removed from the day to day and has no idea what is happening down at the shop floor level. He just knows that they are required to use E-verify and has put that down as part of the company hiring procedure. The VP is likewise removed, perhaps only occasionally checking to see that there are E-verify reports in a sample of employee files. The floor manager only "knows" that Guillermo is a good resource for employees to obtain the necessary paperwork showing work authorization. (Of course, he actually knows what Guillermo does, but carefully makes sure there is no paper trail tying him to any knowledge. The office shredder is one of the most vital pieces of equipment.) The department leads - if their smart - know what's going on, but might still think that Guillermo is actually legit. And of course, the job applicants are so desperate for a job that they'll do whatever it takes to get a good steady job, so they follow the instructions they are given. And they likewise may not actually know they are committing fraud by doing this. They might think this is just how you get a SSN so you can work in the US.

Naturally, it's the job applicants who are most at risk here. Most everyone else has plausible deniability. Of course, everyone in management knows very well what is happening, but is careful to distance themselves from any evidence of knowledge. It's all winks and nods, with nothing written down. So the company gets off scot-free while the workers are the ones to pay the price if things are discovered.

--Peter

PS - This is also why Trump sincerely doesn't know much about what is going on in his administration. He is always careful to have limited knowledge so that others take the fall when things go south.