ICE has launched an ad campaign to publicly recognize businesses who use E-Verify and participate in the IMAGE program.

The "I E-Verify" campaign kicked off with a public service announcement promoting the use of the E-Verify program. In the ad is a sign that will presumably be displayed at participating companies' places of business. The sign reads: "This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce."

ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton ends the clip saying, "Employment verification: it's the law," but he is not referring to E-Verify, a voluntary program. Only federal contractors, some federal subcontractors and employers in some states are required to use E-Verify. Employment verification, however, is the law. All U.S. employers are required to complete and retain Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for each individual they hire for employment in the United States, including citizens and noncitizens.

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano commented on the "I E-Verify" campaign, saying:

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ALIPAC might think that "several thousand" supporters at its tea parties is "dramatic and encouraging," but those numbers can't compete with the 60,000 people who joined last night's virtual town hall in support of comprehensive immigration reform.

Attendees gathered at more than 1,000 house parties in 45 states and Puerto Rico to listen to the teleconference, hosted by the Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign, featuring Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Rep. Raul Grijalva, and Rep. Nydia Velazquez.

Congressman Gutierrez led the call to action and announced that he will introduce his reform bill in December. He urged listeners to keep the pressure on members of Congress to move forward with immigration reform.

"We need everyone on this call to take action with your churches, your families and your organizations so that we can deliver a strong message to President Obama and Congress that, hey,  it has been a year...We want you to keep your promise to our families.  We'll be watching on the State of the Union to make sure you keep your promise."

You can listen to a recording of the call at Reform Immigration For America.

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

"Only 12 days remain in our funds drive. ALIPAC has never failed to reach our minimum goals before but we are in danger of not reaching the mark unless we receive a new and strong wave of donations immediately."

That desperate-sounding message was posted on the anti-immigrant Americans for Legal Immigration (ALIPAC) website this afternoon and sent via "emergency backup e-mail system." Is one of the largest anti-immigrant groups in the country running out of steam? They may be.

The "Tea Parties Against Amnesty and Illegal Immigration" held this past weekend were not what you'd call a rousing success. "Several thousand" people attended tea parties nationwide, ALIPAC President William Gheen reported, likely the same 5,575 supporters who signed up on the event website. According to news reports, crowds ranged from a few dozen to a few hundred in each of the 53 tea parties held across the country. Those numbers pale in comparison to the thousands of people who typically come out for pro-migrant rallies. Hardly what I'd call "dramatic and encouraging" results.

"Please remember that the $25,000 we must raise by Nov. 30 is our minimal survival operations costs. Anything less and we will not be able to continue our mission into 2010."

What's that? ALIPAC might not be able to continue dehumanizing immigrants through their campaign to "control and reverse America's illegal alien population?" What a pity.

"Our overhead, our costs, need to be reduced. There exists the possibility that we may have to seek a fee increase. We're considering all the options."

- USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. The agency is struggling with a $164 million revenue drop at the close of the 2009 fiscal year. USCIS last raised its fees in 2007.