Comptroller Don Huffines is requiring E-Verify and full compliance with U.S. immigration law for all entities receiving state grant money.
It’s a position his Democrat successor, however, is unlikely to continue.
According to the comptroller’s office, the new rules ensure taxpayer dollars are not subsidizing the hiring of unauthorized workers or supporting organizations that do not heed federal immigration law.
“Texans work hard for their money, and their tax dollars will never subsidize illegal aliens taking jobs from Texans,” said Huffines. “If you want state funding, you will verify every hire and follow federal immigration law. This helps ensure legal workers get fair wages.”
E-Verify is an online system that allows employers to confirm employment eligibility of their employees. The Social Security Administration and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers it.
Federal immigration law prohibits the hiring or continued employment of a known illegal alien.
Huffines’ new rules require every entity receiving state grant funds to certify that it will:
- use E‑Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all applicable personnel.
- not knowingly employ unauthorized workers.
- maintain strict compliance with all federal immigration laws for the entire term of the grant.
- immediately notify the comptroller’s office upon discovering any violation of employment eligibility or immigration compliance.
The requirements will be standard terms in new grants administered by the comptroller’s office. Solicitations and agreements will include the E-Verify and immigration-compliance certifications.
Immediate-termination authority will enforce the certification.
According to the comptroller’s office, the new requirements are the “latest in a series of new standard terms Huffines is writing into Comptroller contracts and grants to protect taxpayers and enforce Texas law. More will be announced in the coming weeks.”
Democrat Comptroller-elect Sarah Eckhardt has expressed opposition to requiring work authorization for illegal aliens.
In February 2026, she wrote a letter opposing Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s proposal to require proof of legal presence and work authorization for individuals seeking a professional license from TDLR.
Texas Scorecard reached out to Eckhardt’s team to ask whether she intends to maintain or reverse the new requirements when she takes office in January. No response was received before publication.
Eckhardt will take office in January 2027.
