The Department of Homeland Security is seeing an increase in employer use of the controversial program, E-Verify, according to USA Today. In the first six months of this year, 5.5 million checks have been made by employers through the free E-Verify online service. In 2008, there were 6.6 million checks for the entire year.

But there is a long way to go. Approximately 130,000 employers participate in the program, a tiny fraction of the 6 million businesses that employ more than 115 million people in the United States, according to the newspaper. Despite this small glimmer of success, the Obama administration postponed--for the fourth time--a requirement that all companies with federal contracts use the program to verify work status of employees.

The requirement is now scheduled for Sept. 8. However, many civil rights organizations say the program is prone to errors and threatens civil liberties. Right now, it's unclear whether or not it will succeed, even with the administration's unwavering support.

For more on E-Verify:
- check out this USA Today article [1]