Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security published in the Federal Register its notice of intent to rescind the Social Security No-Match Rule, marking the end of a long legal and regulatory battle over one of the most controversial immigration enforcement efforts of the Bush Administration.

Originally due to take effect on September 14, 2007, the implementation of the rule was delayed by litigation led by United Fresh, alongside the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Roofing Contractors Association and American Nursery and Landscape Association. The lawsuit was filed on the basis that certain procedures, including an analysis& of the law's economic impact on small businesses, were not followed.

Under the original rule, employers would have been required to act as an enforcement arm of the federal government.  The burden of fines and possible criminal prosecution would have been placed upon growers, labor contractors, and other organizations.