JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Business, labor and civil rights groups are opposing a bill that would require all Missouri employers to use a federal program checking employees’ authorization to legally work in the U.S.

Bill sponsor Rep. Rick Brattin told a House panel Monday that mandating participation in the E-Verify system is a quick and cheap way to ensure employers follow immigration laws. His bill would establish a three-strike system.

Businesses would lose their license the third time someone is hired who is unauthorized to work in the country.

Opponents said immigration is a federal matter, and creating a patchwork of state requirements would damage the business environment.  Nobody testified in favor of the legislation.

A 2008 Missouri law already requires some businesses with government contracts, grants or tax breaks to use E-Verify.