We noted earlier today that U.S. Homeland Security posted a new rule requiring federal contractors to use E-verify, effective Jan. 16. Well, evidently, we should have said “many federal contractors,” because in a concession to business groups, only federal contractors doing $100,000 worth of federal work or more will be so obligated. The Washington Post has the story:

In a statement, the Bush administration said it took into account 1,600 comments and made changes “designed to lighten the burden on small businesses who decide to accept federal contracts, and to provide contractors with flexible means of complying with the basic requirement that all persons working on federal contracts be electronically verified.”

Still, critics accused the lame-duck administration, which has made E-Verify a centerpiece of its immigration reform effort, of trying to force through the program before the new Democratic administration takes office.