ACP Pubs

Christina Fisher

Governor Sanford Signs Immigration Reform Bill
June 26, 2008

Governor Mark Sanford signed H.4400 on June 4, giving South Carolina some of the toughest laws in the country in cracking down on illegal immigration.

The primary feature of the bill is the implementation of the e-verify system, which requires employers to verify the legal status of employees through the Department of Homeland Security or with a South Carolina driver’s license. The bill also contains enforceable penalties –including fines and loss of business licenses – for failing to get that verification or for knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant.

Highlights of the bill include:

• Authorizes SLED to enter into agreements with U.S. Depts. of Justice and Homeland Security that allow state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. It also establishes a hotline, website, and database for reporting and tracking alleged violations of immigration laws. In addition, it requires jails to verify legal status of inmates.
• Requires state and local agencies to verify lawful status of anyone over the age of 18 who applies for public benefits, with some exceptions for emergency-related situations.
• Allows local governments to pass stricter immigration laws, but prevents local governments from prohibiting law enforcement from enforcing state or federal immigration laws.

Posted by Christina Fisher on June 26, 2008 | Comments (0)