Thread: Input solicited on new laws over illegal immigration in S.C.

Posted on Fri, Aug. 22, 2008
Input solicited on new laws over illegal immigration in S.C.
By NOELLE PHILLIPS

State seeks comment from employers, workers

Employers and workers who want to have a say in how the state’s new immigration laws will be enforced have their chance.

The S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is accepting public comment as it develops policies for enforcing a new law that requires all businesses to verify their workers’ legal status, said Jim Knight, a department spokesman. The department is publishing notices today in the S.C. State Register to ask for public comment.

LLR also is seeking public comment on the requirement for anyone offering immigration assistance services to register with the department, Knight said.

The state’s first immigration law became official in June after legislators spent more than two years debating ways to curb the state’s illegal immigrant population. Lawmakers decided to place tight regulations on private businesses, saying most illegal immigrants move to the state to work. Lawmakers hope the crackdown on businesses forces illegal immigrants to move elsewhere to find jobs.

The employee verification requirements will begin in three phases:

• Jan. 1: Companies who hold state and local government contracts must verify their employees are legal workers.

• July 1: Companies who employee 100 or more workers must verify legal status.

• July 1, 2010: Businesses with fewer than 100 workers must comply.

The law made LLR responsible for investigating complaints against private businesses who are accused of hiring illegal immigrants, and the department has been ordered to conduct random audits of businesses employment records.

LLR must write a policy for how it will investigate and audit companies and how records must be maintained, Knight said. The agency also has to set up penalties and must create an appeals process, he said.

“We want people to give us input as to what they would like to see and what their concerns are,â€

Could be immediate laws? The problem is a over 30 year problem.

Landlords that rent to the illegals are aiding and abetting