Want business license in Cherokee? Swear you’re legal
By NANCY BADERTSCHER



Friday, April 17, 2009

Cherokee County has become the latest metro county to keep business licenses limited to legal residents.

Last Monday, the county began requiring applicants for business licenses and renewals to sign an affidavit, saying they are in the U.S. legally.


• Cherokee County news At least two other jurisdictions — Cobb and Gwinnett — have imposed similar requirements based on the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act. That law, which was passed by the state Legislature in 2006, prohibits taxpayer funds from going to illegal workers.

Buzz Ahrens, chairman of the Cherokee County Commission, said the county didn’t have much option.

“The state Legislature said it would cut off all funding if we didn’t do it,â€