http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/n ... 495083.htm

Posted on Fri, Jan. 19, 2007

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C.
Hispanic group threatens to sue over ordinance
In letter, organization cites legality, civil rights, harm to county's image
TIM DONNELLY
(Hilton Head) Island Packet

A Washington-based Hispanic civil rights group is threatening a lawsuit against Beaufort County, S.C., unless the county repeals the illegal-immigration ordinance approved last month.

The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, which has successfully fought laws targeted at immigrants in New York and New Jersey, sent a letter to Beaufort County Council members Wednesday citing concerns about the legality of the measure and the potential for civil rights violations.

The group said it was acting on behalf of local Hispanic leaders, attorneys and business owners.

"A lawsuit would undoubtedly result in nationwide negative publicity which could potentially cripple Beaufort County's tourism industry," the letter said.

When first proposed, the ordinance would have made the county's business license office a clearinghouse for all complaints about employers hiring illegal immigrants. But the final version was less severe, calling for the county to audit businesses in unincorporated Beaufort County to make sure their employment verification documents are legitimate. If there's a problem, the county can suspend a company's business license.

The ordinance came under fire from business owners and Hispanics, who said it was onerous to business owners and discriminatory. Others in the community applauded the county's efforts for finally tackling an illegal immigration problem they say the federal government has neglected.

County Council Vice Chairman Skeet Von Harten, R-Burton, said the letter used "scare tactics" to urge the county to repeal the ordinance. But he said the county built in some time to reconsider the ordinance over the next year. Since the law doesn't go into effect until next January, the county plans to watch how similar cases around the country stand up to legal scrutiny.