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Illegal-Immigrant ordinance moves forward
BY JEREMY HSIEH, The Beaufort Gazette
Published Tuesday, October 24, 2006
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BLUFFTON -- The Beaufort County Council took the first step in approving an ordinance that would penalize businesses for employing illegal immigrants.

The County Council unanimously approved an illegal-immigration ordinance in a first reading; the measure requires two more votes before being adopted.

Council members Mark Generales and Starletta Hairston urged the public to participate in the policy-making process. He asked the business community in particular for feedback, because the measure penalizes businesses for employing illegal immigrants through the county's business licensing program.

"For God's sake, don't let us do this in a vacuum," Generales said.

A draft of the ordinance is available online at the county's Web site, bcgov.net.