New immigration, driving laws take effect Jan. 1

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 30, 2008


COLUMBIA -- Steps to curb illegal immigration and prevent people from driving drunk are among South Carolina’s new laws going into effect Jan. 1.

Under a sweeping anti-illegal immigration measure signed in June, businesses must verify their new hires are in the country legally. The phased-in requirements start Thursday for businesses of more than 500 employees with public contracts.

To comply, businesses can check their new workers through an online federal database or hire workers with a valid driver’s license from South Carolina or certain other states.

Another law requires repeat drunken drivers to breathe into a device on their steering wheel. If the ignition interlock device shows a blood-alcohol level of 0.02 or higher, the car won’t start.
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