2008 News Releases
State Offering Training in Your Community on New State Illegal Immigration Law
The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) has scheduled training sessions at technical colleges across the state in December and January to help employers understand and know how to comply with the new state immigration law.
Governor Mark Sanford, on June 4, 2008, signed into law the "South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act". In addition to complying with I–9 requirements, all employers are required to verify the legal status of employees. One way to do so is through the Department of Homeland Security's online database called E–verify; another is to determine that the employee has a South Carolina driver's license or other government issued identity document. The statute also sets penalties, including fines and loss of business licenses, for failing to get verification and for knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant.
LLR will investigate complaints and randomly audit companies. However, according to the provisions of the law, the agency cannot accept and investigate complaints or conduct audits until July 1, 2009, at businesses employing 100 or more workers, and July 1, 2010, at businesses employing less than 100 workers.
A Web site, www.llr.state.sc.us/immigration, is available to assist employees, employers and others affected by the law. Visitors can review the law, get updates as regulations are drafted, review frequently asked questions and learn about future training in their area. There are also links to other state agencies with responsibilities under the law.
Seating will be limited at each technical school, so LLR is asking employers to consider sending only one representative.