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Illegal Immigration Reform Act draft adopted
A Senate subcommittee adopted a draft of the State of South Carolina’s Illegal Immigration Reform Act on December 12, 2006. This bill would require all government hired contractors and subcontractors to participate in DHS’ Basic Pilot program or a similar version of the program. The Basic Pilot verifies that Social Security Numbers match the name given by a job applicant using Social Security Administration databases.
The bill would also add tax requirements for businesses that employ illegal workers and grant power to state and local law enforcement to act as immigration officers. The bill contains provisions that would “disallow a deductible business expense under certain circumstances unless the person employed is an authorized employee”.
If adopted, the portions of the bill requiring Basic Pilot or the equivalent for state contractors and subcontractors would be scheduled to go into effect in July of 2007 for employers of 500 or more workers. Smaller employers would be phased in over the course of several years.
Opposition to the bill from businesses and the State’s Hispanic community is expected. The Lookout Monitor will continue to follow the developments in South Carolina and add updates as the situation progresses.