Business owners learn South Carolina's new immigration law

WTOC
By Jaime Dailey

South Carolina's new immigration law is being called one of the toughest in the nation. Today the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, along with the Hilton Head Area Hospitality Association, the Beaufort Regional Chamber, the Homebuilders Association and the Nexsen Pruett, sponsored a forum to help local business owners understand the new law.

While most of the business owners we talked to today support the law and want the law to work, many are frustrated by all of the unanswered questions that go along with it.

At the forum, frustrations flared as local business owners tried to understand South Carolina's new immigration law. A lot of questions but very few answers.

"It's very confusing," said local contractor, Bob Vita. "All I know is that I'm a guy who wants to abide by the law and I expect others to do so also."

The problem is, this bill was just signed into law earlier this month and it's still pretty new and has a lot of unclear answers.

It's so new, even many of the speakers at today's forum weren't completely sure of all that the law entails.

"There is a lot of unanswered questions," said one of the speakers, Melissa Azallion with Nexsen Pruet. "We have the act but we don't have any regulations interpreting the act, we don't have anything from these agencies talking about the procedures and the process and how they are going to carry out enforcement."

What is clear is what this law is intended to do: crack down on illegal immigration. Employers will have to take extra steps to make sure their workers are here legally such by using an online federal verification program through Homeland Security or a South Carolina drivers license.

While many support the new law, business owners like Chris Hinke are still concerned. "It's putting a lot of pressure and burden on the businesses, particularly small businessmen," said Hink. "I think it's needed but in parallel it needs a guest workers program put in place.

Vita say he's hoping this law does what it's designed to do and levels the playing field in the area.

"I'm hoping this forces some illegal workers out of South Carolina so legal persons such as myself can find work more easily," said Vita.

This law takes effect at different times for different businesses. For example, public employers have to comply by January of 2009, but some private employers don't have to comply until much later.

Speakers at today's forum said while they are still waiting for more clarity on this law, they recommend every business owner to come to forums like this to know what to expect come next year.

Penalties can range from a $100 fine to a lengthy business license suspension.