South Carolina governor signs illegal immigration reform bill

On June 27, S.C. Governor Nikki Haley signed into law S 20, an illegal immigration reform bill. The law is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2012.
The law will require all South Carolina private employers to verify the work authorization of all new hires through E-Verify. Effective Jan. 1, all South Carolina employers must register and participate in the E-Verify federal work authorization program to verify the work authorization of every new employee within three business days after employing a new employee.
Companies that knowingly employ illegal immigrants will face penalties that include suspension and revocation of a business license by the state. Reuters reports that the law will also create a $1.3 million Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit. This unit will serve as a liaison between local police and federal immigration officials.