On June 27, 2011, Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law amendments to South Carolina’s immigration laws, including the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act. The legislation strengthens what was already considered to be one of the toughest immigration reform acts in the country. The new law, which takes effect on January 1, 2012, brings with it new requirements for employers in South Carolina.

New Employment Verification Requirements

For employers, the most significant change contained in the amendments pertains to employment verification procedures. Under the new law, all employers who are required to complete and maintain employment verification forms under federal law must enroll in the E-Verify federal work authorization program to verify the work authorization of every new employee within three days of hiring the employee.