SC illegal immigration law could negatively impact businesses

The ACLU is suing to stop South Carolina's illegal immigration law. The law requires police to check suspect’s immigration status and mandates that businesses check their new hires through a federal online system. Some neighboring states with immigration laws already in effect have experienced backlash from residents. 

This week, Alabama businesses dependent on immigrant workers were impacted as employees took the day off to protest the state's anti-immigration law. In Alabama, the new law has created reported work shortages and legal concerns. Minority rights advocates in South Carolina said they have concerns about what will happen if the law goes into effect next year.

"We are opening up an avenue for racial profiling and harassment because contrary to popular belief not all immigrants are here illegally" said Miriam Berrouet, board member South Carolina Commission of Minority Affairs".Republican Thad Viers, District 68, said the new law is needed."We need to protect our American citizens first. If immigrants want to come here they need to come through legal channels like everyone else has" said Viers.

South Carolina's new illegal immigration law is expected to take effect in January. Area leaders said if protests happen along the Grand Strand it could have a negative effect on businesses."You can look at all sorts of nationalities that have really become important to the hospitality industry over the last decade" said Marc Jordan, North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Foreign born workers along the Grand Strand contribute in large numbers to the state's $14 billion tourism industry. Jordan said he doe not believe the immigration law would cause much backlash, if it is passed.

"With hundreds of thousands of people out of work I don't think that would last very long" he said. "We have lots of overeducated people who are looking for work."In Alabama and Georgia, farmers are being faced with work shortages, and according to them, Americans are not stepping up to fill the agriculture jobs left open by immigrants fleeing the state or being deported as a result of the new laws.South Carolina's law would also require local police to check the legal status of people they stop for any violation if there's reason to believe they could be here illegally.