A company that knowingly hires illegal immigrants could lose its business license under a county law given final approval Wednesday evening.
Beaufort County Council unanimously approved the local law, dubbed the "Lawful Employment Ordinance," 9-0, following a public hearing. It is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2008.
Under the ordinance, people who apply for a county business license must sign a form verifying, under penalty of perjury, they do not knowingly employ or plan to hire an illegal immigrant. Licensed companies would be subject to county audits of their employees' documentation.
Details of the random audit process are yet to be worked out, but a council committee suggested annual audits for 25 percent of the roughly 5,000 businesses licensed with the county. That would cost an estimated $210,000 and require an additional six employees, said Beaufort County Administrator Gary Kubic.
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