South Carolina E-Verify Mandate for All Employers Statewide

Section 41-8-20 of the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act mandates that all employers in the state, regardless of size, enroll in and use the federal E-Verify system to confirm work authorization for every newly hired employee. Verification must occur within three business days of the date of hire. The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation enforces compliance through audits and investigations. Employers must retain E-Verify documentation and may be required to produce records on request. The mandate applies uniformly statewide, with no carve-outs for small businesses or specific industries.

Failure to use E-Verify can result in revocation or suspension of state-issued business licenses, fines, and probationary compliance periods.