A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS by ENACTing THE "CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 23-1-260 SO AS TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MUST CHECK THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF PERSONS ARRESTED THROUGH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SYSTEMATIC ALIEN VERIFICATION FOR ENTITLEMENTs PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS MUST BE RECORDED IN THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS, AND TO PROVIDE SLED MUST PROVIDE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY A REPORT CONTAINinG THE NUMBER OF ILlEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED, convicted, or both.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.  This act may be cited as the "Citizenship Verification Act".

SECTION 2.  Chapter 1, Title 23 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 23-1-260.  (A) A law enforcement agency must check the immigration status of all persons arrested by its officers through the United States Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program.

    (B) Upon an arrest, conviction, or both, the person's immigration status must be recorded in his criminal record.

    (C) No later than January first of each year, SLED must provide a report to the General Assembly containing the number of persons arrested, convicted, or both during the previous twelve months who are in the State illegally.

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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