U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican and gubernatorial candidate in South Carolina, has expressed concern over undocumented immigration, particularly in Horry County. Mace highlighted that many students in the county are learning English as a second language, indicating a significant presence of undocumented immigrants.
Proposed Legislation for Stricter Penalties
This week, Mace introduced two immigration-related bills, one being proposed outside Myrtle Beach City Hall. The new legislation aims to impose tougher penalties on employers hiring undocumented workers in South Carolina.
Since 2012, South Carolina has mandated the use of the federal E-Verify system for all employers to verify the work authorization of new hires. While Mace acknowledges this law as strong, she contends that it lacks effective enforcement and incentives for compliance.
Details of the South Carolina Employer Immigration Compliance Act
- The proposed act would fine employers $1,000 per day for each undocumented worker employed, starting from when they should have known about the worker’s status.
- Penalties would escalate to $5,000 for a second offense and $10,000 for a third offense per undocumented worker.
- License suspensions would range from 30 to 90 days for first-time violations, and permanent revocation for third offenses.
- The act aims to recover state economic development incentives from violators, prohibiting them from accessing these benefits for five years.
- A citizen complaint hotline will be established for reporting violations.
- The bill proposes conducting at least 500 random audits annually targeting high-risk sectors.
Mace noted that current penalties, such as 10 to 30 day license suspensions for first-time offenders, are insufficient to deter violations. She claims that business owners face unfair competition from companies hiring undocumented workers, which drives down wages for legal workers.
Mace’s Political Campaign
Currently representing South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, Mace announced her candidacy for governor in August 2025. She emphasized the importance of her first campaign stop in Myrtle Beach, a region she referred to as “Trump country,” underlining its significance in the state.
Mace has presented herself as the only gubernatorial candidate willing to draft and propose her own policies. Additionally, she has expressed her commitment to addressing infrastructure improvements and the cost of living in South Carolina.
During her campaign, Mace aims to connect with voters across the state while tackling pressing issues like undocumented immigration and its impact on local employment.
