WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsCherokee County restricts business licenses

Cherokee County restricts business licenses

Associated Press - April 18, 2009 12:24 PM ET

CANTON, Ga. (AP) - Cherokee County has joined the list of Georgia counties that require applicants for business licenses to be legal U.S. residents.

The county says it issues about 7,500 business licenses each year. A few people applied for licenses last week under the new rule, which requires them to sign an affidavit. The affidavit says the appplicant is a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident 18 or older, a qualified alien or a non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act.

Ana Silbernagel, who supervises the issuance of licenses for the county, said no applicants complained.

Last year, Cherokee County commissioners took up a draft ordinance that would make renters prove they are in the country legally. Commissioners say the ordinance remains under review.

Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.