AIKEN - Illegal immigrants are officially unwelcome in Aiken County.

County council members approved a law against illegal immigration Tuesday night after several revisions added some punch to what initially would have been a symbolic stand against undocumented immigrants.

Now agencies and businesses receiving county money could be punished if they are caught hiring or assisting illegal immigrants.

The measure didn't pass unanimously. Councilman Willar Hightower voted against it, and Chairman Ronnie Young and Councilman Eddie Butler abstained.

Mr. Butler said he couldn't decide how to vote because he supported parts of the law but had concerns about other sections.

Mr. Young said there wasn't enough information to commit either way.

Mr. Hightower said he voted against it because council members officially agreed to say illegal immigrants are unwelcome but do nothing to help them become legal workers or residents. He said it's also virtually unenforceable.

"It's like having speed limits on the highway and no state patrol," he said.

The last revisions to the ordinance came after County Attorney Bob Bell warned council members that their version could "invite a court challenge" and possibly violate basic human rights.

Previous versions had banned agencies from "serving" undocumented immigrants at all, but council members changed it to exempt life-threatening situations and emergencies.

The measure passed Tuesday night has punishments for those caught violating the law:

- Businesses hired by the county have to swear that they don't employ illegal immigrants. If caught doing so, they will be put on a "no hire" list for three years. - Agencies that receive discretionary funding from the county are also banned from hiring illegal immigrants, but they also can't "provide assistance," "except to protect civil liberties, or provide emergency services, or in life-threatening situations." Violators would not receive county money for three years.

Businesses and agencies can appeal the rulings.

Councilwoman Kathy Rawls, one of the law's sponsors, said county staff would determine whether a violation occurs. She said she's not sure what impact the law will have.

"The only way to tell for sure is time," she said. "But I don't think taxpayers want their tax dollars benefiting illegal immigrants."