Commander selected for new state immigration unit

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A 33-year veteran of the S.C. Highway Patrol has been named commander of the new S.C. Immigration Enforcement Unit.

E.C. Johnson will lead the 12-person unit and is in charge of establishing policies and procedures for the new unit. The new unit also will receive new equipment, including cars. And new uniforms and badges must be designed.

The unit was mandated this year by the S.C. General Assembly after it passed a new illegal immigration law. While parts of that law were blocked by a federal judge, the immigration unit was allowed to proceed.

However, it cannot perform any duties until it is approved by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for a program that allows state and local police to enforce federal laws.

Johnson, who is from Marion, joined the Highway Patrol in 1978 after serving in the Army. He is married and has four sons.

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