Supreme Court Immigration Ruling Won't Help S.C., Gov. Haley Says

Supreme Court Immigration Ruling Won't Help SC, Gov. Haley Says

By: Robert Kittle | WSPA-TV
Published: June 26, 2012 Updated: June 26, 2012 - 6:10 PM

COLUMBIA, SC --
Even though the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld part of Arizona's illegal immigration law that's similar to South Carolina's, SC Gov. Nikki Haley says the ruling won't mean more enforcement anytime soon.

"I think the fact that they are allowing law enforcement to continue is a farce because President Obama turned around and dropped the money for the 287(g) program," she says.

The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement agencies to partner with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, to enforce immigration laws. The local law enforcement officers get special training and the authority to enforce immigration laws.

But the Department of Homeland Security's budget proposal would cut $17 million from the 287(g) program, meaning some law enforcement agencies waiting for the training they need wouldn't get it.

"They're saying that law enforcement can stop people, or that law enforcement can take someone in if there's probable cause. But when they turn around and take away the 287(g) money to train them to do that, it makes you wonder what ability we're going to have," Gov. Haley says.

South Carolina's illegal immigration law created a new enforcement unit within the Department of Public Safety. According to DPS Communications Director Sherri Iacobelli, "The Immigration Unit, which is still in the formation stages, is authorized to enforce state immigration laws and federal immigration laws (in conjunction with ICE). Our officers are in training and will be closely working with ICE on criminal enforcement. The Arizona decision has not changed the way we are currently doing our jobs. We are awaiting the outcome of the case from which the injunction was issued."

Last December, a federal district judge issued an injunction to block enforcement of most of South Carolina's law. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled in Arizona's case, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson plans to ask that the injunction be lifted so the state can start enforcing its law.

Gov. Haley says she'll work with other governors to look for solutions to the illegal immigration problem.

"Here I'm the daughter of immigrant parents that put in their time and their money to get here. They are offended by people who come here illegally. And I think that our businesses suffer from it. I think our hospitals suffer from it. Our education suffers from it and I think South Carolina owes the people of this state and this country the ability to keep on fighting and come up with ways that we need to do that," she says.

Supreme Court Immigration Ruling Won't Help SC, Gov. Haley Says | WSPA

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"Here I'm the daughter of immigrant parents that put in their time and their money to get here. They are offended by people who come here illegally. And I think that our businesses suffer from it. I think our hospitals suffer from it. Our education suffers from it and I think South Carolina owes the people of this state and this country the ability to keep on fighting and come up with ways that we need to do that," she says.

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The illegals now, as always, don't only want to cut the line, they don't think that the line pertains to them. I admire Gov. Haley and I am so glad that her parents chose to immigrate to this country legally and they are now my countrymen.