Thread: Vote on SC illegal immigration bill put off a day

By SEANNA ADCOX Associated Press
Published: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 6:12 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 6:12 p.m.




COLUMBIA, S.C. - As the legislative session drew near to a close, South Carolina senators decided Tuesday to postpone voting on a bill that would require officers to try to check suspects' immigration status.



Senators must decide whether to further amend or accept legislation the House approved last week. They'll likely take it up Wednesday.

Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, said he'll ask senators to approve some minor wording changes, as well as possible changes to put South Carolina's existing law in line with a federal ruling. A panel he leads was set to meet Tuesday on the amendments. The director of the state's labor agency was also expected to testify about last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision on illegal immigration. But the meeting had to be rescheduled as debate continued on the Senate floor.

Martin said he expects the Legislature to wrap up work on the bill before the regular session ends Thursday. However, it could be taken up if a special session later this month if necessary.

Supporters of the measure say they hope the law would cause illegal immigrants to leave the state and free up jobs. Opponents say it will encourage racial profiling and invite lawsuits.

The bill specifies that a check of immigration status must follow a stop or arrest for something else. Someone with a valid driver's license, military ID or passport would be presumed a legal resident.

Unlike a law passed in Arizona last year, the South Carolina proposal bars officers from holding someone on the suspicion of being an illegal immigrant.

Though the proposal specifies that suspicion can't be based on race, color or national origin, opponents contend that clause is meaningless. They argue that by not defining "reasonable suspicion," lawmakers would allow abuse.

The measure would also make it a felony to make fake photo IDs for illegal immigrants. Convicted offenders would be fined $25,000 and imprisoned up to five years. Illegal workers could also be fined and sent to jail for carrying a fraudulent ID. A second offense would be a felony punishable by up to $500 and five years in prison.

and would create a new unit within the Department of Public Safety to enforce the state's immigration law. The version passed by the Senate earlier this year tacked a fee onto out-of-country wire transfers in an attempt to tax immigrants who send money home. The resulting revenue was supposed to fund the new unit. But the House removed that provision, saying it would tax legal residents too, including military families and online shoppers who buy items from companies that operate or process payments overseas.

The bill also allows residents to sue local governments that limit or bar officers from following the law.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an Arizona law that penalizes businesses for hiring workers in the country illegally. That law is similar to one that South Carolina passed in 2008, requiring businesses to use the E-verify system to check workers' legal status or else hire only people who hold a valid driver's license from South Carolina or other state with similarly strict license requirements.

The requirements began applying to South Carolina businesses of all sizes last year. Changes added by the House include toughening penalties for businesses that repeatedly violate the law.
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20110 ... l&tc=pgall

that all Bs just vote . what the Hell more do you want they have our jobs
& welfare that not right & you want to vote get a life
get them the hell out of our country
they kill & Rap . *& get free Med care what the hell more do they want let them go back to mexico & get every thing free no they will get shot . to bad .
you should No have to vote this is your country wake the hell up
I would cut out the green card also that all BS in my book

No Amnesty

The last few years is the only time I have ever seen our Country as it is currenty. The U.S. is quickly becoming a lawless land, which is something must be ended. As the elderly Say's, "if you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen and let someone else do the job."

Arizona and Georgia will lead the way for immigration laws to be enforced. God bless America.