Thread: No more peaches from SC?

http://www.thestate.com/business/story/397562.html

Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2008reprint or license print email

S.C farmers warn state can’t fix problem

House set to debate legislation to punish employers who hire illegal workers knowingly

By SEANNA ADCOX - The Associated Press

S.C. farmers say the state’s plans to clamp down on illegal immigration will only cause confusion and hurt the economy but will not solve the problem.

Today, the S.C. House is expected to debate legislation that would severely punish employers who hire illegal workers knowingly.

The proposal, as passed last week by the Senate, would require that employers verify their workers through a federal electronic database, a new paper-based system to be created by the state, or an S.C. driver’s license.

Employers who break the law knowingly could be fined for each illegal immigrant on the payroll, up to $10,000 each on a third offense.

Critics, including Gov. Mark Sanford, want the House to delete the paper-based verification option. Legislators say they must do what they can this year because Congress has failed to address immigration.

While farmers agree the current system is seriously flawed, they say anything the state comes up with won’t fix it.

“I’m very concerned when state gets in an issue it can’t do anything about,â€

The peach farmers see the fruit rotting on the trees and you can bet they will find legal employees its all about $$$

Last year peaches cost .80 a piece retail let them pay a living wage