Thread: S.C.: House panel approves some illegal immigration proposal

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6092322

House panel approves some illegal immigration proposals

(Columbia-AP) February 15, 2007 - A House panel approved illegal immigration proposals Wednesday that would clamp down on unscrupulous businessmen who exploit immigrants.

One of the bills would also require employers to check their workers' status through a federal program.

The panel postponed debate on larger immigration bills that, among other things, would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving some medical care and from enrolling their children in public schools.

Two other proposals advanced by the panel would create a committee to study enforcement of federal laws and would direct the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to coordinate with federal immigration officers.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/16723866.htm

Posted on Sun, Feb. 18, 2007



Bills aim to stem illegal immigration tide
Out of many, four proposals gain ground in state legislature
By NOELLE PHILLIPS
nophillips@thestate.com

Bills addressing illegal immigration are piling up at the S.C. State House.

Lawmakers, who say they are responding to voters’ demands to do something about the issue, have proposed at least 19 bills.

The proposals range from the cautious to the confrontational.

One calls for forming a committee to study immigration. Another would require parents to sign an affidavit saying their children are legal residents before enrolling them in public schools. That proposal could run afoul of a U.S. Supreme Court decision ordering free, public education to all children, regardless of their immigration status.

As the legislature wades through the bills, a few are starting to move through committees in the House and Senate. None has made it far enough yet to receive a full vote of either governing body.

However, those watching the issue say at least four bills are gaining traction. They would:

• Require all state contractors and subcontractors to participate in a federal work authorization program that verifies employees’ Social Security numbers, a process intended to determine that a worker is a U.S. citizen or in the country legally.

• Order the S.C. Law Enforcement Division to negotiate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to train state and local police officers so that they can enforce immigration laws.

• Regulate the cottage industry of people who advertise themselves as providing “immigration assistance.”

• Form a study committee.

A House subcommittee Wednesday approved four such bills, sending them to the Judiciary Committee. Five other immigration bills failed to get out of the subcommittee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to review a comprehensive bill that also includes initiatives similar to those moving in the House. The Senate bill is a product of a subcommittee that met several times in the fall to hear public testimony on immigration.

‘BY GOD, WE’RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING’

Rep. Thad Viers, R-Horry, has been among the most active on the issue, filing seven bills addressing illegal immigration. He said he is confident some of them will pass.

Viers said he filed the bills because his constituents are concerned about illegal immigrants moving into the Myrtle Beach area. More than 8,000 Hispanics live in Horry County, about 4 percent of the county’s population, according to 2005 census data.

Voters are frustrated with a lack of action against illegal immigrants by the federal government, Viers said.

“Something’s got to give,” he said. “If the federal government is not going to do it, by God, we’re going to do something as a state.”

Immigration historically has been a federal issue. And several bills filed in the Legislature would contradict or overlap existing federal laws.

For example, Rep. Michael Pitts, R-Laurens, predicts his proposal — the S.C. Immigration Compliance Act of 2008 — will not pass. Among its nine different provisions, it would require parents to prove their citizenship before enrolling their children in school. If passed, that requirement could lead to lawsuits, challenging its constitutionality.

“The weakest, most watered-down (proposals) will survive,” Pitts said. “Mine, therefore, would have the least chance of survival because it’s very strong.”

IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES SUPPORT SOME PROPOSALS

Advocates for immigrants are tracking the legislative action.

For example, Tammy Besherse, a staff attorney at the S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center, attends most hearings on immigration. She opposes most bills but supports two: Creating an immigration study committee and regulating the “notarios” industry.

Notarios are people who advertise themselves as specialists in immigration assistance. Some try to perform legal services but are not lawyers. Advocates for immigrants say the notarios often take advantage of immigrants.

Among other things, the businesses would be required to register with the state by the Senate bill and similar bills in the House.

Besherse said the bills requiring participation in the work authorization program and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration officials also are gaining ground. But questions about funding could slow them.

Jim Griffin, national legislative coordinator for the S.C. Farm Bureau, said he couldn’t predict which bills would become state law. But he expects the Legislature to do something about illegal immigration this year.

“Something’s going to happen,” he said. “I’ve seen a groundswell of folks saying, ‘We’re going to do something.’ I hope it’s not for the wrong reasons. Folks have their hats on about this one.”

Reach Phillips at (803) 771-8307.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Senate Judiciary Committee will discuss a proposed immigration bill at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Room 105 of the Gressette Building at the State House complex.

TARGETTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Bills addressing illegal immigration have been popular among S.C. legislators this year. More than 25 legislators have signed onto at least 19 bills. Some proposals on the table:

• Require all public employers and all state contractors and subcontractors to participate in the federal work authorization program to verify employees’ Social Security numbers.

• Require anyone applying for public benefits to prove they are legally in the country.

• Direct the S.C. Law Enforcement Division to sign a memorandum of understanding with federal immigration officials so state and local police can investigate violations and enforce laws related to immigration.

• Prohibit businesses from claiming state tax deductions on wages paid to illegal workers.

• Regulate the cottage industry of people who provide immigration assistance services.

• Deny worker’s compensation benefits for illegal immigrants.

• Require police and jailers to verify the nationality of those arrested for felonies or driving under the influence.

• Ask courts to consider whether a person’s immigration status makes them a flight risk when determining conditions of release.

• Require employers to withhold 6 percent of a worker’s wages if a tax identification number is not provided.

• Create an immigration study committee.

• Make it a felony to transport, shelter, harbor or conceal illegal immigrants.

• Require adults enrolling children in public schools to sign an affidavit declaring the child is legally in the United States.

• Create a path for civil lawsuits by people who are fired from jobs and replaced with illegal immigrants.

• Prohibit the state, counties and cities from issuing or renewing licenses without verifying residency status.

• Prohibit hospitals from providing care to illegal immigrants, except in emergency cases.

• Require proof of citizenship before registering to vote.

• Require the state to print all publications in English only.

• Joint resolution ordering the S.C. attorney general to sue the U.S. attorney general for failing to enforce federal immigration laws.