Thread: House speaker unveils plan to curb illegal immigration in SC

Posted on Mon, Jan. 07, 2008

House speaker unveils plan to curb illegal immigration in SC

By BRUCE SMITH - Associated Press Writer

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. --House Republican leaders unveiled an immigration reform plan Monday that would bill the federal government for the cost of detaining illegal immigrants and prevent illegals from attending any public college.

"I've heard a loud message from South Carolinians all over the state and they are overwhelmingly saying we need to do something," said House Speaker Bobby Harrell, who estimated 75,000 illegal immigrants in the state.

However, the number of illegal immigrants is difficult to determine.

The latest Census estimate puts South Carolina's Hispanic and Latino population at roughly 130,000. Advocates say it's probably more than three times that number.

Changes to the state's immigration laws have failed to pass the Legislature in recent years.

"We believe the time is now - that the public has made it very clear they want this dealt with," said Harrell, R-Charleston.

Under the plan, the state would seek an agreement with the federal government to enforce immigration laws and be reimbursed for training officers and detaining illegals. The proposal would also restrict state money for communities declaring themselves sanctuary cities, which aid illegal immigrants without reporting them to the authorities.

There are currently no sanctuary cities in South Carolina.

"The bill makes it clear you can't as a city or a county supersede this state law," Harrell said. "I was chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for a number of years. It's amazing what the state budget and dealing with revenue can cause people to think about."

The plan also makes illegal immigrants ineligible for most public benefits, except for disaster relief, domestic violence services and emergency medical care.

They also would not be allowed to attend or get scholarships from any public college.

It's unlikely illegal immigrants are receiving scholarships, though, because proof of residency and other documentation is required, said Julie Carullo, a state Commission on Higher Education spokeswoman.

Some of the state's 16 technical schools do allow undocumented immigrants to enroll, although they must pay out-of-state tuition, said Cheryl Cox, the vice president of academic affairs for the state Technical College System.

She did not know how many colleges allow it. Each policy is set by the school.

"Most of us in the House have no problem with immigrants," said House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island. "An immigrant is someone who is here legally."

http://www.thestate.com/breaking/story/277293.html

Good can't wait to see what comes out of that! hopefully another state getting ready to clamp down

SC politicians determined to pass immigration reform

Posted: Jan 7, 2008 04:02 PM PST


COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - South Carolina's number one issue is immigration reform. That's according to House Speaker Bobby Harrell. He says there could be 75,000 illegal aliens residing in our state, 15 times as many as we had a decade ago.

After plenty of talk and only limited results, state lawmakers promise to move decisively on illegal immigration.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell says, "Our national borders remain wide open. It has become clear that if we want something done, we're going to have to do it ourselves. And states are recognizing this fact and they're acting. And laws they are passing are working."

Speaker Harrell says when the General Assembly re-convenes Tuesday, he'll push for quick action on what Republicans are calling "The South Carolina Plan."

The elements of the plan include an agreement with the federal government that allows South Carolina to enforce federal laws on the state level, a process to bill the feds for detainment of illegals charged with criminal acts, a crackdown on financial fraud, outlawing so-called "sanctuary cities," no public college admission or scholarships for illegals, and new restrictions on businesses that employ illegal workers.

House Majority Leader Jim Merrill says, "It is not knee-jerk or electioneering in any way. It is something that we've studied in depth and we will continue to do so and hopefully pass this legislation out this year."

This won't be the General Assembly's first brush with immigration reform. Over the past couple of years, four separate bills have passed the House, but none have made it into law.

Senators approved their own bill last April, legislation born out of a series of sometimes heated public hearings. The Senate bill never made it out of a House committee.

Orangeburg Senator Brad Hutto (D) is skeptical about this new effort from the other side of the lobby. "It's an election year. Immigration's a hot topic. We will pass an immigration bill. The day after it's signed into law, nothing is going to change in South Carolina, not until Congress deals with it effectively and comprehensively."

But Senate and House members agree, voters care about illegal immigration and lawmakers want to show they are listening.

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7590335

Originally Posted by jean

Orangeburg Senator Brad Hutto (D) is skeptical about this new effort from the other side of the lobby. "It's an election year. Immigration's a hot topic. We will pass an immigration bill. The day after it's signed into law, nothing is going to change in South Carolina, not until Congress deals with it effectively and comprehensively."

But Senate and House members agree, voters care about illegal immigration and lawmakers want to show they are listening.

And why am I not holding my breath waiting for this to happen?

The South Carolina Legislature passed 0 of 17 immigration bills last year.

The S.C. State Senate was so brave as to pass S*0531,
a resolution requesting the Governor to issue an executive order
making illegal aliens ineligible for food stamps or other assistance or services from DSS or any other state agency.

IMMIGRATION - Session 117 - (2007-200

GENERAL BILLS . . . . . . . . . . . . PASSED 0 . . NOT PASSED 17
JOINT RESOLUTIONS . . . . . . . . .PASSED 0 . . NOT PASSED 1
CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS . . .PASSED 0 . . NOT PASSED 0
RESOLUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . PASSED 1 . . NOT PASSED 0
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PASSED 1 . . NOT PASSED 18

Even if the S.C. legislature summoned up the courage to pass an immigration bill - any immigration bill - who would enforce it?

Gutless and pathetic.

One thing that you forgot Minuteman, the SC Chamber of Commerce is for this bill.

Originally Posted by loneprotester

One thing that you forgot Minuteman, the SC Chamber of Commerce is for this bill.

And the South Carolina Homebuilders Association?

Great news South Carolina needs A lot of help in fighting criminal immigration
There is alot of South Carolina Americans suffering because of the Lack of enforcement of the laws.


Ok,
What’s in this Bill that we can’t see… what’s made the SC Chamber of Commerce and
South Carolina Homebuilders Association decide to Back it ???

The elements of the plan include an agreement with the federal government that allows South Carolina to enforce federal laws on the state level, a process to bill the feds for detainment of illegals charged with criminal acts, a crackdown on financial fraud, outlawing so-called "sanctuary cities," no public college admission or scholarships for illegals, and new restrictions on businesses that employ illegal workers.

What’s hiding under the fine print
You Know I can almost see this getting blocked because of this

to bill the feds for detainment of illegals charged with crime or criminal acts

I see the feds getting a bill on Immigration issue
I’m going out on a limb here and saying somebody is going to have a huge problem with billing the FEDS for crimes other then immigration crimes committed by these criminals
I see a big Supreme Court case drug out for along time


Is it just billing for Jailing and housing cost
I dont know

Here are the links to both the S-392 and the Elliott Bill. Let's take a hard look at the Elliott Bill. Let me know what you think of it. The Elliott Bill is going to be in the House Judiciary shortly and is predicated to get out with 3 weeks and then be voted on in the Full House.

If we like this bill, we must all join together to help it get passed. Ebba

S 392, Senator Ritchie's bill -

http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_200 ... ls/392.htm
S 869 is Senator Elliot's bill -

http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_200 ... ls/869.htm

__________________________________________________ __________________________


All,
Both bills still only pertain to "Public Employers" doing businesS with businesses/contractor and not businesses that decide or only provide services/goods to private companies/citizens (ie. private landscapers who do work for private citizens/homeowner associations/HOAs etc
Just a cursory review indicates both bills still exclude public businesses and contractors from E-verify program who do not work for a public employer (State and local I'm assuming) and no business license SSN verification by State Business licensing.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA TAXPAYER AND CITIZEN PROTECTION ACT", ADDRESSING THE FINDINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EFFECT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ON THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE; BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 TO CHAPTER 11 OF TITLE 8 SO AS TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER AND A CONTRACTOR DOING BUSINESS WITH A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO REGISTER AND PARTICIPATE IN THE STATUS VERIFICATION SYSTEM TO VERIFY THE WORK AUTHORIZATION STATUS OF A NEW EMPLOYEE AND TO CREATE A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION IN FAVOR OF AN AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEE WHO IS DISCHARGED UPON THE HIRING OF AN UNAUTHORIZED EMPl
Good news is that Elliott Bill seems to require local government officials to not interfere with employees who want to report/cooperate with federal officials:
A local government, whether acting through its governing body or by an initiative, referendum, or any other process, may not enact any ordinance or policy that limits or prohibits a law enforcement officer, local official, or local government employee from communicating or cooperating with federal officials with regard to the immigration status of a person within this State.
(D) Notwithstanding another provision of law, a government entity or an official within the State of South Carolina, may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the United States Department of Homeland Security information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of an individual.
(E) Notwithstanding another provision of law, a person or an agency may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, a public employee from doing any of the following with respect to information regarding the immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of an individual:
(1) sending the information to, or requesting or receiving the information from, the United States Department of Homeland Security;
(2) maintaining the information; or
(3) exchanging the information with another federal, state, or local government entity.
(F) The provisions of this section allow a private right of action by a natural or legal person lawfully domiciled in this State to file for a writ of mandamus to compel a non-cooperating local or state governmental agency to comply with the reporting laws."
Terry Payne, Low Country Minuteman Civil Defense Corp

loneprotester


What do you think of it ?

Originally Posted by GREGAGREATAMERICAN

loneprotester


What do you think of it ?

This is just something concocted by a few of our politicians to hoodwink the voters of SC because an election is on the way. The last couple of bills were kept in Bobby Harrells desk and never brought before the legislature. And as for the 75,000 illegal aliens he says is in SC, we have that many in Columbia alone.