Thread: Pickens Co., SC: Final approval given to immigration ordinan

October 6, 2008


Final approval given to immigration ordinance

By Julie Howle
STAFF WRITER

A law aimed at combating illegal immigration now is on the books in Pickens County.

Pickens County Council members voted 5-1 to approve an illegal immigration ordinance on final reading Monday night.

A motion to remove a portion of the ordinance that says English is the official language of Pickens County failed with a 3-3 vote. Council members Ben Trotter, Tom Ponder and council Chairman G. Neil Smith voted against the motion to remove the language portion.

Councilwoman Jennifer Willis, who voted in favor of removing the language part, said South Carolina state code already says English is the official language. "I have a real concern that from an economic development standpoint that this could send a negative message," Willis said.

"If a German company or a Korean company or a company from anywhere in the world wants to come to Pickens County and put a textile supply facility in our park, I don't want to have something in here that they could perceive as a negative thing."

Councilman Jim London, who also voted in favor of removing the language part and who voted against the ordinance after that portion wasn't removed, said he supported the rest of the ordinance. "It's an unnecessary stand because again it is in the state code," London said.

Smith said it doesn't mean people have to speak English in Pickens County and said the language portion "doesn't really do anything."

"Pickens County does business in English -- that's all it says," Smith said. "Shag is the official dance of South Carolina but that doesn't mean you can't clog."

The ordinance requires vendors, contractors and subcontractors who register with the county purchasing division to certify that they "do not knowingly recruit, hire or employ" anyone who is an unauthorized immigrant.

Violators will be removed from the county's vendors list for three years, according to the ordinance, and all verification of employment must be done using E-verify.

www.greenvilleonline.com

Another victory! We'll take all we can get.Way to go pickins co.Now for the rest of that state.



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