S.C. House Takes Up Immigration Bill

POSTED: 5:48 pm EDT May 5, 2008
UPDATED: 5:54 pm EDT May 5, 2008


COLUMBIA, S.C. -- An immigration bill lawmakers say is aimed at keeping employers from hiring illegal workers goes before the South Carolina House on Tuesday.

The bill passed the Senate last week on a voice vote, but quickly drew fire from Gov. Mark Sanford and advocates of tougher immigration laws.

House members said that they anticipate spirited floor debate on the issue and expect to hear from constituents, as well.

Clemson City Council member Margaret Thompson said that pressure from voters is an important part of the process.

"Well, you have to stay on them and you have to watch them," Thompson said. "You have to watch their every step and what they say, because we know that there are lobbyists down there on the opposite side of this who are wanting the opposite of what we want to do."

Support and opposition to the bill is not necessarily along party lines.

"The lower part of the state is a little bit more sensitive to the issue than up in the Upstate, where you have the larger employers such as BMW or Michelin," Rep. Karl Allen said. "I think what you see is geography splitting the issue somewhat."

Sanford said that the Senate bill is ineffective because of its failure to require employers to use the federal e-Verify system to positively determine the immigration status of workers. The Senate version would allow employers to use a state system called SC Verify that is not yet set up.

The House version of the bill is expected to include a requirement to phase in use of the e-Verify system.

"I think the main goal is to take and protect the borders of South Carolina to ensure that the people who are receiving benefits from the state of South Carolina are here legally and are eligible for those benefits," Greenville County Rep. Garry Smith said.

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