Thread: SC - County moves against illegal immigration

By Rudolph Bell • STAFF WRITER • April 22, 2009

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Greenville County may shut down businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants under an ordinance adopted by County Council on Tuesday night.



Council's 10-2 vote in favor of the business registration ordinance drew applause from a group of county residents who had urged action against illegal immigration.

Earlier, a different group had complained that the ordinance singled out Latinos.

The controversy began when Sheriff Steve Loftis asked council for legal authority to shut down businesses where police are frequently called to investigate disturbances and crimes such as gunshots, drug use or prostitution.

County officials then drafted an ordinance requiring businesses in unincorporated areas to register with the county each year. The ordinance gave the county authority to deny or revoke the registration effectively shutting down the business if the business was deemed a public nuisance.

Violations of zoning rules or building codes or delinquent taxes are also grounds for revoking a business registration under the ordinance.

The measure became embroiled in the politics of illegal immigration when Councilman Sid Cates added language requiring business owners to sign an affidavit swearing they don't hire illegal aliens.

Councilwoman Judy Gilstrap, who represents Berea, tried to strip that language from the ordinance Tuesday night, but her motion was shot down in a partisan vote, with all nine of council's Republicans voting against it and its three Democrats voting in favor.

"I'm thinking that a business that hires illegal aliens is a nuisance," Cates said during debate, drawing applause.

Council also eliminated a requirement that businesses pay an annual fee of $15 before approving the remaining ordinance.

Just before the meeting began, a group of about 35 people demanded action against illegal immigration during a brief rally.

The leader of the group, Roan Garcia-Quintana, a Mauldin resident who is executive director of Americans Have Had Enough, said South Carolina's high unemployment rate was one more reason for a crackdown.

"Now, more than ever, we cannot afford to give up jobs that should go to Americans or legal immigrants," he said.




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http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article ... RUPSTATE01

Gotta LOVE it, if the Federal Government refuses to protect us and our livelihood, then let the State, county or City protect us! THAT is OUR right. I'm forwarding this to my County, City and State... not that Bev Perdue would think this was a good idea!