http://www.abcnews4.com/news/stories/0107/386818.html

Immigration Reform Goes Local
Location: Charleston, SC
Reporter: Sarah DeMarco
Posted: January 09, 2007 4:57 PM EST

Charleston, SC - Senate leaders have declared comprehensive immigration reform is on the Democrats' top ten list of legislative priorities this session. But local leaders question if it will really happen.

"I wonder if that's why the Federal Government is hesitant to address it right away. I think we've become reliant on that worker pool and there's concern out there that if you pull all those workers away, you could create a labor vacuum," says Charleston County Councilman Dickie Schweers.

The Charleston County Council has yet to consider any ordinances against unlawful workers. Schweers says the Council may need to review what surrounding Counties are considering, but he wants to see the Federal Government initiate any changes. Berkeley County hasn't explored the idea either, but the National Conference of State Legislatures reports South Carolina is one of as many as 30 states considering local action against the undocumented.

Amanda Keaveny Immigration and Naturalization Lawyer says, "To me, it's just an example of how the system is broken and has got to be fixed and why comprehensive reform is such an issue that has to be addressed."

Keaveny says after Hazelton, Pennsylvania passed a law that penalizes employers for hiring illegal immigrants, much of the hispanic community actually left the City, both legal and illegal citizens. Keaveny says the withdrawal of the hispanics caused Hazelton's economy to suffer, like it could here if similar laws are passed.

"Because even the legal hispanic community did not want to stay and risk racial profiling," says Keaveny.

A risk that may become reality for the more than 20 millions illegal immigrants living in America Tuesday.