Thread: SC-Pickens to take new look at rules targeting illegals

Pickens to take new look at rules targeting illegals
County to ensure there's no conflict with state law
By Amy Clarke • STAFF WRITER • September 17, 2008

A measure aimed at addressing illegal immigration in Pickens County has been sent back to committee.


The ordinance has already passed two readings from Pickens County Council and was ready for adoption into law Monday night. But, after council got a briefing in executive session, the measure was sent back to committee for further review.

Councilwoman Jennifer Willis said the move came in response to the state's passage of an illegal-immigration bill. Council members, she said, want to give the county attorney a chance to review both pieces of legislation.

"We want to make sure that we're not duplicating the state law and we're not conflicting the state law," she said.

If the county's measure receives only minor changes, it can be passed with a third and final reading.

Provisions in the ordinance include requiring that businesses operating in Pickens County register with the county purchasing division to certify that they "do not knowingly recruit, hire or employ" anyone who is an unauthorized immigrant and requiring the businesses' employees to be verified using e-verify.

The ordinance would also make English the official language of the county and would require that law enforcement "make a reasonable effort to determine the citizenship or residency status" of everyone booked into the county detention center. If someone were found to be an unauthorized alien, the Sheriff's Office would have to notify the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.


http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pb ... 8809170372

"make a reasonable effort to determine the citizenship or residency status" of everyone booked into the county detention center.

So define "reasonable effort" to me, as this seems as wishy-washy as "knowingly" hiring illegals.