Thread: SC Senate panel passes immigration proposals

Posted on Thu, Jan. 10, 2008
SC Senate panel passes immigration proposals
By SEANNA ADCOX - Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. --Driver's license tests and all other government paperwork would only be in English under a proposal approved by a Senate panel Thursday.

"We want to make sure that in the day-to-day business of government, English is the language," said Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, who is head of the four-member panel.

The legislation now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is headed by the bill's sponsor, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell. He wants to stop the Department of Motor Vehicles from distributing driver's manuals in Spanish and offering driver's license tests in German, French and Spanish.

The bill may exclude some school forms or medical care applications, which by federal law require translations.

Critics said the law would hurt families of Puerto Rican military personnel here. Conchita Cruz of the Coalition for New South Carolinians said it would also portray South Carolina as not welcoming to international business.

Ritchie said people here on business can drive with a license issued in their country, or get an international driver's license.

Sen. Vincent Sheheen cast the lone no vote.

"The only people we're affecting are people here legally who are not able to read English? From what I've heard, we don't have a real problem," said the Camden Democrat.

Another proposal approved by the panel asks Congress to call a constitutional convention on immigration. Congress' failure to address illegal immigration has burdened states that must pay to educate, provide emergency health care, protect and imprison people not here legally, McConnell said.

To call a convention would require a similar request from 33 states.

The proposal says the convention would discuss amendments giving states the ability to arrest and deport illegal immigrants, deny them government services and deny citizenship to children born to parents not here legally.

A GOP activist said a convention would be dangerous because no matter what's supposed to be discussed, the state has no control over what delegates take up.

"My fear is it will destroy my Constitution, and I love it," said Dan Richardson of Greenwood.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/575/story/310019.html

English-only bill moves ahead in S.C. immigration debate

Arguments fall along party lines; resolution calls for constitutional convention

By NOELLE PHILLIPS
Jan 11, 2008
The S.C. Senate jumped on immigration legislation Thursday when a subcommittee approved a bill to make English the state’s official language.

Legislators’ positions were drawn along party lines during the debate with Republicans taking hard lines against illegal immigration and the lone Democrat present urging caution.

While some discussion centered on the bill’s details, the debate at times evolved into name calling and tangents about Puerto Ricans and Venezuela.

Sen. Randy Scott, R-Dorchester, called Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Kershaw, a “bleeding heart liberalâ€