Thread: Summerville, S.C.: Illegal immigrant ban considered

Illegal immigrant ban considered
Summerville to discuss, vote on ordinance similar to Arizona's on Wednesday
by melvin backman,
Tuesday, July 13, 2010

3 Comment(s)



SUMMERVILLE -- Councilman Walter Bailey said he wants to make a statement about the federal government's lack of action on illegal immigration.

"I don't think the federal government is doing enough to secure the border," he said.

Bailey, who said illegal immigrants are taking jobs from legal residents, is proposing an ordinance that would bar anyone in Summerville from housing or hiring illegal immigrants.

The proposal, which will be up for an initial vote Wednesday at a Town Council meeting, lists grievances against illegal immigrants that include crime, taking jobs and creating a drain on town resources.

Councilwoman Kima Garten-Schmidt supported the proposal Monday at a Finance Committee meeting, but Councilman Aaron Brown opposed it.

Brown questioned the need for such a town ordinance and wondered about the potential burden of enforcing it.

"I think we could create a problem for ourselves," he said.

The illegal immigration debate surged to the forefront in 2006 and

2007, with numerous cities, counties and states drafting laws to address the issue. It has remained a hot topic since but returned to the spotlight this year when Arizona officials, complaining of inaction by the federal government, passed a law that allows law enforcement officials to stop and demand the immigration status of any person.

The Obama administration has entered the fray, moving to block the Arizona law's implementation.

South Carolina, which already has enacted some anti-illegal immigrant laws, is among more than a dozen other states where lawmakers have discussed enacting stricter measures similar to those in Arizona.

Dorchester County approved an ordinance in July 2007 that prohibits the knowing employment of illegal immigrants. It was kept on the books in November 2008, despite questions about whether it was needed anymore because the state was doing the job.

Dorchester County Administrator Jason Ward said the county has not had any complaints of illegal immigrant labor to act on in over a year. Bailey said he was unaware of the county ordinance.

The town's proposed ordinance would work like this:

The citizenship status of renters would be determined through occupancy license applications issued to people seeking to rent or lease a house or apartment. The application would require potential renters to indicate whether they are American citizens.

If you go
What: Summerville Town Council discussion of proposed ordinance barring the housing or hiring of illegal immigrants

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Summerville municipal complex, 200 S. Main St.

If respondents say they are not citizens, they would have to prove they are in the country legally. Applicants responding that they are citizens would not face additional scrutiny.

Bailey admitted that there are no safeguards to prevent respondents from lying on their applications.

As for businesses, any employer that hires someone within 60 days of the ordinance's implementation would have to submit their employees' information to the E-verify federal database to check their legal status.

The ordinance would not apply to independent contractors employed by businesses or to labor hired for domestic projects.

Renters found to be illegal would be evicted 60 days after notification. Businesses that hire illegal labor could lose their business licenses, and contractors employed by the town could lose funding. Every violation of the ordinance would result in a $100 fine. There would be an appeals process.

www.postandcourier.com

Bailey, who said illegal immigrants are taking jobs from legal residents, is proposing an ordinance that would bar anyone in Summerville from housing or hiring illegal immigrants.

Absolutely..


And...don't stop there.

Originally Posted by Rai7965

Bailey, who said illegal immigrants are taking jobs from legal residents, is proposing an ordinance that would bar anyone in Summerville from housing or hiring illegal immigrants.

Absolutely..


And...don't stop there.

isnt this the same kinda thing that farmers branch wanted.
even after the people voted for it, the courts are not allowing it to happen

I believe what is proposed (prohibiting both hiring and housing I.A.s) mirrors the ordinance passed by the City Council of Farmers Branch, TX, which they unfortunately have spent literally millions of dollars defending. The ordinance later was placed on the ballot during a referendum, when it was passed by a majority of voters in that Dallas-area city. F.B. is still tied up in court over it, but the leaders who brought the original ordinance vow to continue to fight on to defend it, and a majority of voters there seeem to continue to agree with them.

Summerville illegal immigrant ban put on hold
Posted: Jul 14, 2010 9:56 PM PDT Updated: Jul 14, 2010 10:11 PM PDT

By Hatzel Vela

SUMMERVILLE, SC (WCSC) - A proposed ban on illegal immigrants in Summerville was put on hold.

Town council voted to table the proposed law Wednesday because they want the town attorney to examine it more closely.

They're also hoping those who may be affected by the law will come forward and speak about the consequences of such law, if it passes.

The law would do two things.

First, it would make it illegal for someone to rent or lease an apartment or home to an illegal person.

People looking to rent property would have to apply for a license from the town.

Proponents of the law argue the free license would help the town identify a person's legal status.

The proposed law would also go after businesses who hire illegal immigrants.

Councilman Aaron Brown, who is against it, said if it passes the law will cast the Town of Summerville in a negative light and disturb the racial harmony that exists amongst various ethnic groups.

"This could be very disruptive, it could be catastrophic," Brown said. "It could be a firestorm as far as bringing suspicion amongst neighbors. It's also economically depressing for businesses when the businesses have to jump through other hoops to make their profits and pay their taxes. This is another tax."

Councilman Walter Bailey called Brown's statements "absurd."

"A tax applies to everybody. We're talking about a criminal penalty for violating the laws," Bailey said.

Bailey feels confident the law will work if it is passed. Council has to find the most effective way to make it work, he added.

Bailey admitted the law may need some changes.

For example, right now police would be in charge of enforcement, but Bailey said after talking to town's chief of police it may be better if town workers can take care of the process of figuring out the legal status of prospective renters.

Another potential change: instead of coming to town and asking for an occupancy permit, landlords could be required to accept identification as proof of citizenship status.

Brown called the proposed law redundant because the county, state and federal governments already have laws in place that are supposed to crack down on illegal immigration.

Brown fears that in a slow economy, a controversial law like this one will drive away businesses to nearby communities like North Charleston and Charleston.

Summerville's image is at stake, he said.

"I think that's absurd. It's going to harm the illegal aliens, people who are here illegally, that are breaking the law to get here," Bailey said.

Council will reconsider the law on Aug. 11.

http://www.live5news.com/Global/story.asp?S=12809819