Thread: S.C.: Groups want to toughen immigration reform law

Groups want to toughen immigration reform law
By Dave Munday

Tuesday, October 12, 2010



Two years ago, South Carolina lawmakers passed what was considered one of the toughest laws in the nation to crack down on illegal immigrants.

A number of residents and lawmakers are saying it wasn't enough. They're pushing for more enforcement and even tougher laws.

A local movement, called Citizens for Immigration Reform, is spearheaded by Linda Rouvet of North Charleston. Her 21-year-old son Rand was killed by an illegal immigrant driving a borrowed truck without a driver's license on June 1, 2008. Jesus Magana was sent to prison for 12 years for leaving the scene of an accident. Rouvet said that's not enough.

"If Jesus Magana had been stopped from coming to South Carolina, my son would still be alive," Rouvet said.

Rouvet's latest effort is a resolution to show lawmakers public support for tougher immigration laws, such as the one Arizona passed. The Arizona law instructs police officers to check the immigration status of anybody they suspect might be an illegal immigrant.

That provision of the Arizona law has been on hold since a federal judge agreed with opponents that it could lead to unconstitutional racial profiling. But a group of S.C. senators plans to introduce a similar bill when the session resumes in January. They're holding hearings around the state to gauge public support.

Rouvet got her lawyer, George Gatgounis of North Charleston, to draft a resolution to show that support.

The resolution was introduced last week at a Senate subcommittee hearing on immigration reform in North Charleston. The language was tweaked slightly and the final version released Monday. Now supporters are starting the publicity blitz to collect signatures.

"Everyone has been telling me something has got to be done," Rouvet said. "If you really want to say you don't want them (illegal aliens), sign here."

The resolution claims the "alien juggernaut" is bleeding social resources, increasing crimes and prison population and compromising national security. The resolution calls on the state to adopt the Arizona immigration law with any necessary local adjustments or amend current law to make sure it's enforced more vigorously.

"The problem with immigration is not necessarily a problem with laws on the books but enforcement of laws on the books," Gatgounis said Monday.

www.postandcourier.com

PDF FILE of 2008-09 Bill


http://www.scjustice.org/Brochures%20fo ... 202009.pdf

Added to home page

http://www.alipac.us/article-5734--0-0.html

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LIKE THE PERSON SAID AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE, THERE IS NOTHING NECESSARILY WRONG WITH OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS, THEY ARE JUST NOT BEING ENFORCED AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE SOME IN OUR GOVERNMENT IS JUST HELL BENT ON PLEASING AND PANDERING TO MEXICO. NOW THAT IS A COUNTRY WHOSE IMMIGRATION LAWS NEED TO BE REFORMED.