Lawmakers say they will pass an immigration lawThe issue isn't dead, state House and Senate negotiators say By Yvonne Wenger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, April 18, 2008
COLUMBIA — Legislators balked Thursday at the idea that immigration reform efforts in South Carolina are dead, arguing that resolve to overcome the deadlock is as strong as ever. Negotiators for the House and Senate must find a way to revive a compromise plan that was dealt a blow this week. Both sides say they will pass a new law within the coming weeks that gets tough on illegal immigration. Legislators' phones have been lighting up over the issue, and public scrutiny is high. "The No. 1 issue that is on everybody's mind is illegal immigration," said Rep. Wallace Scarborough, R-James Island. "I believe this is something people truly want. They are truly expecting us in the General Assembly to handle this situation. "I think if we don't do it, we're failing the people." The legislation itself is far-reaching, said lead Senate negotiator Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg. Provisions of the House and Senate compromise that are still intact address a range of matters, including seeking authorization from the federal government to enforce immigration laws, verification of legal status to receive state benefits, and the ability to bring felony charges for harboring or transporting an illegal immigrant. The deadlock concerns how to treat private employers. Both versions of the legislation set strict rules for government contracts, but the Senate's bill would make it a felony for an employer to knowingly hire an illegal immigrant. The House placed new demands on the compromise Wednesday when House negotiators called on the senators to drop the federal I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form as an acceptable means of checking a worker's legal status. Critics of the I-9 form say it perpetuates the broken system. The Senate already has waged an unsuccessful fight on the floor over excluding the I-9 forms in favor of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program, which also has its fair share of critics because of its error rate. Ritchie said the House negotiators are backtracking after agreeing a couple of weeks ago to the compromise. "I look forward to meeting with them next week and hopefully solving the remaining issue," said Ritchie, who led a Senate committee that first began studying the issue in 2006. House Majority Leader Jim Merrill of Daniel Island said the Republican Caucus told its House negotiators that it would not accept the tentative compromise reached earlier this month because it did not go far enough. Merrill noted that the push for immigration reform is bipartisan. "It is one of our top agenda items, but at the same time we're not willing to pass something that is ineffectual," he said. "That, quite frankly, is what the federal government does." Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@post andcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 28 comment(s)
Posted by Brittanicus on April 18, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The federal SAVE ACT is the answer to Americas 12 to 30 million illegal immigration plague. Leading Democrats are trying to gut it, including the border fence.
Mr. Rubenstein, a former director of research at the Hudson Institute, a nonpartisan policy research organization, said U.S. taxpayers paid more than $9,000 for each immigrant in the country, a third of whom are believed to be in the U.S. illegally.
In addition, more than 37 million immigrants in the United States, both legal and illegal, cost the federal government more than $346 billion last year, twice as much as the nation's fiscal deficit, according to a report released yesterday. The loss estimates, the report said, included $100 billion in federal taxes lost "from the reduction of native incomes caused by immigrant workers." He also stated that even programs that are not usually associated with immigration, he said, have actually added financial burdens to the taxpayers. American Taxpayers cannot afford to subsidies predator employers anymore.
Find the unsuppressed truth to all the lies, spin and rhetoric announced by our politicians, big business, the church cartels and special interest lobby. NUMBERSUSA! AMERICAN PATROL! GRASSFIRE! LIBERTY POST! VDARE! FAIRUS! UNIPAC!
Remember that anti-illegal immigration organizations are not bankrolled by the special interest foundations and unaware taxpayers!
Posted by BillytheKid on April 18, 2008 at 2:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you cheated, lied or stole your way into the USA then you will have to leave. It is that easy to figure out, we already have rules in place, all we have to do is use them.
Why the hell are we still in Iraq?
Posted by Bettybb on April 18, 2008 at 2:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Like several other states, it looks like S.C. politicians are into the con game on illegal immigration; say they are passing tough laws, when what they are actually doing is either unconstitutional or ineffective.
The courts have held that states can only impose sanctions such as business license revocation on private employers using illegal labor.
The use of the I 9 form is a farce. E verify works. Its error rate is somewhere between 1 - 7 % depending on who is spinning. But errors are easily cleared up, so really it is no big deal. Dishonest business, and the free trade for north american integration folks hate it.
When will politicians learn? Do they think that if a Dem is elected President, amnesty will be granted and all the fuss will go away, and their con will not be exposed?
And what about the Mexcian consulate employee who claimed San Diego belongs to Mexico.
And the Absolut ads in Mexico showing the Western USA to be Mexican territory? American made Skky Vodka has stood up for the USA.
Check out www.alipac.us for details.
Boycott Absolut Vodka
Boycott Mexico - no vacation and stop buying Mexican products.
It is time to send a message that Americans are taking their country back.
Posted by moonpie on April 18, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget dialog we need action by the state. The feds will not do anything and no matter who is elected president in Nov they will continue to do nothing. We the people have to do it.
Get the special interest out of the mix and pass something with some meat in it where these illegals will at least leave OUR state. Sorry, NC,GA & FL then maybe you'll step up and do something. Makes me sick to see them taking over every street corner. All you liberals waking up don't tell me they're just making a better life for themselves, if that's true do it legally. The federal gov is as much to blame as anyone. They allowed the "intergration" of Mexicans into the US for the sake of the North American Union.
Posted by Tulane75 on April 18, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How are you going to charge the employer with a felony? Which person in the employer chain will be charged, the CEO, project foreman?
You can't have absolute liability for a charged felony for individuals that have no knowledge of a violation. Maybe the authorities will just indict the company. Yeah right! Even if they are acquitted, these defendants may still be ruined by costs and other fallout. Sensible enforcement (reasonable penalties against employers) is the key to whatever it is the authorities want to do.
Posted by crankyyankee on April 18, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tulane you don't have to charge anyone with anything. Just suspend their business license and shut them down. Yes it's that easy!
Posted by JohnS on April 18, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The chamber is running the show. They pay off everyone. Just like the story the other day about housing about how it's looking up. If you had to hire all legal people to build new houses the cost would be about the same as a custom home. The phony documented guy is still willing to work below the radar for less. Less wages = more profit for new house.
Posted by crankyyankee on April 18, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's a news flash you won't read in the P&C. Illegal immigration is down about 60% in Mexico! Why because they have cracked down on illegals. Why can't our leaders be as proactive as the Mexican leadership? Maybe we should let the Mexican leaders immigrate and run for office so they will do the job that American leaders won't!
Posted by ImplantedYankee on April 18, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've been following the Absolut story on Michelle Malkin's site, which I check every day. Sometimes news goes unreported until someone tips her and she exposes it. Last year Sen. D!ck Urbain (D-IL) tried to attach a list of amnesty provisions as long as my arm (a revision of the DREAM act) to an unrelated appropriations bill, and the news media simply refused to report on it. I couldn't find it on TV, in print, or on the radio, except on talk radio (and even there, not on their news programs). I'll be boycotting Absolut for the rest of my life.
Other boycotts can be tricky, however, as I mentioned yesterday. Good luck finding a roofer, for example, that doesn't hire illegals. If you buy a Volkswagon, for example, you think that you're buying a German car, but many of their models are built in Mexico. Many "American" cars are manufactured there as well. It's important to note that any improvement in the health of the Mexican economy will result in fewer jumping the fence to find a better life here. I'll boycott the Swedish (soon to be French) liquor distiller (don't drink much liquor anyway), but I don't see a problem with buying Mexican products. I hope more of them stay at home and take jobs there. That was supposed to be the effect of NAFTA. It just didn't work because it wasn't coupled with efforts here at home to get lazy American's off their fat indulgent butts and into the workforce.
>>"I think if we don't do it, we're failing the people."<<
Ya think??!!
Posted by theronce on April 18, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We cannot blame the state for doing nothing. We do not hold any level of government accountable. The feds do nothing to protect our borders. I see nothing to stop county and municipal governments from requiring use of a reliable check of employees to issue permits. Our local friends and neighbors smile at us and hire these illegal folks. Until enough of us start holding our friends and neighbors and our governments accountable, all is just talk and smoke and mirrors.
Posted by Delawarebob on April 18, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm proud of you, there, South Carolina, for getting some laws to free your State and this Country of the ILLEGAL ALIENS. It is time to put an end to this illegal Immigration. I hope all 50 States get laws passed. I'm holding my breath for Delaware. We got about 40,000 ILLEGAL ALIENS here. At times I feel like I'm in Mexico. Yes, it's time to put this ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION to an end.
Go, South Carolina! PASS THE LAWS!
Posted by captivated on April 18, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's an idea. The people want immigration reform. The legislators want a raise. If we append their raise request to any sort of reform bill, it will be passed in no time.
Posted by CHRISJIII on April 18, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is all window dressing. The state's attempt to pass these types of laws are unconstitutional. This is a federal matter. Don't be fooled by saber rattling from your elected officials. They know that they have no power to enforce these antics, but it sounds good back home.
Posted by Thomas1776 on April 18, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have no faith in any of them. None.
They refuse to punish employers of ILLEGAL MEXIXCANS. TOTALLY!!! And that makes these elected leaders all scums in my book. It rings a very clear and loud bell that our representatives are on the take and nothing but a pack of worthless nothings.
They had there chance. Now it's time to replace them all with real people that will do something.
All those OLD CODGERS must be removed from office. They are corrupt!
Posted by Thomas1776 on April 18, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
DO WHAT THE PEOPLE SCREAM FOR. 2 YEARS MINIMUM SENTENCE IN THE DEPT OF CORRECTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS THAT HIRE ILLEGAL MEXICANS. AND STRIP THEM OF THEIR BUSINESS LICENSE AND TAKE THEIR COMPANY EQUIPMENT.
WE ARE FED UP WITH THIS MESS AND WITH OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE TYRANTS. HELLO???????
Posted by Thomas1776 on April 18, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bettybb,
Their true colors are showing. They are all pretentious pathetics. I laugh listening to them trying to explain their way out of this one. The peasants are angry and grabbing their pitch forks over this one.
Posted by CMLMADDOG on April 18, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ridiculous. I am not voting for ONE incumbent if they don't start listening to us.
Posted by ln1959 on April 18, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe more counties need to do what Prince William County in Northern Virginia did. The county passed a law authoring the police the right to ask for legal papers when people are stopped for any crime, or when there are called to a home for any kind of disturbance. They also have to show paper when they go to the hospital or requesting social assistance. You should have seen how many homes became empty after that law was passed in the county. They put up a good fight, but in the end the county got what they wonted.
Posted by theronce on April 18, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chrissjiii, unconstitutional? The federal government will not provide for our common defense (protect our borders) as constitutionally mandated. If no other government fills that voikd and gets between us and the interlopers, you had best be prepared personally to defend whatever you have.
Posted by whoneedsamericans on April 18, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would love to see americans working on fields, as well as housekeeping and all kinds of dirty work. I think thats exactly where majority of americans belong, instead of sitting on their behinds & doing nothing, other than complaining about immigration law and poor mexicans, who work double(or even more)than americans, exactly the ones who complain the most.
Posted by theronce on April 18, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, just about the whole world needs Americans to drive their economies or have a hope for a little bit of freedom.
Posted by ck1234 on April 18, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think anyone is saying mexicans being in our country & working hard is a problem. I know the way mexico is where you can't change what your born into. Hey come here & make something for yourself & your family no one has a problem with that. Are mexicans hard workers, no question about that at all they could out work most americans & do on a daily basis. However if you do want to be in our country & make a new life for yourself & your loved ones do it legally is all we ask. Pay taxes like we would if we were in your country & get off of our welfare system heck americans get off the welfare system to. It's just sad though that there are some mexicans and other immigrants that come here & do it legally & they get looked down upon because of the illegal ones.
Posted by whoneedsamericans on April 18, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
theronce - oh, you are so wrong, that it's unbeleivable - just about the whole world so tierd of americans putting their nose in everybodys business and thinking that America so important!
ck1234 - it's nearly impossible to get legal here, other than get married(and a lot getting into a fake marriage), go to school and pay 30000 a year(it's more if you are foreign student), which is impossible, because on student visa you are not alowed to work, file as a refugee - which even harder than student visa, or find a company which will file for 3 year work visa(companies have to pay about 10000 for that visa - which is not very profitable).
So as you can see its pretty impossible to get legal in USA.
Posted by Rebel_Yell on April 18, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We don't need the illegal work force here -- that's what James Islanders are for.
Posted by theronce on April 18, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whoneedsamericans, I do not care what the pretentious old world thinks. Thanks to us, western Europe has stopped killing each other for the most part and have enjoyed the longest period of peace since the Roman Empire. Other than a few name changes here and there, map boundaries have been relatively stable. The American people have freed more people than any other group of people in history. Now, we have killed very many too, not as many as some, but we are very good at it when we feel the need. It's a tough world out there still. We may not be done yet.
Posted by whoneedsamericans on April 18, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
theronce - my goodness darling, I see you haven't read that much history in your life.. By the way, "Western Europe" has not stopped killing each other! Thanks to you, the whole world is paying for all nuclear crap! Paying for the war you have created instead of protecting your own country(inside), and than complaining:"oh, Illegal immigrants taking our money!!!" I think everybody should focus more on how much money the government spending on War, insead of illegals.
By the way, the only people, americans have freed, was in 1861... Read history..
Posted by ImplantedYankee on April 18, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whoneedsamericans -- I see you haven't read much either. Compared to the 100M deaths, largely in Europe, and many of those in the western part, in the first half of the twentieth century, I'd say it's a comparatively quiet place today. Ask a few holocaust survivors if Americans have freed anyone since 1861. Ask some Shiites in southern Iraq. Ask some Kurds in northern Iraq. Read history. Read the news, too.
I have no idea what you mean by "paying for nuclear crap". Either English isn't your first language or you went to SC public schools. Either way, please try to make sense. If your referring to the Cold War, you're welcome. It was unpleasant, but it sure beats a shooting war. Without nuclear detente, WWIII would have been inevitable, making Korea and Vietnam look like picnics.
The war in Iraq cost $12B last year. Illegal immigration cost the US $346B last year. You're struggling with English. How are you with math? I think my focus is right on.
Who needs you?
Posted by carolinadude on April 19, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sen Randy Scott (district 38 for dorchester and charleston counties) has stronly supported I9 at the behest of the chamber and farm bureau. He has very credible opposition for June 10th, and is likely to be replaced. South Carolinians have a tendency to rise to the occasion when faced with critical local and national issues. We must replace most of these senators as "they've been there far too long" and are bought by the special interest. THE PROFESSIONAL POLITICIAN MUST BE DEFEATED. WE MUST BEGIN NOW RECRUITING CANDIDATES FOR THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE IN 2 YEARS. My fellow South Carolinians, rise up!!