Issue Focus: Illegal Immigration

Last week was truly historic for the S.C. House of Representatives. We debated and passed significant legislation dealing with the issue of illegal aliens in South Carolina.

The number of illegal aliens in our state has skyrocketed in recent years with no signs of slowing if we do not act. This is an issue that affects all of us because of the strain it puts on our state’s resources. In essence, we all literally pay the price for the immigrants who enter our country and our state illegally.

Most of us would agree that issue really should be addressed at the federal level rather than the state one. However, over the last few years we have witnessed an unwillingness or inability to address illegal immigration on the federal level. This has caused individual states to take action.

The legislation we passed certainly does not address every facet of this very complex issue. However, we have made a legitimate attempt to address the major parts. The following is a short description of what is contained in the bill. If you need additional information, please let me know.

Rep. Bill Sandifer

The South Carolina Plan Bill Summary

Memorandum of Understanding

The Chief of SLED will enter into negotiations with the Federal Government to attempt to reach an understanding that would allow South Carolina to enforce federal immigration laws on the state level, determine reimbursement for the detention of illegals, training of law enforcement and deportation.

Crimes Committed by Illegal Aliens

Law enforcement will ascertain the immigration status of any person arrested and detained for committing a crime. If the arrested person is illegally in the US, law enforcement will notify the Department of Home Land Security and the cost of the detainment will be billed to the federal government.

Bond for Illegal Aliens

A magistrate setting bond will consider a persons immigration status when setting that person’s bond.

Illegal Alien Financial Fraud

A person cannot create or alter financial documents used to gain illegal entry into the US and they will lose any benefits received from this fraud. Also, provides a civil cause of action for any person who can show an ascertainable loss as a result of such a fraud.

No Sanctuary Cities

No town or City in South Carolina can ignore our immigration laws and become a safe haven for illegal aliens, as has happened in some cities around the country.

No Public College Admission and No Scholarships for Illegal Aliens

No illegal alien would be permitted to attend any state supported college or university in South Carolina. Also, no illegal alien will receive any state sanctioned scholarships or benefits if they were to attend a private college or university.

Illegals will not receive benefits from South Carolina Taxpayers

Illegal aliens will not be entitled to public benefits provided by taxpayer funds. Signed affidavits will serve as temporary authorization until status is verified through the SAVE program. Falsifying an affidavit will be a felony offence.

There are certain legal exclusions such as disaster relief, criminal domestic violence services and emergency medical services.

Public Employment of illegal aliens

Employers who have public contracts must verify the legal status of employees through a federal work authorization program.

Employment Protection for South Carolinians

Creates a civil right of action against any employer who terminates an employee while retaining a person the employer knows or should know is not legally present in the US.

However, if an employer voluntarily submits a list of their employees through an internet-based program run by the Department of Homeland Security, they will be held harmless from the aforementioned cause of action.

No Harboring of Illegal Aliens

Makes it a felony to transport, conceal, harbor or shelter an illegal alien with the goal of furthering that illegal presence.