South Carolina's new illegal immigrant law won't solve the nation's problem. In fact, the Palmetto State's law will make illegal immigration worse in other states.
As soon as Gov. Mark Sanford signs the law into effect, new illegal immigrants will get a clear message that they will not find a job in South Carolina. People here illegally already can stay as part of the compromise.
South Carolina's actions -- verification requirements will be phased in beginning next year -- will surely force neighboring states to protect themselves with similar legislation. Competing efforts by states to force illegal immigrants into neighboring states or regions is no way to create a national immigration policy.
America needs a solution to illegal immigration. It needs tighter borders and a sensible policy that deals with the millions of illegal immigrants already in this nation. Surely, if South Carolina can work out a compromise, anyone can.
Details of the Legislature's illegal immigration reform include:
* Requiring people to prove their lawful presence in the U.S. to receive public benefits, although some exceptions apply, such as for emergency medical treatment.
* Adding additional penalties for ID fraud in connection to an illegal immigrant.
* Requiring all businesses to check the legal status of workers by using a state driver's license, a license from another state that has the same eligibility requirements or E-Verify (a free, online database that lets employers check Social Security numbers).
* Mandating fines for employers between $100 and $1,000 for every time they fail to verify the legal status of a worker and charging employers who knowingly hire an illegal immigrant with a felony and suspend right of businesses to operate when they get caught with illegal workers.
* Allowing fired citizens to sue their former bosses if they're replaced by illegal workers.
* Prohibiting illegal immigrants from attending state universities or receiving state-funded college scholarships.
Lawmakers are right when they say it is a tough law that is likely to make illegal immigrants want to relocate to other states. But other states are passing tough legislation, too.
Real progress can only come from Congress and the president. States can only create the appearance of progress.
Immigrants: Not here? Really? : 6/5/2008
Unless you are 100% native American, you are all sons, daughters or grandchildren of immigrants. Did these Latino immigrants break the law, yes. Should they be punished for this crime, yes. Do Americans ever break laws? When was the last time you or some Citizen you know ran a stop sign, threw out a cigarette butt in the street or drank and drove? Lets face it, immigrants don't exactly corner the market on breaking laws. At least they do it to try and get ahead or just to survive. Ever been to a McDonalds run by immigrants? You get your burger in less than a minute and they won't let you stand there without helping you. Ever been to the McDonalds on hwy 17. Last time I was there, 4 of the born in the USA citizens, let me stand there for 4 mins while they teased each other and practiced a rap song. I think what we are all scared of, is whether we can absorb this many people into our economy. News flash... We already have. Now lets penalize them, make them pay their taxes and allow them the luxuries of buying car and health insurance like the rest of us. And lastly, may I remind you that Francis Marion was himself the son of a french immigrant. This country was and is built by immigrants.
immigration reform : 6/3/2008
It would be great if our state could have laws to discourage or limit the presence of illegal immigrants. The burden to legal citizens for the estimated 20 million illeal immigrants in this country is staggering. The US Census estimated the population of SC in 2006 at 4.2 million. Thus, illegal immigrants could fill 5 more states with a population equal to SC. How many schools, hospitals, prisons, and roads have we built to support this illegal population? They pay as few taxes as possible. They break many of our laws that just start with the illegal crossing of our international border. They bring diseases, crime, and human trafficing. Studies indicate their presence lowers our wages. However, I would be very surprised if any state or local laws will be allowed to stand. Our government, and courts, have repeatedly struck down any laws passed to control this problem. They resist the will of legal citizens to fix the problem by faking gridlock in Congress. Our only solution is to clear out Washington, repeatedly until we find representatives that yield to the will of legal citizens.
: 6/3/2008
there are some illegal immigrants that pay for health care and taxes.. i don't know if anyone is noticed but illegal immigrants are not the main people getting free health care.
it's about time : 6/2/2008
I have no issues with individuals that want to come to this country for a better life, but let's get real. Most illegal immigrants don't have a driver's license or insurance on their cars. I have to have a driver's license, pay taxes and have car insurance. I have to pay for my health care. If I don't I would be turned in to a credit agency because a have a social security number. Guess who gets health care and doesn't pay for it? If you want to live here, live like everybody else and do it the right way.