Immigration bill closer to vote

Posted on March 24, 2008 
Filed Under News

Myrtle Beach Sun News
By Zane Wilson
3/5/08

COLUMBIA –
House and Senate members trying to reach a compromise on their different versions of an immigration bill said Tuesday they think they can reach an agreement next week.

“I think we’re all in agreement we’d like to see something passed before we go home this year,” said Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Columbia.

The panel of three House and three Senate members took no official action, but went over a list of how their two bills differ.

Many of the differences are technical or in specific wording. The staff of the two houses was asked to review and recommend how to put the two bills in agreement.

The portions of the bills that are most in debate are the provisions the Senate added to require all employers to verify immigration status. The House bill required only those with public contracts to do so.

Another area of disagreement is how to enforce a ban on harboring an illegal immigrant. The exceptions, such as for charitable organizations, differ in the two bills.

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