Senate finds middle ground on immigration

Posted on May 2, 2008 
Filed Under News

Compromise bill passes, now heads to the House

COLUMBIA -The Senate passed a new immigration reform compromise Wednesday evening that adds teeth to violations by employers and demands online verification of eligibility for employment.

If the House agrees to it, the measure will be “the toughest anti-illegal-immigration bill in the country,” said Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston and leader of the Senate.

“They’re going to get what they wished for,” and more, McConnell said.

“We’ve tried to incorporate everybody’s concerns.” Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, one of three House members assigned to work out the differences between the two versions, said it sounded good.

“I’m really kind of surprised,” he said.

Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, said he was happy with the compromise.

He said he has been campaigning for next month’s primary elections and voters have told him “this is the No. 1 issue with them.”

The move came at the end of a day in which opponents tried to stall action by filibustering an attempt to add previous compromise language to a House bill sponsored by Viers that called for a study committee on immigration.

Sen. John Land, D-Manning, started the filibuster, saying the proposal was unfair to small businesses, especially farmers who need migrant labor.

“This would put the farming industry in South Carolina out of business,” Land said.

When a truckload of laborers arrives at dawn, “you can’t be running around e-verifying,” he said, referring to the federal online immigration status database.

He also objected to provisions that deny public services to illegal immigrants, saying he does not want to live in a state that would deny medical care to a sick child.

Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms, said the farmer does not have to do the verification.

The labor supplier would have to do it.

Land said that would still create an unreasonable burden.

Others noted the proposal did not include any penalties or means of enforcement against employers who hired illegal immigrants.

Land moved to table the amendment but members refused, 40-5, to table it.

McConnell then brought out the compromise version.

It adds civil, not criminal, penalties that range from $250 to $10,000, depending on the offense.

State Labor, Licensing and Regulation will handle the enforcement and checking of employer verifications.

The enforcement of knowingly hiring illegal immigrants would take effect as soon as the bill is signed.

In July, a notice would be sent to all employers that on July 1, 2009, the law would apply to businesses with 100 or more employees.

Those who hire fewer would have another year, to 2010, to comply.

McConnell said that gives all employers plenty of notice of what is coming so they can make arrangements to comply with the law.

The Senate proposal also puts back in place a provision that workers who are laid off and replaced by an illegal immigrant can sue and be repaid all damages, not just lost wages.

The changes passed on a voice vote with no audible opposition.

Gov. Mark Sanford immediately issued a statement criticizing the compromise and the Senate for not taking a recorded vote on the issue.

The measure will have a routine third reading today before being sent to the House. Viers said he is not sure if that will be in time for the House to take it up today. If not, it will be considered on Tuesday.

Lawmakers on Wednesday also expressed their indignation over the Rev. Philip Miles being held in prison in Russia and demanded his release.

Miles, pastor of Christ Community Church in Conway, was sentenced to three years in prison for taking rifle bullets as a gift to a friend he was visiting.

A resolution passed first by the House, then the Senate, says it is obvious that Miles was not attempting to commit a crime, and that legislators wish to express “great concern” for the welfare of Miles.

The resolution will be sent to Russian government officials.

Myrtle Beach Sun News
Zane Wilson
5/1/08