The S.C. House on Wednesday passed major immigration reform.
There are some lofty goals and rules in this thing, some of which I think you'd be hard fought in regulating.
I especially like the section that says the feds will be billed the cost of housing illegal immigrants in county jails.
I wonder if anyone asked the feds if they'll mind being billed and if they have any intention of paying.
Take a look at it below and tell me what you think.
Best,
Ian

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.

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Greg Foster
Communications Director
Office of the Speaker
South Carolina House of Representatives
(803) 734-3125