Why worry about immigration in South Carolina?

South Carolina needs to act, and has every right to act, on the illegal immigration issue. Why?

You see, with Georgia passing a comprehensive immigration bill (passed in the spring of 2006) and North Carolina and Tennessee working on one likewise, it just seems to make sense that the illegals would come here since we are giving away state services to them - such as taxpayer supported education, medicaid and other social services.

For instance, just think about the non-english speaking impact on public education and PACT results as one example.

But, hey, this is a Federal issue, right? Come on, folks, it is your tax dollars here in South Carolina that pay for a lot of the freebies for these immigrants. That is why it is a state issue - and even more so with the Congress failing to do anything substantive.

Rep. Mike Pitts filed a comprehensive bill this winter, as did Sen. Chip Campsen. We have tried to recall Senate Bill S392 from House Judiciary all spring. I know I have tried numerous times, as has Rep. Mike Pitts, Rep. Eric Bedingfield and Rep. Dwight Loftis. Thanks to these guys!

Boo to Rep. Gloria Haskins, Rep. John Scott, Rep. Harry Ott, Rep. Chris Hart and Rep. Bakari Sellers for blocking any immigration debate on the House floor. Contrary to other opponents like the State Chamber of Commerce and Farm Bureau, the majority of citizens in this state want to see us tackle the immigration issue. And we can do a few small things to make the environment less attractive to illegals - and that is what we are talking about - illegals - folks who have broken one major United States law by crossing the border.

Just Food for thought: It is my understanding that there is no Federal cap on the number of agriculture workers that can be brought into the US with a green card work visa. They shouldn't need illegals, then. Work with us here, guys. I don't think anyone wants to hurt the agriculture community's ability to grow, pick or milk this nation's food.

(EDITED INSERT - June 19th - see also IMMIGRATION ROUND 2) I fully understand that the agriculture industries have trouble getting and keeping the necessary labor. And the lack of a Federal cap doesn't mean that there is an unlimited supply of laborers, as one would assume. But the question to ask is "Is there a means to work within the current system to bring in the necessary legal workers to satisfy the demands of the agriculture industry?"

And to the manufacturing community: Make a good faith effort to check immigration status, document everything and then don't worry about the state penalizing you. All the bills that I have seen simply want you to make a good faith effort. I know you are already doing this - because you shouldn't want to - and don't - hire illegals, right?

To our Congressional Delegation: First Things First: SECURE OUR BORDERS! The will of the people is there. Spend what it takes. You can justify it, since that is what the American people seem to want. If we don't stop the tide, the rest is just rhetorical anyway. A monumental task? Sure it is. But we are Americans and we can do anything we put our minds to. Build what you need, hire what you need - and "git 'er done." You eat an elephant one bite at a time. And while we are stopping the flow, you guys in Washington can work out how we deal with the 12 million or so illegals that are already here, as well as the "who, how and how many LEGAL immigrants" that we Americans want to let into OUR COUNTRY every year.

The Impact: I stumbled onto this video clip which puts the numbers into perspective. It is worth watching for the 14 or so minutes it takes.
www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4094926727128068265