SC lawmakers ready to debate illegal immigration, again

Now that the four public hearings on illegal immigration are over in South Carolina, lawmakers will take what they’ve heard from the hearings as they decide how to handle the issue. After hearing from the public in North Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina lawmakers will continue debating the crackdown on illegal immigration. Pickens Senator Larry Martin is a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and has been a strong advocate for an aggressive solution.

We certainly can take the steps that we believe that will enable South Carolina to be more aggressive in its enforcement of the immigration laws that we have on the books. And, hopefully diminish the problem that we’ve experienced in South Carolina on illegal immigration.

One of those problems–the state is facing a $1 billion budget shortfall this coming year, and is reportedly continuing to pay to house illegal immigrants in prisons and jails, fund the process that takes them through the judicial system, and provide schooling and social service support for their children. Martin says the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee will now consider the testimonies from the public hearings. He and a panel of lawmakers will discuss a draft of a legislation that would build on the 2008 law that banned employers from using illegal workers.