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Posted on 07/09/2003 4:52:15 PM PDT by lonewacko_dot_com
Tracy and Yaritza Rodriguez aren't taking any chances. [Absolutely heart-wrenching, tear-jerking story of a citizen and a legal immigrant being worried about being confused with illegal aliens deleted]...
Dubbed "The Illegal Alien Enforcement Act," the bill would authorize state and local law enforcement officers to arrest and detain individuals believed to be in the United States illegally until they can be handed over to federal authorities.
State Rep. John Altman, R-Charleston, introduced the bill in December 2002. He told The Greenville News last week that he felt it was necessary for state governments to enforce immigration because federal authorities were failing to "protect the borders."
"I want South Carolina to be known as a state that is very unfriendly to someone who is here illegally," said Altman. The bill currently sits in a House judiciary committee...
One local state representative said he disagrees with Altman's bill. Rep. Fletcher Smith, D-Greenville, said he welcomes all immigrants — be they legal or illegal — as long as they are not terrorists.
"I don't have any problem with them being here," said Smith. "I think they are some of the hardest-working people around and I think any time you have competition in the labor force, you get a better product."
[short interview with an illegal alien deleted]...
A University of North Carolina demographics expert said that while federal authorities may be hunting terrorists, any crackdown on immigrant laborers may spur a "backlash" from employers in construction, poultry processing and other industries who thrive on immigrant labor.
"None of the terrorists were Hispanic immigrants," said James Johnson, director of the university's Urban Investment Strategies Center. "Most of the people who would be caught would work for some firm in the community ... and moreover the person you capture would likely have a family and children born in America."
"Our economy hinges on these people coming here," he added.
(Excerpt) Read more at greenvilleonline.com ...
If you'd like to suggest a change to the reporter's M.O., his email is at top of the story, and his editors can be contacted through this page.
This pinhead should keep his opinions North of the border.
There are some agriculture based counties here with unemployment rates in the 20's.
I think it's great. If you entered the United States illegally, you broke the law again when you entered South Carolina. To jail you go until the feds can arrange for your deportation.
Those sporty Mexican Consular cards should help us spot the illegals. Great idea!
One local state representative said he disagrees with Altman's bill. Rep. Fletcher Smith, D-Greenville, said he welcomes all immigrants — be they legal or illegal — as long as they are not terrorists. "I don't have any problem with them being here," said Smith. "I think they are some of the hardest-working people around and I think any time you have competition in the labor force, you get a better product."
Excuse me Fletch. What part of, "If they're here illegally then they are CRIMINALS" don't you understand.
Thank goodness some state politicos have the cojones to do what the Feds won't. Track down the criminal aliens and lock 'em up!
That should count as much as the tax policy and other conservative pluses for a state.
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