Jeanfromfillmore
05-25-2010, 09:07 PM
A bill in South Carolina similar to controversial new laws in Arizona would allow authorities to check the legal status of anyone stopped or arrested, according to recent reports.
A state Senate subcommittee is considering the bill, although some say it is too late in the legislative session for the bill to become law this year.
Winthrop University political science Professor Scott Hoffman told the Miami Herald that the discussion is merely symbolic.
“By doing it when they don’t actually have time to pass the legislation, they get credit for the symbolic stand without having to worry about how to fund the measure,” said Scott Huffman, a Winthrop University political science professor.
However, none of the five members on the committee are up for re-election, Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, reportedly pointed out.
According to the Herald, police officers would need reasonable suspicion that the person entered the country illegally and people questioned would have to provide state or federal ID or a tribal enrollment card. The bill would also prohibit hiring illegal immigrants for day labor.
Arizona’s tough laws targeting illegal immigrants passed in April.
The legislation has spurred protests across the country and boycotts of Arizona. Some states have rejected Arizona’s laws, including border states of Texas, New Mexico and California.
Still, lawmakers in Tennessee recently commended Arizona on the legislation and the controversy over Arizona has highlighted similar bills up for consideration in Louisiana.
http://politic365.com/2010/05/25/arizona-like-illegal-immigration-laws-may-be-headed-to-the-carolinas/
A state Senate subcommittee is considering the bill, although some say it is too late in the legislative session for the bill to become law this year.
Winthrop University political science Professor Scott Hoffman told the Miami Herald that the discussion is merely symbolic.
“By doing it when they don’t actually have time to pass the legislation, they get credit for the symbolic stand without having to worry about how to fund the measure,” said Scott Huffman, a Winthrop University political science professor.
However, none of the five members on the committee are up for re-election, Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, reportedly pointed out.
According to the Herald, police officers would need reasonable suspicion that the person entered the country illegally and people questioned would have to provide state or federal ID or a tribal enrollment card. The bill would also prohibit hiring illegal immigrants for day labor.
Arizona’s tough laws targeting illegal immigrants passed in April.
The legislation has spurred protests across the country and boycotts of Arizona. Some states have rejected Arizona’s laws, including border states of Texas, New Mexico and California.
Still, lawmakers in Tennessee recently commended Arizona on the legislation and the controversy over Arizona has highlighted similar bills up for consideration in Louisiana.
http://politic365.com/2010/05/25/arizona-like-illegal-immigration-laws-may-be-headed-to-the-carolinas/