Senator Jim Ritchie: “A victory for the people of South Carolina”
Filed Under Caucus, Ritchie | Leave a Comment
SPARTANBURG, SC — Senator Jim Ritchie (R - Spartanburg) issued the following statement today following Senate passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform Act:
“Today’s action is a victory for the people of South Carolina. After nearly two years of passionate and oftentimes heated debate, we are on the verge of meaningful, enforceable illegal immigration reform. Our bill is the strongest in the nation. It builds on the successes of other states and ensures that all businesses in South Carolina uphold the rule of law.
I’m proud to have led this effort and appreciate the hard work of the people to keep this critical legislation at the forefront. In a process where all too often contentious reforms fail, we’ve been successful in keeping this fight alive. I look forward to continuing our efforts until this bill is signed into law.”
###
Senate Gives Final Approval to Immigration Reform Bill
Filed Under Caucus, McConnell, Ritchie, Top News | Leave a Comment
Columbia, SC - The Senate today gave final approval to the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act (H.4400). The bill, which now goes to the House of Representatives, is the most comprehensive immigration reform bill in the country. The legislation addresses the major issues in the fight for illegal immigration reform, including employer verification for all employers through the federal E-verify system or with a valid SC driver’s license.
“Today the Senate passed the most effective reform bill in the nation. It has a strong E-verify requirement and very aggressive penalties for those who knowing hire illegal aliens,” says Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg). “Everyone will now be playing by the same rules and those who choose to break the rules will be punished. Senator Ritchie introduced the first comprehensive immigration reform bill in February 2007, but says “today’s success was made possible by the extensive behind-the-scenes work of Senator Glenn McConnell.”
Senator McConnell (R-Charleston) worked extensively with House leadership to find common ground on some of the major sticking points of previous legislation. “This bill enjoyed wide support before the Senate included private employers. After private employers became a part of the equation it took the work of everyone, the House leadership, Senator Ritchie, Senator Campsen, and the leadership across the aisle to bring in private employers in a way that adheres to federal law, but has the enforceability elements to create a strong bill.”
Senator Ritchie and the Senate Republican Caucus also extend their appreciation to the governor for his consistent support of illegal immigration reform. In a statement release after the bill received a key second reading on Tuesday, May 27, the governor said “There’s been a lot of back and forth on this bill over the past few weeks, but we believe the end result that the Senate approved today is what everyone was after the whole time – a strong and enforceable immigration bill.” The governor went on to say he is looking forward to the bill coming to his desk as soon as possible.
###
Progress on immigration
Filed Under Caucus, McConnell, Ritchie, Top News | 1 Comment
State Senate passes breakthrough reform plan
Immigration reform
The issue: State legislators have been wrestling over how employers verify whether a worker is in the country legally.
What happened: The Senate approved a bill that would impose fines on employers up to $10,000 for each illegally hired worker.
What’s next?: The Senate agreed to give the bill automatic final approval today and send the bill to the House for consideration next week. Read more
Video: Jim Ritchie on Immigration Reform
Filed Under Caucus, Ritchie | 1 Comment
Senator Jim Ritchie talks with the Spartanburg Herald Journal’s Bob Dalton about the immigration reform debate.
