Immigration Conference Committee Nears Agreement
Senator Jim Ritchie and Committee Members Build Strong Bill for South Carolina
Columbia, SC – Senate and House members of the illegal immigration conference committee are close to final agreement following today’s meeting. Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg), conference committee chairman, has led the effort to craft a nation-leading illegal immigration reform package and is the principal author of the Illegal Immigration Reform Act (S. 392). Following today’s conference committee meeting, Senator Ritchie announced his intention to finalize the committees work in hopes of sending a comprehensive illegal immigration reform bill to the Governor in the next two weeks.
Illegal immigration reform is vital for the safety and security of our communities. As states across the country work to address this crisis, we must work quickly to pass meaningful reforms for the people of South Carolina. This is a complicated issue that drives a lot of passion, and the reality is that we are trying to respond to a crisis that affects every town across this nation. While we cannot solve the larger federal issues of border security and immigration law enforcement, we can make South Carolina less attractive to illegal immigrants and the companies that hire illegal immigrants. As the chairman of this conference committee, I am working to answer the peoples calls for reform, says Senator Ritchie.
What we have done does not require substantial new money, it requires substantial political will and law enforcement’s follow through. And it requires our state government to get tough on companies that intentionally break the law, says Senator Ritchie. It takes all of theses elements working together to make this effort successful.
For the first time South Carolina will have a bill that contains language stating if an employer knowingly and willfully hires an illegal alien, they are breaking the law, says Senator Ritchie.
The joint conference committee is expected to meet again next week to review a final version of today’s work and vote on a Committee Report that will then be presented to the members of each chamber.
In addition to Senator Ritchie the conference committee consists of Senators Chip Campsen (R-Charleston), and Vincent Sheheen (D-Kershaw), as well as Representatives Jim Harrison (R-Richland), Greg Delleney (R-Chester), and Thad Viers (R-Horry).
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