Leatherman: Senate Passes Illegal Immigration Reform

Filed Under Caucus, Leatherman

As the regular session of the 117th General Assembly has wrapped up, I want to take a moment to describe in greater depth some of the legislation that the Senate was successful in passing. During the next several weeks, I will be emailing you regarding some of the different issues that I believe are important to the citizens of Florence County.

Republicans and Democrats alike, worked very hard to ensure that our great state would be a better and more prosperous place to call home.

The particular piece of immigration-reform legislation that the Senate passed broadens the scope of what we can do as a state to address this growing dilemma. It provides assurances to the citizens and businesses of South Carolina that when tax dollars are being spent on public projects, those dollars are not going to workers who are here illegally. Anyone who wants to do business with local and state governments in our state will have to meet higher standards for proof of citizenship for all of their employees.

In addition to the employee citizenship verification, this legislation directs that all local and state agencies verify the lawful residence of any person in the U.S., who seeks public-assistance benefits such as Medicaid.

Among the described mandates, this legislation additionally allows the state of South Carolina to withhold the wages of any individual who provided false or fraudulent documents. Lastly, this reform legislation now allows anyone who has been convicted of knowingly harboring or transporting illegal aliens to be charged with a state felony offense.

I trust that when the House returns in January, they will pass this legislation very swiftly so it can become law.

Once again, if I can ever be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours very truly,

Hugh K. Leatherman
South Carolina Senator
District 31, Florence and Darlington Counties

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