another fight for immigration reform
Today, Sen. Jim Ritchie placed an objection on the whole calendar until another attempt is made at meaningful immigration reform. This means that the Senate will not take up any legislation until this matter is debated once again. We’ve found a new “vehicle” House bill H. 3032. Since this bill has passed the SC House already, we have the chance to beef up a piece of legislation, send it to the House. H. 3032 cannot amend this bill, only vote to “concur” or “non-concur”.
Sen. Ritchie has drafted a “strike-and-insert” amendment that inserts strict definitions of legal status of workers. I am also a sponsor of this amendment which will require all employers, whether State contract or not, to use either the e-verify or a SC drivers license to determine employees status. This is a great step in the direction of true immigration reform. A document called the “i9” is currently being used to verify status. This “i9” is virtually a joke (explained here), since the requirements to obtain an i9 are so lenient.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Yes, one solution to the problem is getting rid of the “illegal immegration magnet.” On the other hand, we must provide legal paths for these immegrants. This would need to be done through federal guest worker programs. Not the the red tape infested H1 A, H1 B, H2 A,H2 B programs, but one that runs on the basis of suply and demand. The guest work program is the next step after verifacation.
“Sealing” our boarders will not work. As someone I know says: “They can just get their handy dandy chain saws and cut through the fence.” Smugglers also nullify the effectiveness of the fence.
In conclusion, we must remember formost, that immigrants, regaurdless of thier immigration status, are image bearers of God. In addition, South Carlina is taking steps twards “solving” this crisis. However, all of the United States of America must participate in this effort in order for it to operate effectively.