NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — House Republican leaders unveiled an immigration reform plan Monday that would bill the federal government for the cost of detaining illegal immigrants and prevent illegals from attending any public college.
“I’ve heard a loud message from South Carolinians all over the state and they are overwhelmingly saying we need to do something,” said House Speaker Bobby Harrell, who estimated 75,000 illegal immigrants in the state.
However, the number of illegal immigrants is difficult to determine.
The latest Census estimate puts South Carolina’s Hispanic and Latino population at roughly 130,000. Advocates say it’s probably more than three times that number.
Changes to the state’s immigration laws have failed to pass the Legislature in recent years.
“We believe the time is now – that the public has made it very clear they want this dealt with,” said Harrell, R-Charleston.
Under the plan, the state would seek an agreement with the federal government to enforce immigration laws and be reimbursed for training officers and detaining illegals. The proposal would also restrict state money for communities declaring themselves sanctuary cities, which aid illegal immigrants without reporting them to the authorities.
