Caucus Press Release: Harrell, Merrill Unveil Immigration Reform Package
Jan 7, 2008
Speaker Harrell
SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Office of the Speaker
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2008
Contact: Greg Foster
(803) 734-3125
fosterg@scstatehouse.net
The South Carolina Plan
Speaker Harrell, Majority Leader Merrill and House Republican Caucus release comprehensive immigration reform package
COLUMBIA - Today, in a series of press conferences around the state, House Speaker Bobby Harrell, House Majority Leader Jim Merrill and House Republican Caucus members gathered to release The South Carolina Plan, a comprehensive immigration reform package for our state.
"After talking with constituents around our state, it is clear that South Carolinians want to see something done about illegal immigration," said Speaker Harrell. "The South Carolina Plan is the strongest reform package anyone has put together and it addresses this issue head on."
Majority Leader Merrill
House Majority Leader Jim Merrill said, "The House Republican Caucus will work together and pass a strong immigration reform bill for the third year in a row. We call on the Senate to take quick action on these needed reforms so South Carolinians can see the changes they have asked for passed into law."
Caucus members unveiled The South Carolina Plan on Monday, the day before the start of the 2008 legislative session to address one of the issues constituents care about the most this year.
Speaker Harrell continued, "The past two years the House has passed a variety of immigration reform bills, but unfortunately none have made it all the way through the process and become law. Now for the third year in a row the House Republican Caucus is committed to passing a comprehensive reform bill."
The number of illegal immigrants in South Carolina has exploded in the last decade 15 fold from the estimated 5,000 that were here ten years ago. To date, there are an estimated 75,000 illegal aliens residing in our state.
From what we know and can calculate, illegal immigration is costing South Carolina taxpayers over $186 million a year. A cost that will grow exponentially if nothing is done.
States are limited in the overall actions they can take on the issue of illegal immigration. The true power of change lies at the federal level but, despite the best efforts of our Congressional Delegation, Congress has been unable to get behind any kind of solution at all and our national borders remain wide open.
Speaker Harrell said, "It has become clear that if we want something done, we're going to have to do it ourselves. If our state does not take action while our neighboring states continue to, South Carolina will become a safe haven for illegal aliens and our taxpayers will heavily bear that cost."
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