Analysis: Student visa concern highlighted
SHAUN WATERMANPublished: December 13, 2007WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- The arrest on firearms charges of a Moroccan student at the University of South Florida has highlighted what critics say are continuing security loopholes in the way U.S. visas are issued to those who want to come here to study.
A bill introduced in the House Thursday would tighten security procedures for student visa issuance and introduce new registration requirements for students during their stay.

Opponents say the provisions are onerous and run counter to the need to improve the image of the United States. Bringing foreign students here is a major priority for U.S. public diplomacy, say officials, and surveys show that those who visit the United States -- even from traditionally hostile populations in the Middle East -- have consistently more positive views of the country.

Moroccan student Karim Moussaoui appeared in court in Tampa, Fla., Thursday facing federal firearms charges arising out of a visit in July to a shooting range with two fellow students, Youssef Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed.

Megahed and Mohamed, both Egyptian nationals, were arrested in South Carolina in August and charged with having explosive material in their car.

Mohamed later was charged with terrorist offences after he was accused of making and posting on the Internet a video showing how to use a remote-controlled toy as a bomb detonator.

Moussaoui is charged with having a firearm, which is illegal for anyone in the country on a non-immigrant visa, such as a student visa, and faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.

According to the complaint, after Moussaoui told federal agents he had visited the range but not used a weapon there, investigators found a picture of him on Magahed's computer "standing at a firing lane possessing a shoulder-fired weapon and wearing the type of hearing protection s******* use at a shooting range."

He was released Thursday on a $50,000 signature bail bond, after surrendering his passport and agreeing to electronic monitoring.

Moussaoui's attorney, Stephen Crawford, told the Tampa Tribune the charge was "a relatively minor offense" and said Moussaoui was being prosecuted because of his connection to the two Egyptians. "The reason we are here in federal court is he is a friend of Mr. Mohamed and Mr. Megahed," Crawford said.

Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., the author of the bill introduced Thursday, believes Moussaoui's arrest is "another reason to consider this legislation," said spokesman John Tomaszewski.

The bill would increase the registration requirements for foreign students. Currently they must check in with a designated school official upon arrival and at the end of each semester, to verify they are still attending classes and fulfilling the other requirements of their visa.

Under the bill, they would have to check in every 30 days.

Safiya Ghori, government relations director for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, called the provision "very troubling."

"They are already under scrutiny," she said of foreign students. "The presumption (of the bill) is that they are a threat."

Tomaszewski said that Bilirakis recognized the importance of student visas as a public diplomacy tool, but pointed out the number of them had only just recovered to pre-Sept. 11, 2001, levels.

"It would only take one bad apple to ruin" all that progress, he said, "one person to slip through the net with bad intentions."

The bill would also require Department of Homeland Security officials based in embassy consular affairs sections to review all student visa applications before they are decided.

"You need a system in place that screens all these applicants before they get here," said Tomaszewski. "There are some holes in the system."

The officials, called visa security officers, are currently based at a number of embassies around the world, in so-called countries of concern, almost all in the Middle East or with large Muslim populations.

Currently, the officers review visa applications, including ones from would-be students, using a risk management approach -- focusing on those with certain "red flags," said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Michael Keegan.

"They are focused on those (applications) which are higher level risks for fraud or national security," Keegan told UPI. As is customary, he declined to comment on pending legislation.

Critics fretted that the additional checks would slow down an already elongated visa application process for would-be students.

"There's no question that this will have a special impact on students from the Middle East and other Muslim countries," said Ghori.

Currently the State Department "bends over backwards to make the process as smooth as possible," said an official authorized to speak to the media. He said embassies had a specially expedited interview procedure for students whose school starting dates were looming.

"Our goal is that no one should miss their class," the official said.

© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
http://www.metimes.com/Security/2007/12/13/analysis_stu...rn_highlighted/c9c6/

TENNESSEE, SPRINGFIELD

Fake ID Suppliers Busted In Robertson County

Dec 13, 2007 12:35 AM EST

SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. - Federal agents charged two people with making and selling fake identification in Robertson County.

Investigators said illegal immigrants buy the IDs so they can get jobs in the United States.

Last week, a NewsChannel 5 investigation revealed how big the problem is.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE call them document vendors. They are people who make and buy fake IDs then sell them to undocumented immigrants.

A grand jury indicted Jose De La Rosa and Angelica Rivera-Montes on a number of charges.

In court late Wednesday, an interpreter told them they are accused of selling birth certificates, and Social Security cards.

Agents believe De La Rosa was also involved in the process of making these fake documents. For more than a month, NewsChannel 5 examined the problem in Springfield.

Through hidden cameras and undercover decoys, NewsChannel 5 discovered how easy it was to buy fake identification for employment.

De La Rosa and Rivera-Montes are in jail awaiting trial.

Each pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday.

Anyone caught selling a birth certificate could face up to 10 years in jail for each count.

The penalty for selling a fake Social Security card is five years in prison.

IOWA, FT. DODGE

Illegal immigrants caught near FD

By BILL SHEA, Messenger staff writer
December 12, 2007

Three men from Mexico were facing deportation after being arrested near Fort Dodge recently, authorities said.

Federal investigators determined the three were in the country illegally and took them into custody, according to Tim Counts, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He did not know their names.

The three were in a speeding pickup that a trooper stopped at about 7:30 a.m. Dec. 4, according to Lt. Kelly Hindman of the Iowa State Patrol. He said the truck was spotted on Iowa Highway 7 west of Fort Dodge. It stopped in the driveway of the Tate & Lyle construction site, but Hindman didn’t know if the three men worked there.

None of the men had legal documentation, so Immigration and Customs Enforcement was called, he said. He said the three did not try to run or resist arrest.

It was the second time in a few months that state troopers have found illegal immigrants while making a traffic stop in Webster County. Hindman said the earlier stop involved 14 illegal immigrants in a van that was stopped on U.S. Highway 20 near the patrol’s Post 7 building. Those people were also turned over to the federal agency.

TENNESSEE, SPRINGFIELD

Investigation: Plant A Magnet For Illegal Immigrants

Posted: Dec 6, 2007 12:38 AM EST

SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. - A hidden camera investigation conducted by NewsChannel 5 revealed Springfield's biggest employer may be the biggest offender when it comes to hiring undocumented immigrants.

Electrolux is one of the largest manufacturing plants in Middle Tennessee.

It employs thousands of workers.

But a NewsChannel 5 investigation uncovered some disturbing facts about many of those employees.

From city leaders to factory employees, several people said the same thing about Electrolux. They said illegal immigrants, not Americans, comprise a large portion of its workforce.

Three years ago, the company announced it would add hundreds of new jobs to Robertson County, and local residents were excited about the hundreds of new jobs it would bring.

"They tend to project a family-oriented business here," said an employee.

Its opening was seen as a surefire boost to the local economy.

"You know they care so it's a perfect place for a single mom to be," said an employee.

But how many of those jobs went to American workers?

"This is what Springfield, Robertson County is," said Amanda Clack, a former employee. "They are taking over."

Clack few positions went to Americans.

She claims Electrolux is a big draw for immigrants.

"Ninety percent of that plant is Mexicans," she said. "Maybe 5 percent white, 5 percent black."

"There's only two people next to me who speak English, the rest of them are Hispanic around me," said an employee.

"They constantly want to say we're going to go to Mexico,' another employee said. "Why go to Mexico, when Mexico is here."

To get hired at Electrolux, applicants first go through a staffing agency called Randstad. Hiring occurs inside a trailer next to the plant. Four people equipped with hidden cameras went to the trailer to see what happens.

One person ventured into Randstad under the premise that she recently arrived in this country and needed a job.

While waiting to fill out paperwork, she met a man who was reapplying.

He allegedly reapplied using fake documentations.

The man told the decoy about someone he knew who provided fake documents.

Outside the trailer, he told her how much.

"Around $900 you will get a birth certificate, a social security number from Puerto Rico," he said. "It has a name and address and everything."

He showed her his own fake state identification.

"It's easy to get the job, and you don't have to speak English," he said.

Around town, the decoys sent by NewsChannel 5 learned Electrolux is the best place to work for undocumented immigrants.

"It's around $800 to get a social security number," one man said.

They also learned about a Puerto Rican black market in which identities are bought and sold.

No one seems to care if they're caught.

"They are reapplying because they are getting fired, and then they are reapplying with other documentations, and then getting hired again," said one decoy.

An applicant works for Randstad, but at Electrolux, for the first three while their papers are being verified.

"There's plenty of people there," one man said. "Some that will be fired today and they go and buy different papers, and then they go either to a different shift, or the same shift."

"Now, they need a lot of people, but there's no people to hire," he said. "And yes, they know those documents do not belong to us."

Randstad and Electrolux denied anything like this goes on.

But one man who urged the undercover decoy to apply with Randstad, saying Randstad knew his papers were fake, but rehired him anyway.

"Every one of us goes there and nothing happens," he said. "Don't be afraid. I worked there three years and nothing happened."

The situation at Electrolux has left many in Springfield with a familiar frustration.

"Since the Mexicans will work for lower amounts of money, they will hire them, and then leaving us out here, not being able to find a job," Clack said.

Randstad denies any wrongdoing.

A spokeswoman said they have an outside company that also checks to make sure the documents they receive are real. Springfield City Manager Paul Nutting said what the investigation revealed wasn't something new to him.

He said he's known about this issue for years and it's had a negative impact on Springfield.

In an interview Thursday, he discusses the Electrolux situation.

Electrolux also defended its hiring practices in a statement.

"We are confident that this process of independently verifying employee documentation minimizes the chances of undocumented workers slipping through," according to a written statement from a spokesman. "If any should, they eventually will be identified, and fired."

IOWA

Culver backs immigration crackdown

By CHARLOTTE EBY, Courier Des Moines Bureau
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:38 PM CST

DES MOINES --- Iowa Gov. Chet Culver and legislative leaders said Wednesday they will look at ways to crack down on illegal immigration in the state by targeting employers who knowingly hire illegal workers.

Top Democratic leaders rolled out the idea at a seminar for journalists at the State Capitol four weeks before state lawmakers convene for the 2008 session on Jan. 14.

"Anything we can do to hold anyone accountable related to illegal immigration, I support," Culver told reporters.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, said state lawmakers will take a strong, aggressive focus on dealing with illegal immigration because federal authorities have not enforced the laws.

"The federal government has completely failed in its role," McCarthy said.

Democrats are looking at creating criminal and civil penalties at the state level for employers who knowingly hire or contract with illegal immigrants.

McCarthy acknowledges the constraints on what Iowa officials can do, but said they are looking at what other states have done and will have a variety of proposals for lawmakers to consider.

Democrats say some employers have sought out illegal immigrants to work for them as independent contractors rather than putting them on the payrolls as full-fledged employees.

House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, said he hears of abuses of contracting with illegal immigrants especially in the construction industry.

"The bottom line is, if we catch people here in the future, we want them to know they’re going to face stiff penalties, including jail time," Murphy said.

Murphy ruled out the idea that lawmakers would consider granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

"We will not be taking up driver's licenses for illegal immigrants in this state, period," Murphy said.

House Minority Whip Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, agreed federal authorities are failing to enforce immigration laws and predicted his GOP colleagues would be on board with imposing penalties on employers at the state level.

"I think House Republicans believe (if) you knowingly break the law, there's consequences that go with that," Paulsen said.

Contact Charlotte Eby at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.

ARIZONA, MESA

Mesa police could join immigration war

Jason Massad, Tribune
December 14, 2007 - 2:14AM

Mesa will pursue an effort to cross-train police officers in its jails to flag and help deport illegal immigrants arrested for criminal offenses.

In a symbolic move, the City Council agreed Thursday to send a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, asking when Mesa officers could be trained to act as immigration officers.

“The inability of Congress to enact meaningful immigration reform has left cities like Mesa with no alternative but to seek local solutions,” the letter states.


The council’s move is a reversal from a year ago, when it backed off a proposal to cross-train officers in immigration law and enact local ordinances to crack down on people loitering on street corners while looking for work.


However, in recent weeks, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has sent teams of deputies to Mesa that have pulled people over for traffic violations and asked about the violators’ citizenship status.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon has been considering changing a long-standing police policy that bars officers from asking about the immigration status of people they arrest.


Mesa’s policy would not include police officers on patrol questioning a person’s citizenship status.

Mesa officials talked Thursday about cross-training less than 10 officers who would serve in the city’s detention facilities.

Police Chief George Gascón said Thursday “liability” increases when officers on patrol are enforcing immigration laws without supervision from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

A year ago, Gascón said people in Mesa could be deterred from reporting crimes if they feared they could be deported for doing so, and that the department didn’t have the resources to enforce federal law.

Gascón said he has been pushing for cross-training officers to serve in the city’s holding facilities since September. He said he would not support cross-training officers only for arresting people based on their immigration status.

“I think the problem with patrol is that you have to be extremely careful about how it is implemented,” he said. “We have to have the trust of the communities that we serve.”

Gascón and Arpaio have been publicly feuding in recent weeks over Arpaio’s immigration law enforcement efforts in Mesa.

Vice Mayor Claudia Walters, running for mayor, said Mesa’s strategy on enforcing immigration law is one of practicality.

“We thought that the place to have the highest level of impact is to do this in the jails,” Walters said.

Leaders in Mesa’s immigrant community said the recent crackdown on immigration has scared Hispanics.

“People feel it’s unfair,” said Magdalena Schwartz, director of the Mesa-based Latino Community Services, which helps people obtain green cards and citizenship. “They have a lot of fear. They are afraid to go shopping. ... They’re afraid to go to the grocery store and to take their children to school.”

She said the push to have police identify illegal immigrants could force law enforcement to pull resources away from more serious crimes.

Mesa police have cultivated a good relationship with the immigrant community, which could be jeopardized if Mesa shifts its policy, she said.

“If the police department wants to work with immigration we cannot invite them to our forums anymore,” she said. “We would not be able to trust them anymore.”

Councilman Scott Somers said the city hasn’t been doing a good job of detailing Mesa’s enforcement effort on illegal immigration.

Arrests at drop houses and motels catering to illegal immigrants have led to cooperation with ICE and hundreds of deportations of those involved in criminal activity.

“It was defined today,” Somers said. “The criminal — those are the ones we have to go after.”

Currently, the federal program to cross-train officers in immigration law is unfunded.


Somers said if the city was successful in its request, officers in jails could be cross-trained as early as the next budget year, which begins this summer.

He said he supports cross-training officers in the field, although the city has made no formal move to do that.

Cross-trained officers could be assigned to the SWAT team, an investigation team and DUI checkpoints.

SOUTH CAROLINA

State plans to pass its own illegal immigration bill

By MICHAEL WELLES SHAPIRO
mshapiro@islandpacket.com
843-706-8142
Published Friday, December 14, 2007


Two state senators told Hilton Head Island residents Thursday that the South Carolina legislature is expected to pass a far-reaching illegal immigration bill by February.

Sens. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, and Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, fielded questions from more than 100 residents who turned out for the midmorning meeting and who mostly supported the idea of statewide action to halt illegal immigration.

Ritchie and Ceips spent about 20 minutes promoting the legislative effort before turning things over to the animated crowd, which voiced strong opinions and delivered spirited speeches on the issue of illegal immigration.

Richard Dolan said, "The reason we have this problem is employers are making billions," by using cheaper illegal immigrant labor.

"Let's call a spade a spade," he said. "This is all about money."


The bill Ritchie and Ceips touted, which they said would be further amended next year, aims to make South Carolina a less attractive place for illegal immigrants to work and live.

In its current form, the bill says that:

• For a business to claim tax deductions on its workers' pay, it would have to have copies of a driver's license or state ID card as well as a second form of picture ID.

• State and local agencies would have to verify the legal status of any person seeking public assistance.

• Businesses who fire legal workers for the specific purpose of hiring illegal immigrants could be held liable for damages under state law.

• State and local agencies could only have contracts with businesses that employ legal workers.


At the local level, Beaufort County's ordinance to discourage businesses from hiring illegal immigrants goes into effect on Jan. 1. Employers will be required to keep copies of I-9 forms, which have workers' names and Social Security numbers. Then, a county business licensing director would ensure that businesses have properly filled-out I-9 forms for all its employees or risk losing its license.

At Thursday's meeting, emotions ran high at times over the issue of hiring illegal immigrants.

Paul McGovern, who owns McTrim Inc., an island carpentry business, said a booming illegal immigrant labor force has made it hard for him to run his business in recent years.

McGovern said in 2001 he was making $600,000 and had nine employees, but by 2005 he only brought in $175,000 while employing one to two workers. He said competing with companies who pay illegal immigrants $10-an-hour forces employers to choose between providing benefits and health care and getting laborers.

"I believe everybody should have health care, but when it puts me at a tremendous disadvantage, it's hard."

Flor Chaverri said she thinksillegal immigrants are being blamed for problems that in many cases they had very little to do with.

"I have friends who are illegal, but you know what, the industry needed them to work.

"We are being treated as terrorists," said Chaverri. But "we didn't come to destroy. We came to build."

ILLINOIS, (LAKE COUNTY)

Business leaders oppose sheriff's immigration move

By Corrinne Hess | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 12/14/2007 12:29 AMSend To:

A group of Lake County business leaders urged the sheriff's department Thursday to reconsider its application to the federal government to let officers deport illegal immigrants convicted of a crime.

The Waukegan Leadership Council sent a letter dated Dec. 10 to Sheriff Mark Curran and held a news conference Thursday opposing the application for 287 (g) certification -- a section of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act that empowers local law officers in immigration enforcement.


"We're very concerned about racial profiling and alienating people," said Porfirio Garcia, president of the council. "This is not good for business in Lake County and simply not necessary."

Last month, the Lake County sheriff's office applied for six correctional officers to receive cross designation as federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

"We have partnered with ICE on many warrants initiatives and have seen wonderful results," Curran said. "Law enforcement is not a one-way street.

"It is beyond my comprehension that anyone would not want law enforcement to do all they possibly can to rid Lake County of the ********ers, drug dealers, *** offenders and violent thugs that truly jeopardize the safety of law-abiding citizens, legal or illegal."

When the sheriff's department decided to apply, it did so quietly, not wanting to deal with the same protesters who were in Waukegan when officials applied for 287 (g) status.


Lake County is the first Illinois county to seek the ICE designation.

Once certification is approved, law enforcement officials can start deportation proceedings against undocumented second-country nationals convicted of violent crimes, *** offenses and drug felonies.


"We are totally committed to law enforcement's commitment to make sure criminals are brought to justice," said Horacia Lopez, co-vice president of the council. "We are asking Sheriff Curran to withdraw this application because it is really nothing more than a fear tactic."

24 people arrested in ID theft

By: Lynn Larowe - Texarkana Gazette - Published: 12/14/2007

Federal authorities in the Eastern District of Texas have arrested 24 people in connection with alleged identity theft and immigration violations.

Twenty-one of those were employees of Pilgrim’s Pride in Northeast Texas.

“The consequences of identity theft go far beyond the loss of money or property and can be just as devastating to American consumers and businesses as any violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney John L. Ratcliffe in a press released issued Wednesday. “The prosecution of individuals engaged in identity theft will therefore remain one of our highest priorities.”

All but two of the 24 arrested were apprehended in Titus County.

Cecilia Perez-Lazaro and Jose Arellano-Vasquez were arrested in Camp County. All were taken before Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven in Texarkana, Texas, for initial appearances Tuesday and Wednesday.

Social Security cards and birth certificates necessary to legally get a job in the United States were being sold by Daniel Totosaus-Rodriguez and Marcos Garcia to illegal aliens, according to federal officials.

The documents reportedly came from a variety of sources, including som...

NEBRASKA, I-80 MINDEN

11 Illegal immigrants arrested; two recovering from hypothermia

Associated Press - December 13, 2007 9:45 PM ET

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - Eleven illegal immigrants have been arrested after a traffic stop, and two are recovering from hypothermia after evading police in the cold.

The stop happened Wednesday evening near Interstate 80 interchange at Minden.

The Nebraska State Patrol officer who pulled the van over determined the men were illegal immigrants, but the men fled before he could arrest them.

7 of the men were captured four hours after the original stop and two more men were located overnight.

The last two men were caught Thursday morning, 14 hours after the original traffic stop. They were taken to a Grand Island hospital.


Information from: Kearney Hub, http://www.kearneyhub.com/

[QUOTE]Originally posted by explora:


SOUTH CAROLINA

State plans to pass its own illegal immigration bill

By MICHAEL WELLES SHAPIRO
mshapiro@islandpacket.com
843-706-8142
Published Friday, December 14, 2007


Two state senators told Hilton Head Island residents Thursday that the South Carolina legislature is expected to pass a far-reaching illegal immigration bill by February.

Sens. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, and Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, fielded questions from more than 100 residents who turned out for the midmorning meeting and who mostly supported the idea of statewide action to halt illegal immigration.

Ritchie and Ceips spent about 20 minutes promoting the legislative effort before turning things over to the animated crowd, which voiced strong opinions and delivered spirited speeches on the issue of illegal immigration.

Richard Dolan said, "The reason we have this problem is employers are making billions," by using cheaper illegal immigrant labor.

"Let's call a spade a spade," he said. "This is all about money."


The bill Ritchie and Ceips touted, which they said would be further amended next year, aims to make South Carolina a less attractive place for illegal immigrants to work and live.

In its current form, the bill says that:

• For a business to claim tax deductions on its workers' pay, it would have to have copies of a driver's license or state ID card as well as a second form of picture ID.

• State and local agencies would have to verify the legal status of any person seeking public assistance.

• Businesses who fire legal workers for the specific purpose of hiring illegal immigrants could be held liable for damages under state law.

• State and local agencies could only have contracts with businesses that employ legal workers.


At the local level, Beaufort County's ordinance to discourage businesses from hiring illegal immigrants goes into effect on Jan. 1. Employers will be required to keep copies of I-9 forms, which have workers' names and Social Security numbers. Then, a county business licensing director would ensure that businesses have properly filled-out I-9 forms for all its employees or risk losing its license.

At Thursday's meeting, emotions ran high at times over the issue of hiring illegal immigrants.

Paul McGovern, who owns McTrim Inc., an island carpentry business, said a booming illegal immigrant labor force has made it hard for him to run his business in recent years.

McGovern said in 2001 he was making $600,000 and had nine employees, but by 2005 he only brought in $175,000 while employing one to two workers. He said competing with companies who pay illegal immigrants $10-an-hour forces employers to choose between providing benefits and health care and getting laborers.

"I believe everybody should have health care, but when it puts me at a tremendous disadvantage, it's hard."

Flor Chaverri said she thinksillegal immigrants are being blamed for problems that in many cases they had very little to do with.

"I have friends who are illegal, but you know what, the industry needed them to work.

"We are being treated as terrorists," said Chaverri. But "we didn't come to destroy. We came to build."[/QUOTE


Little by little one by one until it is done!

quote:

Originally posted by Z-RESISTANCE:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by explora:


SOUTH CAROLINA

State plans to pass its own illegal immigration bill

By MICHAEL WELLES SHAPIRO
mshapiro@islandpacket.com
843-706-8142
Published Friday, December 14, 2007


Two state senators told Hilton Head Island residents Thursday that the South Carolina legislature is expected to pass a far-reaching illegal immigration bill by February.

Sens. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, and Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, fielded questions from more than 100 residents who turned out for the midmorning meeting and who mostly supported the idea of statewide action to halt illegal immigration.

Ritchie and Ceips spent about 20 minutes promoting the legislative effort before turning things over to the animated crowd, which voiced strong opinions and delivered spirited speeches on the issue of illegal immigration.

Richard Dolan said, "The reason we have this problem is employers are making billions," by using cheaper illegal immigrant labor.

"Let's call a spade a spade," he said. "This is all about money."


The bill Ritchie and Ceips touted, which they said would be further amended next year, aims to make South Carolina a less attractive place for illegal immigrants to work and live.

In its current form, the bill says that:

• For a business to claim tax deductions on its workers' pay, it would have to have copies of a driver's license or state ID card as well as a second form of picture ID.

• State and local agencies would have to verify the legal status of any person seeking public assistance.

• Businesses who fire legal workers for the specific purpose of hiring illegal immigrants could be held liable for damages under state law.

• State and local agencies could only have contracts with businesses that employ legal workers.


At the local level, Beaufort County's ordinance to discourage businesses from hiring illegal immigrants goes into effect on Jan. 1. Employers will be required to keep copies of I-9 forms, which have workers' names and Social Security numbers. Then, a county business licensing director would ensure that businesses have properly filled-out I-9 forms for all its employees or risk losing its license.

At Thursday's meeting, emotions ran high at times over the issue of hiring illegal immigrants.

Paul McGovern, who owns McTrim Inc., an island carpentry business, said a booming illegal immigrant labor force has made it hard for him to run his business in recent years.

McGovern said in 2001 he was making $600,000 and had nine employees, but by 2005 he only brought in $175,000 while employing one to two workers. He said competing with companies who pay illegal immigrants $10-an-hour forces employers to choose between providing benefits and health care and getting laborers.

"I believe everybody should have health care, but when it puts me at a tremendous disadvantage, it's hard."

Flor Chaverri said she thinksillegal immigrants are being blamed for problems that in many cases they had very little to do with.

"I have friends who are illegal, but you know what, the industry needed them to work.

"We are being treated as terrorists," said Chaverri. But "we didn't come to destroy. We came to build."[/QUOTE


Little by little one by one until it is done!

State by state we will take our country back and they will be forced to get the h-ell out whether they want to or not.

ICE