State considers Georgia's immigration law

COLUMBIA - Georgia's new immigration law might become the basis for a similar measure being considered in South Carolina.

A committee of state senators met Tuesday to decide how to discourage undocumented workers, sometimes known as illegal immigrants, from coming here.

The Georgia Legislature passed a bill last spring to make it tougher for employers to hire undocumented workers and for illegal immigrants to get more state-funded benefits, and elements of that plan are making their way into South Carolina legislation.

"I can assure you, this is one of the highest priorities for not only the Judiciary Committee next January, but also for the General Assembly," said Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, who leads the illegal immigration committee.

The Senate considered an expansive immigration reform bill at the end of last session.

But Mr. Ritchie said there wasn't enough time for the full Senate to adequately study the issue.

Among the provisions of that bill:

- Requiring every public employer to participate in the federal work authorization program to verify that all employees are legal workers

- Prohibiting the state from contracting with any company unless the contractors and subcontractors also agree to participate in the authorization program

- Authorizing the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division chief to work with the U.S. Departments of Justice or Homeland Security to enforce federal immigration and custom laws, detentions and removals and investigations in South Carolina

- Special training of law enforcement officers, if federal funding is available.

Mr. Ritchie said senators are considering new ideas this summer, but the committee's final recommendation is likely to have many of those elements.

Senators heard from several groups about the cost and perils of illegal immigrants.

America is losing its identity, said Roan Garcia-Quintana, from Americans Have Had Enough.

"It troubles me when I get an instruction guide and it's in two languages," said Mr. Garcia-Quintana, who said he was born in Havana, reared in Savannah, Ga., and has spent his adult life in South Carolina.

Jack Martin, from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), estimated that illegal immigration cost South Carolina $185 million in 2005, including the $144 million he says South Carolina spent educating illegal immigrants.

Mr. Ritchie said immigration-rights groups are welcome to talk to the committee.

Reporter Vicky Eckenrode contributed to this article.