If they are here illegally, send them packing. Appears they make darn good wages tho, "comes in up to 4 times a week spedning $100 a time". Guess us legals would like to be able to do that!
COLUMBIA --- At one Mexican restaurant in Bluffton, families used to come in four times a week, spending sometimes $100 on a meal. Today, those families might come once a week and order just a bite.
"Now it's two or three tacos and they leave," said Angelica, who manages the restaurant and requested that her last name and establishment not be printed.
With illegal-immigration legislation expected to become law soon, those who are here illegally are staying home or cutting back on their expenditures, she said.
"Right now they're scared to spend money, because they are afraid they will have no job," said Angelica, who said 80 percent of her customers are Hispanic. "They're talking a short future, two to three months, if this thing becomes a law."
She said the Hispanic community is worried, and businesses such as hers are already feeling the effects of fewer customers.
"When they come here, do I say, 'Do you have papers or no?' " Angelica said. "What can I say?"
Under the bill -- now in the hands of Gov. Mark Sanford, who has supported it -- employers would be required to check new employees' legal status using either a federal database called E-Verify, a South Carolina driver's license or ID or that of a state with similar eligibility standards.
Those checks would only be for new hires, but existing employees would still be targeted. If the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation has evidence that a worker is illegal and the employer knows it, the business could lose its operating license.
After the House passed the measure Thursday, Rep. James Harrison, R-Columbia, one of the leaders of the effort, acknowledged it could be difficult to enforce. He said the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation may request additional funding.
Reach Sarita Chourey at (803) 727-4257 or sarita.chourey@morris.com.
Comments
If they are here illegally, send them packing. Appears they make darn good wages tho, "comes in up to 4 times a week spedning $100 a time". Guess us legals would like to be able to do that!
I agree nightraider! Seems they are making very good wages and, in many cases, tax free wages. Ah, the joys of tax free living!
First, let us remember the "illegal" part of being an illegal immigrant. Most Americans don't seem to have problems with legal immigration, however it only seems fair to question the value of any additions to our country who already show no regard for it's laws upon arrival.
Second, it seems far too easily forgotten that one must be an U.S. citizen in order to warrant the rights afforded to a citizen. That should be the end of discussion.
Third, legal immigrants working alongside native born citizens have made this country what it is. We have thrived on the contributions of immigrants and will usually need them, though to varying degrees, throughout most sectors of our economy. The problem is that we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to those who enter illegally, ignore our laws and seek to subvert our culture and national values. We welcome those who follow the rules, learn the English language, and respect our sovereignty. As illegal immigrants, it is not only offensive but also ridiculous to ask for rights, which they have not earned nor are entitled to.
Let's secure our borders by building the fence so we have an effective and controlled immigration system at the same time as we enforce our currently existing immigration laws. During this interval we encourage illegals to depart (attrition through enforcement). Once our borders are secured and we have a grip on a functional system of immigration, we move against those illegals that have refused to leave. We should never ever grant amnesty.
We tried 'comprehensive immigration reform' in 1986. We gave amnesty to 3 million illegal aliens in exchange for the government promising to secure the borders, conduct workplace enforcement and enforce immigration law. It didn't work because the government lied and did nothing other than process the amnesty paperwork. Due to that folly, we now have 20 Million or more illegal aliens here demanding amnesty. Don't you think it is far beyond time that we engage in Comprehensive Immigration ENFORCEMENT rather than Comprehensive Immigration Reform?
right-on truk!
It's your tax money buying those $100 meals.
Well, they must be making pretty good money to pay $100 several times a week for meals. That's about what our health insurance costs us as self employeds at 60+. I have no sympathy for them. None, zilch, nada.
Wow, Augusta natives, you are in the dark again. I am an Augusta native living out west now in Tucson Az. "Illegal Border Crossing Capitol of the US"I want you to know that the wall wont help. We have just got to make it very difficult to be here without legal papers. You would not believe the extent the illegals go to to get here.After visiting Mexico ,you would understand why they are willing to dye crosssing the dessert in 100+ degrees heat to get a minimum wage job. Our problem lies within our own system . When we agree to make "middle class" the lowest class in America by offering competitve wages at that level (Along with benefits)then we can have and keep Americans with jobs and weed out illegal immigrants coming and bartering for minimum wage jobs and being the benefit of someone else making profit from paying whoever they can less to get ahead.
I guess some need to learn to cut grass, lay block, install roofing, paint houses, do carpenter work because if they go there will be a terrible labor shortage. At least 30 percent ot the people doing these jobs now are pot smoking, liquor drinking and drug consumers. If you don't believe me just ask any one who has to have labor in these fields. It may open your eyes to why the immagrant is needed. It should be easier to get a work permit than it is now which is very very hard.
Saxby Chambliss--pro immigration, big spending, big government LIBERAL..vote for your grandchilderen.
Wow 100 dollars a day four days a week for a meal....that is good money...being illegal pays very well it seems....
"She said the Hispanic community is worried, and businesses such as hers are already feeling the effects of fewer customers."
There are two points to be derived from this statement:
1. If you are here illegally, of any race-creed-or nationality, you should be worried.
2. Businesses that depend on illegal aliens will inevitably have their economics disrupted when immigration enforcement occurs. If your business model is based on illegal aliens...to damn bad.
Good point zeezil,"The American Dream" is to Support the "American Economy". I just hope that we follow threw on the objective of the Illegal Immigrant Bill. If you want to stay in business then you will have to support people who are here legally . It will boost the American spirit and force the fact of what is the basis of my earlier statement.Paying a viable wage to people who work hard for it and have earned a right to be here.
give um a bag of ga peanuts, from jimmy c and point them to the border!
That would be "through," the second time it was confused with "threw" today by someone posting.
It's late at night and my old eyes are not functioning very well. It seems as if this article is mixing apples and oranges. The first 5 paragraphs talk about a loss of CUSTOMERS. These customers either have the money to come to eat, or they stay home. I see no direct correlation between their decision to eat and the bill. The second 5 paragraphs talk about EMPLOYEES. Under the bill employers would be required to check new employees' legal status, and if they didn't have the appropriate paperwork they couldn't be hired. That's the law. It makes a good story, but IMHO half of it is irrelevant BS.
If there is going to be a lot of pain and suffering for American business owners and for American consumers if the illegals go home, then give us a taste of it. Give us the information on what the illegals are costing us in the form of schools, health care, social services including housing, etc. and the legal system. Let us decide if we favor work visas versus higher prices for tomatoes. But stop the porous boundary policy.
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