The Post and Courier
COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- The state's long-awaited plan for reining in illegal immigration is expected to hit Gov. Mark Sanford's desk within the next 10 days.
House and Senate negotiators reached a tentative compromise Wednesday that would penalize employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, along with a lengthy list of provisions that carve out enforcement powers for the state.
"We've been working on this for almost two years," said Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, who served as chairman of the Legislature's conference committee. "It's a very complicated legal matter. It drives a lot of passion."
The bill must get a final vote in conference committee, likely to come next week, before it is sent back to the House and Senate chambers for final approval and then on to Sanford for his signature. The governor urged the Legislature this spring to get the bill to his desk as soon as possible.
Critics point to shortcomings in the bill.
Posted by tyne at April 3, 2008