BY JIM DAVENPORT, Associated Press–Tuesday, June 28, 2011
COLUMBIA — Gov. Nikki Haley signed changes into law on Monday that grant more power to police to check whether people are illegal immigrants, a move expected to face legal challenges after similar measures were met with lawsuits in other states.
The changes in law require police in South Carolina to call federal immigration officials if someone is suspected of being in the country illegally.
And it creates a new police force to enforce a law that would also make it a felony to make fake photographic identification for illegal immigrants. People convicted of that felony could face $25,000 fines and five years in prison.
The changes tighten what already were some of the nation’s toughest measures to curb illegal immigrants living and working here.
Haley, the Bamberg-born daughter of immigrants from India, emphasized her background as she spoke to supporters and opponents at the bill signing.
“As the daughter of immigrants, I want to make everyone aware that this bill has a tolerance to it. … This is not a bill that pushes one group away for another group. This is a bill that enforces laws,” the Republican governor said. (more…)
Filed under: Arizona-copycat laws, immigrant community, Law, Law Enforcement, S.B. 20 | Tagged: Alabama, American Civil Liberties Union, Arizona, Bobby Harrell, Georgia, Indiana, Kevin Gray, Larry Grooms, Nikki Haley, Utah, Victoria Middleton | Leave a Comment »
