COLUMBIA, SC – Pointing to South Carolina’s record high unemployment rate and looming budget crisis, Gresham Barrett, Republican candidate for Governor, today called for a crackdown on illegal immigration. Barrett, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Immigration Caucus, will propose expanding an Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiative that provides local law enforcement with the training and authority to tackle illegal immigration to all of the state’s forty-six counties.
“America is a beacon of hope in the world and ours is a nation of immigrants,” said Barrett. “But, there is a right way and a wrong way to come to this country. I have zero tolerance for people who sneak across our borders, break our laws and then take the jobs South Carolina’s hard-working citizens desperately need to make ends meet. After fighting amnesty for nearly eight years in Congress, I believe now more than ever that the answers aren’t in Washington. If the Democrats in charge in Washington refuse to put a stop to illegal immigration, then it’s up to us here in South Carolina.”
Barrett continued, “As Governor, I will propose a statewide expansion of ICE’s 287(g) program that provides local law enforcement with the tools, training and authority they need to enforce federal immigration law. I want to empower our local law enforcers with the tools necessary to help take a bite out of illegal immigration, and under the 287(g) program we can do that at little or no cost to our local agencies.”
According to the PEW Center for Research between 60,000 and 85,000 illegal immigrants currently call South Carolina home. As of 2008 illegal immigrants took about 50,000 jobs in the state.
Barrett’s proposal garnered praise from local legislative leaders.
“I am fed up with the federal government and its failure to address this critical issue,” said State Representative Mike Pitts (R-Laurens). “Illegal immigration affects every aspect of our lives – from our hospitals to our schools to our jobs. Gresham is right. If we are going to solve this problem, then we are going to have to do it at the local level, and his plan to expand 287(g) to every county in our state is the answer we’ve been looking for. I am proud to stand with him in this fight to crackdown on illegal immigration, to protect our families and their way of life.”
State Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) added, “For me, enforcing immigration laws is about protecting jobs for tax-paying South Carolinians. With double digit unemployment rates, we have to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that every available job is filled by a South Carolinian. Implementing 287g statewide is a great step.”
Currently only three counties in South Carolina – York, Beaufort and Charleston – are participants in 287(g).
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we need to do everything we can to stop this invasion.. the feds, (dem n repub)do not represent us anymore. schools,hospitals, prisons, disease and jobs.. enough is enough….wake up america-mexico is taking us over without firing a shot. south carolina—do we want to become like california?
we now have a law in SC about illegal immigration and I see very little enforcement of it, if I could get a committment from barrett to make sure this law is enforced I would vote for him and encourage others to do the same
We need more politicians such State Rep. Randy Terrill, a Republican member of the Oklahoma House of Representative or Steve Poizner, as a potential Governor of California, Gresham Barrett, Republican candidate for Governor of South Carolina are promising to fight back against supporting illegal alien families. Dump out of office every politician, Governor, Mayor, Judge or other elected official, beginning with majority leader Sen.Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Speaker,Nancy Pelosi who favors the illegal immigration occupation of this nation
Whatever the outcome of the discussions between Sen. Chuck Schumer, Lindsey Graham of any other partisanship play on the illegal immigration explosion. No matter if our politicians kill E-Verify, 287 (g) federal agreement with local police, slowing down on ICE raids or anything. Whatever law they try to enact, the American people will not tolerate any kind of AMNESTY. Disguise it as they may, no Comprehensive Immigration Reform will ever pass. Illegal aliens will remain “Illegal” and stay that way, as patriotic citizens, sovereignty lovers will–NEVER–allow this abomination to pass. A citizen workers ID or biometric identity card may gain some recognition, but only for legal immigrants. THOSE WHO STOLE ACROSS THE BORDER WILL–NEVER, EVER–BE ACCEPTED BY AMERICANS.
We will take the late Senator Ted Kennedy at his word, when he stated in 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli bill: “This amnesty will give citizenship to only 1.1 to 1.3 million illegal aliens. We will secure the borders henceforth. We will never again bring forward another amnesty bill like this.” End of Quote. SO BE IT! We take this venerated, liberal politician as his word. NEVER ANOTHER AMNESTY. We are now dealing with the monstrous backlash of astronomic costs, that have amplified in support for illegal aliens who have cheated the entitlement system. Amendments to the 1986 Immigration Control and Reform Act may be possible, but if you want to settle in America, you follow the Rule of Law.and enter America through the front gates. READ THE LATEST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION NEWS AT NUMBERSUSA, CAPITOL THE CORRUPTION AT JUDICIAL WATCH. INFORM EVERY STATE POLITICIAN IN YOUR CONSTITUENCY YOUR ANGRY. JOIN MILLIONS AND CALL THE WASHINGTON SWITCHBOARD AT 202-224-3121. INSURE THAT YOUR POLITICIANS- AIDE LOG IN YOUR FRUSTRATED COMPLAINTS AND DON’T TAKE–NO–FOR AN ANSWER!