Republicans should speak out on immigration reform

In case you haven't noticed, the legislature has been debating an immigration reform bill for some time now. The bill wouldhopefully, (among other things),crack down onemployers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. Seems like it should be pretty simple, right? Guess again.

The sticking pointis over what method of identification the state should mandate that employers use to verify whether or note their employees are here legally. Those who want stricter enforcement want to require either a valid SC driver's licnese or to have the names and social security numbers submitted to the federal government's new E-Verify database. Others (such as the Chamber of Commerce) want to be allowed to continue to use the currentmethod, (submitting a federal I-9 form).

I think it's safe to saythat weneed a law that sets a higher standard when it comes to verifying whether or not an employee is in this country legally, because it's obvious the current method doesn't work.

And given the burdens placed on our society and our taxpayers by illegal immigrationi, I don't think it's too much to askthatthose who knowingly hire illegal aliens be fined and have their business licenses put at risk.

I would encourage all Republican activistsacross our state to contact their members of the legislature as soon as possible and tell them you want real, meaningful immigration reform.