Lee Bright on Immigration

Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry

Bright: Strongly Agree

Secure the border first; but no amnesty

Charge 1% foreign wire fee;& police check immigration status

• It is a felony for a person who has remained in the US in violation of law to conceal themselves from detection or to conspire to conceal that person from state or federal authorities.
• A law enforcement officer, when stopping a person for some other criminal offense, must determine the immigration status of that person if the officer suspects that the person is illegally in the US.
• If a prisoner who is an alien unlawfully present in the US completes the prisoner's sentence of incarceration, the keeper of the jail shall notify the US Department of Homeland Security [or ICE agency] and shall securely transport the prisoner to a federal facility [for deportation].
• Implement a fee on wire transfers to foreign countries: a 1% fee with a minimum of $5.

Status:Bill passed Senate, 22-14-0; passed House 65-39-20; signed by Governor, June 27, 2011. (Sen. Lee Bright sponsored the bill and voted YEA).

Make permanent the E-Verify program

• Whereas, E-Verify is currently a voluntary Internet-based pilot program used to assist employers in verifying the work authorization of new hires
• Whereas, as of 2009, over 100,000 employers have registered with E-Verify; and
• Whereas, many states, including South Carolina, have relied to their detriment on the continued availability of E-Verify in establishing state level programs to combat illegal immigration.
• Be it resolved: That the members of the General Assembly request that the United States Congress take immediate action to make the E-Verify Program permanent and provide the funding and resources necessary to ensure its continued effectiveness.