Senator wants to cut off illegal immigrants

By Seanna Adcox

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA - The state Senate has approved a resolution asking Gov. Mark Sanford to stop illegal immigrants in South Carolina from getting social services.

"Giving people a constant supply of free meals and medicine is no way to discourage the growth of illegal aliens," said Sen. Dick Elliott, the measure's chief sponsor. "If it's illegal for these people to be here, what's legal about giving them goods and services intended for the down-and-out in our society?"

Elliott, D-North Myrtle Beach, wants Sanford to order the Department of Social Services to quit providing illegal immigrants free services.

The Senate passed the resolution Thursday by voice vote immediately after he introduced it. The one-chamber resolution only reflects the Senate's wishes. It carries no legal weight.

Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said the governor has not reviewed the resolution. However, he said, Sanford has supported the concept before.

"In Congress, Gov. Sanford had a record of opposing providing social services to illegal aliens," Sawyer said.

Elliott said the state has limited resources to help its needy citizens.

"We believe that, first, our home folks should be provided for," Elliot said. "We also believe if the aliens did not have access to free services many of us have to pay for, South Carolina would not be as much of a haven for illegal aliens."

Denying illegal immigrants help will only create more problems for society, said Luz Rodriguez-Arpan, president of Hispanic Connections Inc. in Columbia.

"Removing assistance doesn't mean they'll just get up and leave," she said. "We have a homeless problem as it is. I don't ever believe in a system that denies human beings assistance as a positive way of approaching a problem."

She said illegal immigrants fill South Carolina's poultry and agriculture jobs that its citizens don't want.

"Someone has to fill them for our economy and food production to continue," Rodriguez-Arpan said. "The issue is very complex. ... There's not a way to make everybody happy."

Sen. Dick Elliott | immigration measure's chief sponsor