HANAHAN - In an interview with local Spanish-language TV station WJEA, state Rep. John Graham Altman on Friday proposed fining Mexico $1 million in U.S. aid for every illegal alien from the country found here.

"The Mexican government is disgraceful. America can not be the welfare system for Mexico," said Altman, R-Charleston.

WJEA owners Phyllis Bancroft and Jose Villegas sat down with Altman at his law office for more than an hour to discuss the issue of illegal immigrants, and his controversial bill that would allow South Carolina to lock them up. Bancroft and Villegas will translate his interview into Spanish for the station's viewers.

Altman said the issue is as much about the people who employ illegal aliens as the immigrants themselves. "Until we put three or four CEOs in jail, they won't think we're serious," Altman said.

He said illegal aliens are exploited because they receive low wages or no pay at all, no health insurance and no retirement. "The folks who want to help illegal aliens ought to support this bill," he said.

Bancroft, Villegas and Altman had a congenial discussion, although they did not always agree. Bancroft said there are gray areas such as an illegal from Mexico who sneaks across the border to provide a better life for his family.

Altman said the issue is black and white. Either someone is here legally or he is not. He said his bill is necessary because the federal government is not doing its job securing U.S. borders.

Before the interview, Bancroft said she was not out to lambaste Altman or set a trap for him. "I'm not looking for a combat situation," she said.

Bancroft interviewed Altman so he could explain his bill to Lowcountry Spanish-speaking people who may be affected by it. She said the tri-county area has at least 50,000 Hispanic people; about 26,000 of them are Mexican.

"I serve a community that could be drastically affected. I don't agree with this man's ideas, but it's my job to present them," she said.

She thought Altman would turn down her request for an interview. Initially, he wasn't keen on the idea. "I didn't want to do it, but it's hard to say no," he said.

"I'm happy to do that, but the message has got to be clear. If you want to come to this country legally, we want you. But if you're trying get in here illegally, you're just another criminal," he said.

Altman's bill creates a felony trespass law, punishable by up to five years in prison, that authorizes the state to seize vehicles, property and assets of illegal immigrants.

"I'm trying to reach out. It would be nice if we could get cooperation from the Hispanic community. Those who come here legally don't need to be cut in line by those who are here illegally," he said.

The Altman interview will appear next week on the WJEA half-hour news show "Treinta Minutos." The show airs at 7 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on broadcast channel 12 and Knology cable channel 98. Comcast cable channel 78 carries the program Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Coverage of Altman's bill in The Post and Courier drew the attention of the Fox News show "Hannity and Colmes," which interviewed Altman last month.

Reach Prentiss Findlay at 745-5854 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com.