Immigration law submitted

SUMMERVILLE -- Council turned over its proposed illegal immigration law to the town attorney Wednesday night, but it didn't stop debate on the contentious issue.

Councilman Walter Bailey drafted the ordinance, which outlaws the employment and housing of illegal immigrants.

Bailey was inspired by a similar law in Fremont, Neb., because he believes illegal immigrants are a drain on the local economy and take jobs away from legal workers.

Councilman Aaron Brown expressed opposition to the ordinance, questioning its necessity in addition to federal, state and county law covering the issue.

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"It's just a feel-good law," he said.

Brown thought the ordinance would be a drain on the town and hurt Summerville's image, claims that generated jeers and laughter from the audience.

"I wish we had killed it tonight, but that didn't happen," he said.

Bailey was applauded when he said waiting on federal action on immigration would take too long.

Summerville resident Jon Von Dolen came out against the ordinance during the public comment portion of the meeting. He opposed the possible loss of tax revenue from spending generated by illegal immigrants and said the town was usurping federal authority.

"I like Summerville, but the council ain't the president," he said.

The ordinance would exempt independent contractors and labor for domestic projects.

"It would be impossible to enforce that," Bailey said. "If you got someone coming by to cut your grass for $10 an hour, you couldn't reasonably be expected to check out his credentials."

The Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District, Ben Frasier, also was on hand for the meeting. He said he wants the town to take the law further.

"They should pattern it after the one they have in Arizona," he said.

Bailey introduced the ordinance Monday at the Finance Committee meeting. At that meeting he said he wanted to make a statement about the federal government's inaction on the issue of illegal immigration.

Dorchester County passed an ordinance targeting illegal immigrant labor in July 2007, although it has not pursued any cases related to it in more than a year. Bailey was unaware of the ordinance before he drafted his own but said Wednesday the town was simply adding on to it.

The proposed ordinance would penalize illegal immigrants who rent in the town and businesses that employ them.

Penalties for breaking the ordinance would be $100 per offense and the possible loss of a business license.

Neither Bailey nor Brown, the two most vocal councilmen on proposed ordinance, were sure of how the town attorney would interpret the law.

The law will be sent to Town Attorney D. Mark Stokes, who will review it for legality before it is reintroduced at next month's Finance Committee meeting.