THEIR VIEWS ...

Just wait 'til they try to enforce it

South Carolina now has its own brand of immigration reform, and if you think getting a bill signed into law was complicated and difficult, watch what happens when state and local officials start trying to enforce it. ...

It goes without saying that enforcement is the key. That's been the problem with federal immigration law. But state agencies will have a little time to get ready. Private employers of 100 or more people have until July 1, 2009, to meet the new law's requirements. Employers of fewer than 100 people have until July 1, 2010. Government contractors face earlier deadlines. ...

Time will tell whether South Carolina's immigration reform efforts will have the desired effect of discouraging illegal immigrants from coming to South Carolina or staying here and whether employers will toe the line on employment practices. And time will tell whether South Carolina's law can withstand any legal challenges.

On the day Gov. Mark Sanford signed the bill into law, a federal judge in Oklahoma blocked enforcement of the employer-related provisions of that state's law. The judge ruled that those sections requiring employers to use the federal verification program likely were unconstitutional because they interfere with federal rules regarding the hiring of unauthorized workers.

The ruling shows again that we ultimately need a federal solution.

The (Hilton Head) Island Packet

Some efforts deserve mentioning

The legislative session is over, and while all of the results were not to our liking, some efforts deserve mention, despite a disappointing outcome.

To those lawmakers who championed an increase in the cigarette tax, especially those who wanted the proceeds to benefit health care, we applaud you. ...

More congratulations are in order, both for the legislature and Gov. Mark Sanford, who finally agreed on something: DUI laws needed to be stronger. We were also pleased that some form of a measure to deal with illegal immigration came into being, although we still believe this is an issue that must be handled at the national level. ...

And despite his displeasure with the budget, which he has said is illegal ..., we can't close without a serious appreciation of the way Sanford handled one law that he allowed to pass into law without his signature.

... In this case, it was the creation of an ''I Believe'' tag.

In a letter to the Senate's leaders, he wrote: ''While I do, in fact, 'believe,' it is my personal view that the largest proclamation of one's faith ought to be in how one lives one's life. The fruit of the spirit (is) peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and more. If God is working in one's life, these things will say what no license plate will ever say.''

Well said, governor. Well said.

Anderson Independent-Mail