April 24, 2013. The State. Bruce Smith, Associated Press. CHARLESTON, SC. Representatives of several statewide groups said Wednesday now is the time for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform and they praised U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham for his role in getting a bill to the Senate.
Last week a bipartisan group of eight senators, including Graham, the South Carolina Republican, introduced comprehensive legislation that addresses immigration issues. Among its components is a pathway to citizenship over 13 years for people in the national illegally.
"This is a landmark piece of legislation that could do a great deal to advance the civil liberties of 11 million people in the United States who are currently living in the shadows," Victoria Middleton, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, told reporters at a news conference.
"We have agriculture. We have a hospitality industry. We have a port and a growing tech corridor. All aspects of our community will benefit from passage of this reform bill," she added,
"We applaud the people who are working on this and we think the time is now and we can make history this year," added Ken Riley, the president of the South Carolina AFL-CIO.
Chris Inglese, an attorney who is the president of the South Carolina Progressive Network, called it "an idea whose time has come. We recognize Republicans want this bill because they can't survive in the future without increasing loyalty from the Latino community. We recognize Democrats want this bill because it is the right thing to do."
Michael Harrison, an immigration attorney, said Congress has not acted on immigration for a number of years.
"The legal community wants a system that is fair and just both for the government and those who want to immigrate here legally and work and stay with their families," he said.
Middleton said Graham is "showing leadership and the pragmatic realization that there are 11 million aspiring Americans."
"He's a politician who is willing to acknowledge that this is a nation of immigrants," Inglese added.
Middleton said the bill is 840 pages long and the groups are still reviewing it. But those on hand for the news conference said they think the 13-year pathway to citizenship for those in the nation illegally is too long.
Middleton said she hoped some aspects can be changed as the measure moves through Congress.
"It's about time we had a new change, a new tomorrow for the undocumented," said Diana Salazar, the president of the Latino Association of Charleston.
"I think it's just a perfect storm right now to make sure something happens" on immigration reform, added Dot Scott, the president of the local chapter of the NAACP.