As South Carolina gears up for its legislative session next week, one notable piece of legislation is gaining traction. House Bill 4764, which aims to strengthen collaborations between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement, boasts a strong bipartisan backing with over 40 co-sponsors, many from the Upstate region.
The proposed bill would permit any agency operating a correctional facility to enter into a 287 agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. This agreement enables U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to work alongside local law enforcement, allowing them to perform specific immigration enforcement functions, particularly focusing on identifying removable noncitizens who are already under arrest for other offenses.
In an effort to further bolster the effectiveness of this initiative, the bill includes provisions for training local officers. Last year, the General Assembly made strides with alterations to the state’s law enforcement and public safety statutes, which included the launch of an immigration enforcement training program for local officers, managed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The new legislation aims to extend these training opportunities, granting agencies that enter into an agreement with Homeland Security the authority to enforce immigration laws, supported by the resources and practices outlined in the training program.
Additionally, the bill provides a legal shield for law enforcement acting in good faith while executing immigration-related duties or sharing immigration status information, protecting them from liability in such cases.
Spearheaded by Spartanburg Representative Travis Moore, House Bill 4764 has also seen support from numerous lawmakers including Representative Don Chapman of Anderson County. Chapman emphasized the necessity of the bill, stating that it offers federal agencies an essential tool to enhance their capabilities in addressing immigration-related challenges, particularly given the complexities arising from increased crossings at the border.
Currently, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee and must secure approval there before it can be presented to the entire House for a vote. As the legislative session unfolds, updates and developments surrounding this bill will be closely monitored, reflecting ongoing efforts in South Carolina to navigate immigration enforcement effectively.