Amended

May 07, 2024

H. 4947

Introduced by Reps. Pace, A. M. Morgan, May, Trantham, Oremus, Magnuson, Kilmartin, Cromer, S. Jones, O'Neal, White, T. A. Morgan, Harris, McCabe and Beach

S. Printed 05/07/24--H.

Read the first time January 25, 2024

________

A house RESOLUTION

to support the concerns raised by Governor Greg Abbott regarding the federal government's failure to enforce immigration laws and protect the states and condemn President Biden's alleged violations of his constitutional duty to faithfully execute immigration laws enacted by Congress.

Amend Title to Conform

Whereas, the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has expressed deep concern regarding the federal government's failure to enforce immigration laws and protect the states, leading to record levels of illegal immigration; and

Whereas, on May 31, 2023, Governor Henry McMaster deployed South Carolina National Guard troops to help secure the southern border of Texas; and

Whereas, these forces included The Honorable Travis Moore who served as the Battalion Commander for these troops during their deployment; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly authorized the expenditure, through the 2023-2024 General Appropriations Act, of over $1.4 million to support the efforts of the South Carolina National Guard; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly has previously enacted Act 280 of 2008, The South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act; and

Whereas, Act 280 of 2008 required the use of the E-Verify system for all business in South Carolina; and

Whereas, subsequent to the enactment of Act 280 of 2008, the South Carolina General Assembly has supported and funded the deployment and enforcement of the E-Verify system though the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly has enacted Act 109 of 2024 permanently establishing The Immigration Enforcement Unit of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; and

Whereas, the General Appropriations Act of 2024-2025 will authorize funds to support the mission of The Immigration Enforcement Unit of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; and

Whereas, President Biden has been accused of violating his constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting states, particularly immigration laws, as outlined in the letters delivered by Governor Abbott; and

Whereas, President Biden's actions include instructing agencies to ignore federal statutes, suing Texas for securing the border, and wasting taxpayer dollars to open Texas's border security infrastructure, contributing to the influx of illegal immigrants; and

Whereas, the lawless border policies under President Biden's administration have resulted in over six million illegal immigrants crossing the southern border in just three years, causing unprecedented harm to the people across the United States; and

Whereas, the Governor of Texas has invoked Article I, Section 10, Clause 3, declaring an invasion and utilizing Texas's constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution:

            (1) support the concerns raised by Governor Greg Abbott regarding the federal government's failure to enforce immigration laws and protect the states;

            (2) condemn President Biden's alleged violations of his constitutional duty to faithfully execute immigration laws enacted by Congress;

            (3) recognize the constitutional authority of states, including Texas, to defend and protect themselves in the face of a failure by the federal government to fulfill its duties under Article IV, Section 4;

            (4) express solidarity with the state of Texas in utilizing its constitutional authority to secure the Texas border, including the deployment of the Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and other Texas personnel; and

            (5) call upon the federal government to fulfill its duty under Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution to protect each state against invasion, including taking necessary actions to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, and to the President of the United States, Joe Biden.

----XX----