South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says she wants state officials to check up on businesses to make sure they are complying with only hiring legal immigrants and recently sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to ensure they comply. Haley told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren Wednesday she is disappointed she had not received a reply.
“I sent a letter and went public Friday and said we have immigration laws for a reason — South Carolina takes illegal immigration seriously let us enforce our laws,” Haley said. “We use this e-verify system, and I need the federal government to get out of the way. They have gotten in the way when it comes to healthcare, unions, and which companies can create jobs in South Carolina. Now they are getting in the way with the fact that I’m trying to govern a state, enforce illegal immigration, and they are keeping me from doing it. It has to stop and I'm calling them out on it.”
Haley noted the Obama administration has been of little help.
“President [Barack] Obama n s saying he’s taking illegal immigration seriously — but it’s his administration that is stopping us from enforcing it,” she said. “And saying one thing and doing another is the problem we’ve had with this administration in the beginning.
“I’m trying to govern a state and manage my state and lead it in a positive direction. He continues to stop it every step of the way when it comes to good policy,” she said. “We are not going to be quiet about it. This is something we take seriously in South Carolina. I’m going to be loud about it. I need to enforce legal immigrants in South Carolina and make sure our businesses are handling that accordingly. They owe South Carolina a response as to why they are keeping us from doing that.”
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