Who’s Stopping Immigration Enforcement in South Carolina?
Spoiler: It’s not the Democrats.
As illegal immigration continues to surge across the southern border, South Carolina families are feeling the consequences—from rising crime to overwhelmed public services. And yet, not a single immigration enforcement bill was passed this year in the South Carolina House.
That’s not because we didn’t try.
The South Carolina Freedom Caucus filed multiple bills this session to give law enforcement the tools they need, to protect our schools, and to end taxpayer-funded incentives for illegal immigration. But every one of these bills was either killed quietly in committee or deliberately slow-walked to death by House Leadership.
Here’s what they refused to act on:
🔒 H. 3030 – 287(g) Enforcement Requirement
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Burns
This bill would require every local law enforcement agency in South Carolina to formally partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the 287(g) program. This agreement allows local officers to act as immigration agents—identifying, detaining, and turning over illegal aliens to the federal government.
Why it matters: Only a handful of counties currently participate. Most don’t. That’s unacceptable.
🛑 H. 3299 – Citizenship Verification Act
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Beach
Would require law enforcement to check the immigration status of every person arrested using the federal SAVE system and record that information in their criminal file. It also requires the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to release annual public reports on how many illegal aliens are arrested and convicted.
Why it matters: South Carolinians deserve to know who is committing crimes in their communities—and whether they should have been in the country at all.
⚖️ H. 4282 – Felony for Illegal Alien Criminals
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Jordan Pace
Would make it a felony for someone who is unlawfully present in the U.S. to be arrested under South Carolina’s criminal code. Courts could sentence them to up to five years or, in some cases, allow for expedited deportation.
Why it matters: The federal government may refuse to act—but we don’t have to. Criminal illegal aliens should not be shielded by inaction.
🎓 H. 3866 – Government ID for Public School Enrollment
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Jordan Pace
Would require any adult enrolling a child in a public school to show a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID—such as a SC driver's license, military ID, or passport—before proving residency.
Why it matters: Our schools are under strain. Enforcing basic documentation standards helps ensure resources go to students who are legally entitled to receive them.
🕒 H. 4548 – Keep Immigration Bills Alive
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Jordan Pace
A House resolution that did not pass but was introduced just before the legislative session ended. It would’ve ensured immigration bills could still be debated and voted on between the end of session (May 8th) and when we are scheduled to return in January, rather than being declared dead under the procedural “sine die” rules.
Why it matters: Leadership has no more excuses. We can act this coming January—if they allow it.
🚨 So why hasn’t anything been done?
The reality is simple: The South Carolina House is run by politicians who talk like conservatives at home—but govern like moderates in Columbia.
These bills didn’t fail because of Democrats.
They failed because Republican leadership refused to move them.
They refuse to cross powerful special interests. They promote Democrats to key positions. And they hope you won’t notice that the same House that rushed to pass corporate handouts and pork-filled budgets somehow couldn’t make time to enforce immigration law.
📣 Time to Raise Your Voice
We will return to session in January 2026. Every one of these bills can be acted on. But House Leadership will only move if they hear from you—loudly and persistently.
📞 Call your State Representative.
📨 Email their office.
📢 Show up at their town halls.
Tell them: We want action on immigration enforcement. Not later. Not someday. Immediately when you return in January.
Enough is enough. South Carolina shouldn’t have to wait on Washington. We can enforce the law. We can protect our communities. We can end incentives for illegal immigration in South Carolina.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the majority of the "GOP" in Columbia care very little, if at all, for their voting Republican constituents. Thank the Lord that there are a handful of members of the SC Freedom Caucus that want to serve their communities. By failing to act on immigration legislation the implication by the RINOs is very clear-- we do not care if illegals are being serviced by taxpayer dollars, do not care if illegals take jobs away from citizens, do care if illegals commit crimes against citizens (much of which is violent), do not care if the children suffer because of resources taken from them and given to illegals.
I have reached the point where I will only vote for a "Republican" candidate if that candidate is, or will be, a member of the Freedom Caucus. The voters are becoming increasingly more alert and educated and will not put up with the lack of representation by members of the "Uni-party".
Keep up the good fight. Know that we stand beside you and behind you.
I moved here 2 1/2 years ago, joined my local GOP group and left because I “thought “ this was a red state and boy was I wrong. I moved from a much further southern state and what I’ve seen here is what you used to see in the movies with the good ole boys. Who keeps voting these fools in? You people better wake up.