Illegal immigration bill tops list: Enforcement standards await lawmakers

Senate leadership said Thursday a bill designed to authorize state and local law enforcement to report illegal immigrants to federal authorities is first up when lawmakers return to the Statehouse next week.

The legislation would require officers to check immigration status during a traffic stop or an arrest if they suspect the person is in the country illegally. The identity and address of any illegal immigrant identified would be reported to federal agents for action.

Meanwhile, Gov. Nikki Haley said she is expecting a call today from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to resolve an issue that has blocked the state from enforcing the 2008 anti-illegal immigration law in recent weeks. Haley said in late May that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security told the state it could not use E-Verify documentation to check whether a company's workers were legal.