Snow for Senate

America is a land of freedom and opportunity – a place where anyone would want to live and can thrive. Through our industry and gumption we have created a special place here in North Carolina and it is understandable why people from all over the world are flocking here to live and work. It only fits our tradition and heritage that immigrants want to come here. Immigrants bring new ideas, diversity, and enrich our local communities through their labor and contributions to our civic life. As North Carolinians and Americans we benefit from legal immigration that takes place everyday in America.

The great riches that are brought to us by immigrants who come here illegally, however, are lost by their immediate violation of the law. The Federal Government has failed us in protecting the borders and making the immigration system work. While the Federal Government is failing to protect us it is also forcing state and local governments to assume its role for the enforcement of immigration laws. Our local governments cannot afford to enforce these laws and we need the help of the federal government to provide monetary support.

This year Senator Snow voted for the following measures to help North Carolina deal with the issue of illegal immigration:

Provide greater enforcement of immigration laws. As a response to the federal government’s failure to enforce immigration laws, the Senate approved allowing state and local law enforcement agencies to give their officers the authority to investigate, arrest and detain illegal immigrants. (SB 1523)

Strengthen driver’s license security measures. The Senate voted to eliminate the use of the Individual Taxpayer ID Number (ITIN) as a valid ID document for driver’s license applicants. The Internal Revenue Service, which issues the ITIN to taxpayers but does not verify their lawful presence in the United States, has cautioned states against accepting this federal document as proof of identity for driver’s licenses. (SB 602)

Prohibit state government from hiring illegal immigrants. State agencies will be required to check a federal database to verify that newly hired employees are authorized to work in the United States (SB 1523). In addition, the budget provides funds to hire legal staff in the Office of State Personnel to make sure North Carolina is in compliance with federal laws regarding the employment of foreign nationals. (SB 1741)

Penalties for human trafficking (HB 1896): Tough criminal penalties for human trafficking, which frequently involves the exploitation of agricultural workers, as well as individuals working as domestic servants, or trafficking women and children for sexual exploitation.

Senator Snow also approved requiring local prison officers and jail administrators to verify the citizenship of felony and DWI prisoners, but this proposal (HB 1048) did not become law this session.

To protect Western North Carolina against illegal aliens Senator Snow believes in a three step solution that includes: Securing the Border, Identifying all illegal aliens, and requiring them to return home - and only allow them to come back if they do so legally. Senator Snow will continue to promote and vote for common sense strategies that will protect the jobs and families of those of us in Western North Carolina.