GOVERNOR: “FEAR” SHOULD NOT ERODE AMERICA’S OBLIGATION TO IMMIGRANTS
|| By FITSNEWS || S.C. governor Nikki Haley supports a controversial government-funded refugee “resettlement program” in Spartanburg, S.C. – one that’s likely to stick taxpayers there with huge long-term bills. The program – which we exposed in this post – is funded by the U.S. State Department. Once the refugees arrive in the Palmetto State, though, it is up to state and local governments to provide them with a wide range of services.
That’s apparently not a problem for Haley, though. After weeks of ignoring the issue – and dodging repeated calls from state lawmakers – the governor finally weighed in this week.
Her view? Accept the refugees … and screw the taxpayers.
“These people are in danger of losing their lives in their home countries for things such as aiding U.S. troops as translators or guides, membership of a religious minority, or regional war or genocide,” Haley wrote in a letter to lawmakers.
Really? And that imposes an affirmative obligation on South Carolina taxpayers to subsidize their existence? At a time when our own citizens are struggling to keep their own heads above water?
Ridiculous … in fact it’s every bit as ridiculous as our military personnel being sent to a lot of these countries in the first place.
Nonetheless, Haley is fine with the program … which is being administered in the Palmetto State by her scandal scarred Department of Social Services (SCDSS).
“We cannot allow fear to erode America’s place in the world as accepting of immigrants who chose to come legally and contribute as citizens,” she wrote.
The governor’s response differs dramatically from that of U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy – who demanded a halt to the resettlement while local taxpayers were provided with answers to specific questions about the obligations it would impose.
Gowdy’s stance drew praise from limited government activists at the national and state level.
“Trey Gowdy gets tremendous credit for rebuking the open borders push in Spartanburg,” Bill Wilson of the group Americans for Limited Government wrote in a letter to the editor of Premium News Network.
Wilson knows previous resettlement campaigns couched as “evangelical” efforts have in reality been front groups for liberal campaigns like the National Immigration Forum – a group that’s received funding from organizations affiliated with billionaire liberal financier George Soros.
In fact one of the groups receiving funding from Soros – the so-called “Evangelical Immigration Table” – has a South Carolina presence.
World Relief – the group orchestrating this resettlement – received $38.8 million of its $56.8 million budget from government grants, according to 2012 data. That’s nearly seventy percent of its budget.
We explicitly reject the use of federal tax dollars – routed through liberal foundations – to impose long-term obligations on South Carolina taxpayers.
If faith-based organizations wish to host legal immigrants on their own dime, that’s great – but their activities cannot be subsidized by government revenue.
“Faith-based compassion is a wonderful thing, but just as one’s religious beliefs shouldn’t be imposed on another without consent … neither should taxpayer obligations based on those beliefs,” we wrote.
NIKKI HALEY LETTER (.pdf)
UPDATE: Haley blasted for her position …
80 comments
“World Relief – the group orchestrating this resettlement – received $38.8 million of its $56.8 million budget from government grants, according to 2012 data.”
The working poor here subsidizing bringing over their competition, courtesy of Federal & State governments….nice.
According to World Relief, SC isn’t listed on their page?
http://worldrelief.org/us-offices
It’s an age-old policy of the United States to resettle refugees from the wars it creates to areas of the United States. We did it in Korea, we did it with Vietnam, and now we’re doing it with Iraq and the Middle East. It’s only fair, in my mind, that areas that most supported the war in Iraq, shoulder the aftermath burden. I bet 88% of the Upstate was all in for Iraq.
I actually looked that up this morning trying to make sense of it all.
“The U.S. Congress enacted the first refugee legislation in 1948 following the admission of more than 250,000 displaced Europeans. This legislation provided for the admission of an additional 400,000 displaced Europeans. Later laws provided for admission of persons fleeing Communist regimes, largely from Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia, Korea and China, and in the 1960s Cubans fleeing Fidel Castro arrived en masse. Most of these waves of refugees were assisted by private ethnic and religious organizations in the U.S., which formed the base for the public-private roles in U.S. resettlement efforts today.”
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/about/history
We resettled millions of Vietnamese after the fall of Siagon, and the argument being made today is thousands of Iraqi’s are at risk for having helped the coalition in various jobs. So they get a promise of resettlement. We also resettled thousands of Bosnians in the 1990s.
It’s political posturing based on what I have read? This does not appear to be anything new, just some wedge issue? As I said earlier, I don’t really have a strong opinion one way or the other, meaning, I don’t have enough facts yet ;)
fair point…I don’t have a problem with this…Rocky however wants an open southern border with millions of illegals flooding into this country…what ‘resettlement program’ do they fall under…Obama’s Transformation Program to Turn America into A Third World Country?
Rocky and I have an understanding. We often agree to disagree. ha!
Seriously, I am not sure we can build walls high enough, nor prison big enough, nor enough buses to shuttle out all the illegal immigrants.
I lean toward immigration reform. One of the reasons I favor a hybrid of flat/consumption tax. It keeps illegals paying taxes, not just of the immigration flavor, but all those working under the table.
yes…I say close the border…then give the illegals here a work permit…let em pay taxes…they are already draining our social programs..NO path to citizenship or voting…
I favor a path to citizenship, with some caveats – ship the drug lords back or put them in prison. Many people came here illegally some 20 years ago and worked towards citizenship and are now productive members.
Close the borders? Great talking point, but how do we enforce that?
My point…they broke the law..they head back to the end of the line…
They broke law, so they need to get in line and correct it. Fine them, that’s what usu. happens when someone breaks the law?
If we found a way to incorporate them, keep them above board, productive members of society, I think the taxpayers would benefit more v. less.
You may be right…20 years sounds fair…
It’ll take them that long to learn to speak English and pass the test for citizenship ;)
LMAO!!! +10
My wife got her citizenship in 3 years, and she spoke fluent English when she immigrated to the US. The test was a joke, so only had to get 6 out of 10 right, and after six questions, they passed her and she went back to her office. Most immigrants, legal and illegal, learn English. They speak their native language in their neighborhoods, but need to speak it so their kids can go to school. Average time to learn English – about 8 months.
I don’t agree the test is a jok. Not sure where your wife is from, but …. I have a friend of more than a decade who is from another more friendly county. This person is married, has US children, but is not a US citizen, I think works on a “green card”?
Anyways, this person has lived in US for at least 20 years and speaks broken English. I asked once about becoming a citizen, that was when I was made aware of how difficult the test is. This person has a business, so not illiterate by any stretch of imagination.
Years pass, it was mentioned becoming a US citizen by this person. Another year passes and I inquire, thinking I might help with the test.
One of the reasons this person does not want to become US citizen – healthcare. Pays taxes in every way, but afraid of the healthcare system.
Whe adopt Mexico and Irans laws on illegal immigration. That should do it.
Any links to those laws? Particularly Mexico? That would be an interesting data point. One I can research later, but don’t have the time right now, unless you have a link?
no link…pushed for time myself…I do know you go to prison and die…if you are lucky
Jeb and Marco already support the pathway – they’ve stated it as recently as Sunday. How do you give them legal status without a pathway to citizenship. A green card entitles you to apply for citizenship after a period of time, period. Try and keep that from them then their kids will always vote Dem, and remember, they have more kids than Tea Party retirees. Proceed please…..
Everybody should have ‘skin’ in the game…why I like consumption tax…not just booze and cigs…gas…food…all of it…make everybody pay…
Hmmm….a consumption tax on basic needs (groceries) would destroy the elderly on fixed income. Those who were relying on Social Security Benefits.
please..5% or $15 a month on a $300 a month grocery tab?
I can see some flexibility with those on SSD…
I have two parents on fixed income. The price of groceries are already very high. 5% consumption on groceries would be more like $45 minimum. It makes a big difference, esp. when benefits have already been cut (particularly medical and not just medicare).
How about an offset…millions on Food stamps…if they are going to be given $200-$600 (month) of free food they should pay tax on that food…???
Hmmm….I’d have to give that thought. Off the cuff, I don’t think they should qualify for food stamps if they are here illegally.
It is a very complicated problem to solve, one that no one really has a good answer to, including me.
$900 a month for groceries a month??? Steak,shrimp and lobster every night? lol
Not at all. Hell, I ended up buying a a whole cow and a couple pigs that were from a local farm so that I could share food. It’s still ridiculously expensive. I am giving you their appx grocery bill, not mine. Mine for a family of 3 is much higher.
Too bad they didn’t plan better or work harder.
Yep
Si Senor. They fall under the Jeb Bush Marco Rubio Amnesty program.
‘membership of a religious minority’…this is what bothers Fits…they are Christians
According to what I read in SC is the Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas that has a matching program.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/ffy-2013-14-state-of-south-carolina-orr-funded-programs
Send them to a country more in keeping from where they came!
The “teenage” radicals going the Islamic revolution are mostly resettled kids from North Africa!!!
Wake up people!
Proof?
read the damn newspaper. these people are coming from Minneapolis (where the Somalis were settled) etc.
Do some research.
Nikki is sucking on it now – hoping to suck on the big one later.
Good. It’s nice to see her act contrary to her supporters, and make them look like the dumbasses that they are. I love it.
I am glad for the immigrants and hope the plan goes through, but suspect Nikki by throwing her shoe into this ring really is working more for her Washington aspirations than for the good of her SC constituents. She is showing again that she doesn’t give a damn about the plight of the poor in SC. But she will play-act the humanitarian if it makes her look good on the national stage.
LOL…Nikki kicks your socialist asses every damn day!!!A job creating machine that protects the unborn, fights against perverted marriage and balances being compassionate and fiscally conservative in her fight for the people of SC!!!
Nikki for VP!!
That sounds fair, Dan. If Haley does something you disagree with, give her hell for it. If, however, you agree with her, attack her motives.
So Haley wants to bring in these folks and give them free healthcare and other benifits. Too bad she does not support those same benifits for the people already here.
So refreshing to see into hardness of the Libertarian heart.
Sauve qui peut.
Would it be possible to use this money for a “resettlement program” for gays that get married in SC?
Equally refreshing to see the generosity of heart some have with someone else’s money.
I don’t have a strong opinion one way or the other at this point, but it looks the the Federal Government is spending money in other states, so why no SC? It also appears the program is fully funded by the federal government and a matching contribution by the Lutheran Church?
So what? The Federal & State government is taking money from you, me, & lots of others to fix a problem it created in the first place.
Missionary work should be carried out by people that are using money voluntary given. It’s not supposed to be the job of our government to redistribute our wealth to the people of other nations.
This isn’t new? I can’t find links to SC Resettlement from your World Relief Program.
The Federal Government has our taxes, the only way we are getting any of the back is via some incentive. SC on the map has very few of the resettlement camps.
I do not disagree with you, “It’s not supposed to be the job of our government to redistribute our wealth to the people of other nations.” However, this program “appears” to be a citizenship program, so are they American’s?
“I do not disagree with you”
Good.
As for the rest, I do not know. If Will is wrong in his reporting, so be it.
I enjoy the dialogue and fact checking. Nothing against Will or his reporting. I obviously like this site, I certainly comment enough on his thought provoking articles.
The goal isn’t to discredit, but find the truth.
I wonder how she is going to feel when ‘some’ Muslims set up a ISIS, terrorist training camps here in SOUTH CAROLINA ? How’s she going to deal with that ?
The Democrat Party has already set up a ‘camp’ in SC…Democrat Party,ISIS…whatever you want to call em…they both terrorize hard working,law abiding middle class families of faith
She will do to ISIS what she does to the Democrat Party in SC…kick their ass over and over again!!! lol
Hey Tina, don’t you understand that Sikhs pray to Allah. Yes, really. Google Nikki Haley relatives Amritsar and take a look at the wedding photos.
Nikki’s sole purpose in life is to leave SC forever. She has become a self-promoting, malicious person leaving a trail of blood, pain, anger, and sorrow behind her. For those who knew her “back then” the question is: Who or What has changed her from the nice person she used to be?
My friend..not agreeing with your premise about Haley…I don’t know her…however we can both agree that power and money corrupt very good people…
My pick is — The Power.
Harsh much. Who’s malicious? Those for or against settlement of refugees….
Good point…seems very Christ-Like too help those in need…she sure doesn’t deserve heat on this…maybe Hey Big Spender Swervin Tommy Ervin can help em in the upstate…LOL
Like most things reported here issues have many sides, and unless one has full info about all sides – ya’ have to punt…..
Payback for upcountry Republicans not showing up for her August 2013 rally with Jindal, Walker and Perry
Roll on Gypsy Queen Dooh Nibor, dammit roll on !!
Couldn’t agree more, fun to see the Upstate getting a dose of the Nikki Haley we all know
I promise you this: She has significant donors that will make money off of this. The world of resettlement is one I know well. There is a web of charities, businesses, realtors and consultants that make money on these resettlements. Demand transparency in this and you will be shocked to see who is making money off of this “Christian” scam.
I would love to see who is making money off this. It would make the conversation far more interesting than speculation.
And we all know that making money, whether in the the private sector or providing services to the government is evil, right?
BT while you and I have our disagreements, I have to say, I agree with you more than most. Many I like, contrary to political differences, but few I agree with.
Let business pay for it. Let charity pay for it. But not my tax dollars. Resettle them in North Africa or somewhere else closer to their present lifestyle.
No idea Marl, what you are talking about. If you took the time to explain, I might engage.
I don’t want tax dollars paying for this.
I understand and I don’t want it either. My position is and has been defund, defund (fantasy island spin). I’ve followed federal politics far more than state until probably 2008 or maybe 2009?
Anyways, one thing I know – the federal government taxes us. They turn around and use that money as incentives. Even Ron Paul had enough sense to add pork to ever bill so that he could bring back money to his district.
Maybe we are looking at things the wrong way? I would like some of our tax dollars applied to the state I live in.
State cannot cut enough in taxes to make a huge impact. Notice, they continue to incentivize business to move here? Notice the state plays the same game internally.
What we pay to the FG is far more than any state taxes collected, so as a resident of SC and with a little more knowledge under my belt, I’d like some of those tax dollars back, minimizing the loss of freedom. Resettlement? Well, I’m not to concerned about that, unless there is more data is provided.
I started to edit again, but good luck reading that. My 6 year old and dog are running circles around me, so hope it makes sense.
I used to have a hundred pages of research on this stuff. (I went through this 10 years ago and won the battle) I will look for it.
The Feds, through various charities and businesses and government entities, will be spending tens of millions to settle these people. Schools will get money for language training, hospitals for special counseling and diseases treatment, realtors of providing housing…the list goes on.
Everybody makes money then they go away, leaving the hometown with the problem. (the people making the money do not live in the neighborhoods where the immigrants live!) It is a huge rackets and special people get special rich!
Thank you for laying that out for us. Any idiot by now, should know that Nikki will do anything (or anybody) if she can make a dishonest buck. Unfortunately, thousands of those idiots thought that sending her crooked ass back for another fout was somehow, a good idea.
And that is different from every other politician in what way? I didn’t vote for her last election, I knew she had already won, why waste my time.
Yes, but she not only excells in self-serving and greed, she is now teaching the course.
They all do. She is better than many I have encountered. Not as good as I hoped, but….if a self-serving greedy person is going to teach the course, I prefer Haley.
“Christian” scam? Is that like the “Muslim” scam Obama is running out of the wHite House?
So, bringing in shitloads of Muslims is good if done by idiot Xtian groups and churches but bad when another Muslim brings them in? In the great scheme of things, how is either more or less harmdful than the other? Personally, I think they BOTH suck hog nuts.
FYI In the notice to seek the death penalty, prosecutors said: “Dzhokhar
Tsarnaev received asylum from the United States; obtained citizenship
and enjoyed the freedoms of a United States citizen; and then betrayed
his allegiance to the United States by killing and maiming people in the
United States.”
Let’s just ignore the fact that SC has been accepting refugees and legal immigrants since 1975. Let’s ignore the fact that studies have been done that show that the less than 8% of these refugees are still on ANY type of government assistance after 2 years. These people become a PART of the communities they join. This is what the USA has ALWAYS been about…welcoming the poor, tired and huddled masses. Now all of these people want to fundamentally change who America is and what we have always been about.