So. Carolina official wants ‘states rights’ to deal with illegal aliens

So. Carolina Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell is calling for a national constitutional convention to give states the right to deny benefits to illegal aliens and have them deported. The extraordinary move would require approval by 38 states in order to approve a constitutional amendment.

McConnell, a Republican from the Charleston area, said his proposal is “an act of frustration. The state is bearing the burden because of the power failure in Washington.” The amendment would clearly state that if Congress continues to “refuse to act,” states would have the ability to act in order to protect themselves and their pocketbooks.

Sheri Steisel, federal affairs counselor and senior director with the National Conference of State Legislatures, said the So. Carolina proposal is the only call for a constitutional convention that she knows of.

State House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said he supports McConnell and believes the resolution will gain support in the House. "All of us on a state level are trying to figure how to handle this issue basically with our hands tied," Harrell said. "I think it will go through the General Assembly fairly quickly."