HORRY COUNTY -- This time of the year, 85 acres of tobacco on Richard Floyd's farm in the Cool Spring community of Horry County, near Aynor, need to be harvested. But right now, he's finding it difficult to do that.
"Last year, we had 13 to 14 people coming to my house for work," says Floyd, "This year, I can't find anyone to work. The immigration help is scared to death."
He says possible immigration reform in South Carolina is what is scaring migrant workers from the state.
Thursday, state legislators postponed debating illegal immigration until June 14th. Since both the State Senate and House passed their own versions of the bill, it will be taken up in the limited special session.
The Senate-proposed bill would penalize businesses for hiring illegal workers and allow police to check suspects' immigration status.
Floyd says a passage of an such a bill would have a damaging effect on the agricultural industry.
"It's a big deal to us because without immigration labor, we wouldn't be able to survive. There are no American workers who actually do the work and consistently come back," says Floyd.
He believes consumers would start to understand the implications of the bill if it is passed.
"Prices would go up considerably because no one will do the work."
With only a few workers left, those working in Floyd's fields are starting to grow even more concerned.
"I've got a guy here who is legal and been here for ten to 12 years. He's scared to death because he's heard stories of people getting locked up who were legal immigrants."
Do you think legislators should pass immigration reform in South Carolina?
