(CN) - A bill requiring state police to track refugees coming to South Carolina moved to the floor of the state Senate on Thursday, a day after its approval in committee.
Ibrahum Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said to the best of his knowledge, South Carolina is the first state to propose the creating of a tracking registry for refugees.
The bill would require any refugees relocating to the state to register with the Department of Social Services within 30 days. They agency would then share the provided information with the State Law Enforcement Division, which would then track the individuals.
The bill would also hold any group helping to settle refugees in South Carolina liable if any of the immigrants they aided went on to commit an act of terrorism.
"We've got a crisis on our hands and we are making history today," said state Sen. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson, after the committee vote in favor of the bill.
The proposal has significant support among conservative Republicans in the state legislature, but Democrats intend to block floor debate of the bill.
Currently no refugees have been relocated to South Carolina. North Carolina has welcomed 23 individuals to date; Georgia, 63; and Florida, 110.
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