South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette has proposed a plan to construct a “Palmetto Pen,” a new detention facility aimed at housing undocumented immigrants who have committed violent crimes within the state. This proposal, which she announced as part of her campaign for governor, is intended to send a strong message that South Carolina will not be a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.
Modeled after a similar facility in Florida, the “Palmetto Pen” would be a secure, isolated prison designed to detain individuals with a criminal record. Evette stated the facility would provide law enforcement with the tools to safely hold these individuals and ease the burden on existing local and state jails. Her proposal suggests that the facility could be built on the site of a former correctional facility and aims to avoid a cost burden on South Carolina taxpayers.
The plan has drawn immediate criticism from organizations such as the ACLU of South Carolina, which has launched a petition against the idea. Opponents have raised concerns about the potential for inhumane conditions and the denial of access to legal counsel, citing issues reported at the Florida facility it is based on. The ACLU argues that such a facility could erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, making people hesitant to report crimes.
While Governor Henry McMaster’s office has not publicly endorsed the “Palmetto Pen” proposal directly, a statement from his office noted that state officials are exploring how South Carolina’s assets can be used to provide enhanced support for immigration enforcement.
The proposal comes amidst a broader push for stricter immigration enforcement in South Carolina. The state legislature has been considering several bills, including one that would require law enforcement agencies to check the immigration status of persons they arrest. With the 2026 gubernatorial election on the horizon, immigration and enforcement policies are emerging as a central issue in the state’s political discourse.
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