Kiawah Island is a gateway for illegal immigrants. They (legally) bring guest workers here to the USA, who come with the expectation of being able to make enough money to send some back home. Many don't even make enough money to eat. At that point there is no alternative but to go illegal. These disappear after a few weeks of $3.00-$70.00 bi-monthly paychecks to be replaced by other future illegals. The handful who make good paychecks (waiters, for example) tend to go home at the end of the season as intended. The dishwashers and housekeepers tend to leave illegally. Understand this: Kiawah's profitability depends on bringing in foreign workers, there aren't anywhere near enough experienced guest workers in the Lowcountry willing to drive 45-90 miles to work for $6.00-$8.00 and hour and uncertain hours to staff the resort. Kiawah cannot keep its stars and diamonds staffed by ex-convicts and junkies.

Kiawah is caught up in a cycle of bringing in, distributing illegal aliens. It doesn't affect their bottom line so, of course, there is no reason to stop. This is not a rant against illegal immigrants, nor against Kiawah, I am simply pointing out the fact that bringing people here and not paying them has broad consequences. The cause and the effect are clear. Returning home to their families after spending (sometimes borrowing) money to get here is not an option in most cases.

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