Federal immigration failures fuel state action

July 17, 2008, 4:11AM
Federal immigration failures fuel state action


By DEEPTI HAJELA Associated Press Writer
© 2008 The Associated Press

NEW YORK — When Suffolk County passed a law requiring licensed contractors to prove their workers are in the U.S. legally, the county at the far end of Long Island suddenly had something in common with such states as Oklahoma and Arizona.

What they share is a determination to respond to the federal government's failure to enact immigration reform.

Advocates on both sides of the immigration issue acknowledge a sharp spike in measures proposed by states, counties and cities to deal with illegal immigration.

"There is very much a battle going on at the local level," said Karen Narasaki, executive director of the Asian American Justice Center.

In 2005, approximately 300 immigration bills were introduced in state legislatures, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Last year, the number of such bills soared to 1,562. During the first three months of this year, lawmakers proposed 1,106 laws pertaining to immigrants.

The proposed immigration laws cover topics ranging from education and employment to driver's licenses and human trafficking. Many proposals extend local law enforcement's responsibilities to include enforcing federal immigration laws.

Only a small portion of the proposed legislation has been adopted, but the number of new state laws on immigration is increasing. About 240 laws related to immigration were enacted by states last year, compared to 84 in 2006, according to the NCSL.

Laws enacted by states and municipalities to deal with growing populations of illegal immigrants often face court challenges.

Some examples:

_ A preliminary injunction was issued recently against part of an Oklahoma law that subjects employers to penalties for failing to comply with a federal employee verification system. The law, which took effect in November, also makes it a state felony to knowingly transport or harbor illegal immigrants.

_ A judge struck down a Hazelton, Pa., law that fines landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and denies business permits to companies that employ them. The ruling is being appealed.

_ A judge ruled that Suffolk County violated its rules in May when it adopted a law requiring all licensed contractors to prove their workers are legally in the country. An earlier law requiring such proof applied only to contractors doing business with the county government. The county is fighting the ruling.

Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for more immigration control, said the local focus on issues like verifying legal status for work eligibility shows the increasing sophistication of state and local governments.

"The fact is, even in the '90s there was an appreciation that turning off the jobs magnet by government was a way to go," he said. "What we're now seeing is that strategy spreading across the country."

He also sees the state activity as a way to spark action at the federal level.

"The hope is the federal government will leapfrog over these state measures and eventually mandate verification for all hires," he said.

Immigrant advocates say they too would prefer that the federal government address immigration reform.

"It's impossible for us to keep track of every local ordinance that pops up," said Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition. "Advocates just feel overwhelmed, we just can't be fighting thousands of little battles.

"We would rather have a national debate on the national solution for this national problem that we have."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/ ... 92483.html

The states have been forced to step up as a matter of self preservation. The Federal Government has FAILED MISERABLY, and in fact, has not attempted to control this problem.

Thank God there are still Americans who believe citizenship and rule of law are worth protecting.

It was not that long ago that local police were instructed to release van loads of illegal immigrants, without issuing any citations for no license, insurance, or any other traffic violation. It is still that way in Houston. But at least some states are trying to stop the invasion and the obsolute lawlessness the illegals have grown accustomed to.