Immigration measures
Ballot initiatives would impose state regulations
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008
The emotional and divisive debate over illegal immigration has toned down since Washington's failure last year to enact comprehensive national reform. However, while it may not be a leading topic on Capitol Hill or even in the presidential campaign, it remains a volatile issue at the state level.

Many municipalities and state legislatures have established their own restrictions on services. Some crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants by denying firms business licenses or refusing to do state business with companies employing illegal immigrants. Last year states adopted nearly 200 immigration-related laws.

Ballot measures have also proved popular in the past and will be again this year.

Oregon and Missouri initiatives in November will address English-speaking requirements for immigrants. The latter will make English the only language of state government, which will affect driver's licenses, election ballots and other official documents and make it more difficult for non-English-speaking residents.

The Oregon measure would limit how much time immigrant children have to learn English. High school students would be given two years of English as a Second Language instruction, younger students even less. The restrictions could work against immigrant children by making it more difficult for them to keep up in other subjects. Dr. Jim Cummins, a specialist in second language acquisition and literacy at the University of Toronto, said it takes from five to seven years to master formal academic English.

The chief sponsor of the initiative, Bill Sizemore, said it was intended to mainstream foreign-speaking students faster. Similar laws are in effect in California, Arizona and Massachusetts.

California is tackling illegal immigration through law enforcement. Proposition Six on the ballot includes a provision to deny illegal immigrants bail when they are charged with violent or gang-related felonies. Sheriffs would also be required to inform federal officials when an illegal immigrant is arrested, something many local law enforcement officials refuse to do.

Immigration control is primarily a federal responsibility, but states and voters upset with the slow pace of federal action are seizing the opportunity to impose their regulations as well.
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