State-level immigration bills hit record number in 2011, report says

Tuesday, Sept. 20
By Uriel J. Garcia
Cronkite News


Borders Within Borders:


Top 10 states for immigration laws enacted in 2011, through of June 30:

• Utah 15
• Virginia 14
• Arizona 12
• Washington 11
• Texas 10
• Indiana 6
• Oklahoma 5
• North Dakota 5
• Nebraska 5
• Montana 5

WASHINGTON – The number of immigration bills proposed in state capitals reached a record 1,592 this year, but the number actually signed into law fell by one–fourth, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The conference’s report, which included both pro-immigrant bills like the DREAM Act and anti–immigrant proposals, said the rising number of such bills continued a trend that began in 2005.

But it also said the 162 bills that made it into law this year was the lowest percentage of bill approvals in that period.

Experts say the spike in bill introductions may have been inspired by Arizona, which has been at the forefront of state immigration laws, but that the drop in enactments might also be attributed to Arizona and the backlash it has faced.

“Some legislators still want to claim credit by sponsoring such bills,â€