States tackling impacts of illegal immigration in absence of federal action
2007-08-07
Brady McCombs
http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/blogs/borderblog/5191/

It’s not just border states who are worried about the impacts of illegal immigration these days. In the absence of immigration reform by the federal government, states across the nation are trying to fill the void by passing state legislation.

A study released Monday by National Conference of State Legislatures shows that from January through July 2:

At least one piece of immigration related legislation has been enacted in 41 of the 50 states and introduced in all 50.
1,404 pieces of legislation were introduced, nearly two and a half times more than in 2006.
170 bills have been enacted, more than double the number in 2006; 84.
Of the 170 bills enacted:

38 were resolutions
35 were related to ID, driver’s licenses or other licenses
26 were related to employment of illegal immigrants
15 were aimed at denying public benefits
15 were designed to stop human trafficking organizations.
From the report:
“The immigration-related legislation covers almost every policy arena relevant in state legislatures. Many states have focused on employment, health, identification and driver’s and other licenses, law enforcement, public benefits, and human trafficking.â€