2011 Immigration-Related Laws and Resolutions in the States

An urgent post from www.Alipac.us surveying the state legislator approach to immigration this year. This follows this post about slowing down immigration during an economic slump. This follows this post about anti-Sanctuary legislation in Texas and  this post which shows that there are 30,000 openly illegal immigrants in the border town of El Paso, where President Barack Obama recently bashed immigration enforcement! On a related note, you can read about Miss Kentucky Latina here, an interesting article about Jessica Alba here or another article about Salma Hayek here. For more that you can do to get involved click HERE and you can read a very interesting book HERE!

And Remember when contacting public officials to please be firm but respectful. Any over the top messages could result in law enforcement action against you. Just let these senators know that you are aware of what they have done and that you intend to remove them from office in the 2012 elections.

2011 Immigration-Related Laws and Resolutions in the States



Topic: congress senate illegal Immigration Laws



In the first half of 2011, state legislators introduced 1,592 bills and resolutions relating to immigrants and refugees in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The number of bill introductions is an increase of 16 percent compared to the first half of 2010, when 46 states considered 1,374 bills and resolutions pertaining to immigrants.



As of June 30, 2011, 40 state legislatures enacted 151 laws and adopted 95 resolutions for a total of 246. 44 state legislatures passed 191 laws and adopted 128 resolutions, for a total of 314. An additional five bills were vetoed. The 2011 total of laws and resolutions is a decrease of 22 percent. Twelve additional bills passed but were vetoed by governors. As of June 30, an additional 10 bills were pending governors’ approval – these bills are not included in this report of enacted laws. For the same period in 2010,



As in previous years, law enforcement, identification/driver’s licenses and employment remained the top issues addressed in state legislation related to immigrants. Several states – Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota and Utah – enacted sex offender registries that include a requirement of proof of citizenship or immigration documents. Montana required that the DMV use the SAVE program to verify a driver's license or an ID applicant's lawful presence. E-Verify legislation was enacted in 10 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Seventeen states now have an E-Verify requirement.



Topics: Illegal immigration, E-Verify, SAVE Act,





Joy Segreto and Ann Morse

August 09, 2011

The National Conference of State Legislatures



Five states – Alabama, Georgia, Indiana South Carolina and Utah – crafted omnibus laws following the example of Arizona’s SB.1070. The legislation includes provisions that require law enforcement to attempt to determine the immigration status of a person involved in a lawful stop; allowing state residents to sue state and local agencies for noncompliance with immigration enforcement; requiring E-Verify; and making it a state violation for failure to carry an alien registration document. Alabama’s HB.56 requires schools to verify students’ immigration status. All five immigration enforcement laws have been challenged in court, citing federal preemption and violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.



Utah took the immigration debate in a new direction, crafting a package of bills to support immigration enforcement and a legal immigrant workforce (HB.116, HB.466, HB.469 and HB.497). Key provisions include seeking a federal waiver to obtain foreign workers; creating a multi-agency strike force to combat crimes associated with illegal immigration and human trafficking; creating an advisory Utah Commission on Immigration and Migration; and requiring studies on the economic, legal, cultural and educational impact of immigration and a state plan on immigration and integration.



In education, Maryland and Connecticut will permit unauthorized immigrant students to be eligible for in-state tuition. Twelve states now have similar statutes that typically condition eligibility on attendance and graduation from a state high school and college admission.



In the health and public benefits categories, Washington state offers services to ethnic minority children participating in foster care ages 18 to 21. Indiana established a county domestic violence fatality review team and provides migrant child care if domestic violence is found. Nevada created the Silver State health insurance exchange and permits lawfully present immigrants to participate.



More information on these omnibus laws can be found under the omnibus category in this report and online. See also NCSL’s publications on Arizona’s law http://www.ncsl.org/?tab and on omnibus bills in 2011 http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?Tab



State laws related to immigration have increased dramatically in recent years:



In 2005, 300 bills were introduced; 38 laws were enacted and 6 vetoed.



In 2006, 570 bills were introduced, 84 laws were enacted and 12 resolutions adopted.



In 2007, 1,562 bills were introduced, 240 laws were enacted and 50 resolutions adopted.



In 2008, 1,305 bills were introduced, 206 laws were enacted and 64 resolutions adopted.



In 2009, more than 1,500 bills were introduced, 222 laws were enacted and 131 resolutions adopted.



In 2010, more than 1,400 bills were introduced, 208 laws were enacted, and 138 resolutions adopted.



As of June 30, 2011, 40 state legislatures enacted 150 laws and adopted 95 resolutions for a total of 245.



Summaries of all enacted laws and resolutions are available online sorted alphabetically by state and by category at: www.ncsl.org/programs/immig





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