States fight illegal migration

Dozens of measures limit access to jobs, benefits

Daniel González
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 2, 2006 12:00 AM

More than half of the states in the nation have passed immigration measures this year aimed at denying undocumented immigrants access to jobs and benefits, following Arizona's lead and tackling the issue themselves.

The states and some cities are responding to mounting public pressure for stricter immigration enforcement.

Enforcing and passing immigration laws is usually the job of the federal government. But, so far, Congress has failed to pass immigration reform, with the House and Senate unable to strike a compromise over two competing bills passed earlier this year.

"Ultimately, the federal government has the responsibility to both determine and enforce our nation's immigration laws. But in light of federal inaction, state lawmakers are trying to use the tools at their disposable," said Sheri Steisel, who tracks immigration measures for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The gridlock has left local communities and states to foot much of the bill for emergency health care, education and other services for undocumented immigrants while grappling with crime and other ills associated with illegal immigration, experts say.

Hundreds of anti-illegal immigration bills have been introduced in states across the country and dozens adopted.