National Conference of State Legislatures 2015 Immigration Report
The National Conference of State Legislatures has released its 2015 Immigration Report.
In the first half of 2015, enacted legislation related to immigration increased by 16 percent to 153 compared with 132 laws in 2014. The number of resolutions bounced back to 238 after last year’s sharp decline to 84.
Lawmakers in 46 states and Puerto Rico enacted 153 laws and 238 resolutions related to immigration, for a total of 391. An additional 10 bills were vetoed by governors and 20 are pending signatures.
Four states did not enact immigration-related legislation in the first half of 2015: Alaska, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Ohio.
The increase can be explained in part because every state was in regular session in 2015, unlike 2014 when five states were not in session.
Here are some interesting pieces of state immigration legislation.
Delaware and Hawaii enacted legislation to give unauthorized immigrants driving privileges.
Rhode Island’s law states that homeless people have a right to services regardless of political or religious beliefs, immigration status, disability, gender, etc., and created a committee to regulate shelter services.
Maine and Utah clarified eligibility for general assistance of certain noncitizens.
California established a statewide director of immigrant integration. Minnesota created three ethnic councils: the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs; Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage; and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans.
Seven states adopted resolutions seeking action from Congress or the administration. These include requesting support for comprehensive immigration reform (California, NevadaLouisiana, Texas(Michigan); restoration of federal health care for residents present under the compacts of free association (Hawaii); reimbursement to the state for the financial burden of securing the Mexico border (Texas); and alternatives to the detainment of immigrant families seeking asylum in this country (New Mexico). Other resolutions addressed refugee resettlement (South Carolina(Georgia); and a review of health and law enforcement policies related immigrant communities (Puerto Rico). E-Verify. Indiana required contractors to submit case verification numbers before work begins on a public work project. Texas mandated E-Verify for state agencies.
Hat tip to Cappy White!
KJ