States introduce own immigration bills to counter federal law

WASHINGTON: Even as the US Senate gears for a critical vote on the much-debated immigration bill later this week, lawmakers are concerned that a raft of legislations at the State level, with many recommending strict measures against illegal immigrants, might torpedo reform efforts.

At least 1,100 immigration bills were submitted by lawmakers by May end in the various states, more than double the last year's record total, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

It is largely out of a frustration over Congress' inability to deal with illegal immigration that several states are either considering or enacting a record number of "strongly worded proposals" targeting illegal immigrants, according to The Washington Post daily.

The final tally for the bills is expected to rise as the issue continues to dominate debate in statehouses still in session, it said.

The ways in which state legislatures and law makers have come to terms with illegal immigration are varied and these include passing laws that limit illegal immigrants' ability to obtain jobs, find housing, get driver's licences and receive many government services.

"They also empower state law enforcement agencies to inquire into an immigrant's legal status and hold for deportation those deemed to be here illegally. The idea is to make life so difficult for illegal immigrants that they will leave the state -- if not the country," The Post has said.

"Illegal immigrants will not come to Oklahoma if there are no jobs waiting for them," said state lawmaker Randy Terrill (Republican), who wrote his state's law, one of the most sweeping in the country.

"They will not stay here if there are no government subsidies, and they certainly will not stay here if they know that if they come in contact with one of our officers, they will be physically detained until they are deported," Terrill was quoted as saying.

The US Senate is trying to reach a bipartisan consensus on the Immigration Bill but is running into some rough weather with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Senior Senators are making the point increasingly that the Immigration Bill will first come to terms with toughening the borders before any other provisions will be enforced.

The Congress is trying to come to grips with an estimated 11 million to more than 12 million illegals in America, most of them Hispanic.

According to latest statistics there are an estimated 2.8 lakh illegal immigrants from India.

The Senate Bill under consideration also has provisions to increase the number of H1B visas, sought by a large number of Indians, to 115,000 from the current 65,000.

But immigration activists have been quite vocal in their opposition to move the focus in "green cards" away from family to skills.

The battle in the Senate is just one part of a complicated legislative environment. In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has yet to introduce the immigration legislation.

Ultimately the House and the Senate versions will have to be reconciled in a Conference session. And all of this will have to take place before the country gets into the full election mode this September.