State Immigration Legislation: A Resource Page

As states across the country pursue local immigration measures, it’s important to consider the facts. The following resources provide basic background information by state on the impact of immigration. It also provides key answers to basic questions about state immigration-related laws—from the substance of the legislation and myths surrounding the debate to the legal and fiscal implications.

State-by-State Resources

• The Economic and Political Impact of Immigrants, Latinos and Asians State by State
• Immigrant Entrepreneurs, Innovation, and Welcoming Initiatives by State
• Congressional District-by-District Immigration Profiles

Background:

• Q&A Guide to State Immigration Laws:  What You Need to Know If Your State is Considering Anti-Immigrant Legislation (updated February 2012)
• Discrediting “Self Deportation” as Immigration Policy: Why an Attrition through Enforcement Strategy Makes Life Difficult for Everyone (February 2012)

General Resources:

• Giving Facts a Fighting Chance: Answers to the Toughest Immigration Questions
• Not in our State: What Community-Based Organizations Can Do To Combat SB1070 Copycat Legislation (NCLR Toolkit)
• Statistical Hot Air: FAIR’s USA Report Lacks Credibility
• A State by State Look at the Economic and Political Impact of Immigration

The Economics of State Immigration Laws:

• Bad for Business: How Anti-Immigration Legislation Drains Budgets and Damages States’ Economies (March 2012)
• Checklist for Estimating the Cost of SB 1070-Style Legislation (updated November 2011)
• Cost to States if All Unauthorized Immigrants Were Removed (2008)

Specific State Immigration Laws:

Arizona

• The Legal Challenges and Economic Realities of Arizona's SB 1070: A Resource Page
• Enforcing Arizona’s SB 1070: A State of Confusion
• Telebriefing: Is Arizona-like "Papers Please" Legislation Coming to Your State? Listen to policy experts discuss what immigration legislation is currently moving in the states, their impact on local economies, and current and potential legal challenges to these laws here.
• A Rising Tide or a Shrinking Pie: The Economic Impact of Legalization Versus Deportation in Arizona (March 2011)
• Read blog posts about Arizona's immigration law

Alabama

• Bad for Business: How Alabama’s Anti-Immigrant Law Stifles State Economy (November 2011)
• Turning Off the Water: How the Contracting and Transaction Provisions in Alabama's Immigration Law Make Life Harder For Everyone (November 2011)
• Read Blog Posts about Alabama's immigration law

Maryland

• Maryland DREAM Act is a Smart Economic Investment (ImmigrationImpact.com)

Mississippi

• Bad for Business: How Mississippi’s Proposed Anti-Immigration Laws Will Stifle the State Economy (IPC Fact Check, February 2012)
• Read Blog Posts about Mississippi's immigration law

Missouri

• Missouri State Legislature Pursing Budget Busting Solutions to Immigration (January 2012)

Read all of our blogs on immigration in the States.

Read all of our resources on State Immigration Enforcement.

Published On: Thu, Feb 02, 2012