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Secure Communities
 The Secure Communities program in DHS was created to improve the identification and removal of criminal unauthorized immigrants from the United States. The program expands access for state and local law enforcement to the US-VISIT and IDENT databases, and adds biometric fingerprints to the biographical information currently used to identify immigration status. This brief describes the program, pros and cons, and recent state and federal actions. More
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2011 State Immigration-Related Laws
 NCSL's year-end report on state immigration laws finds that state legislatures considered 1607 bills in all 50 states and Puerto Rico in 2011. Forty-two states and Puerto Rico enacted 197 new laws and 109 new resolutions, for a total of 306. Dec. 7, 2011. More
State lawmakers and an immigration lawyer discuss immigration issues in the states. More
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E-Verify
 E-Verify is a federal program to help employers verify work authorization of new employees. This FAQ explains E-Verify, state legislation, a recent GAO evaluation, and the May 26, 2011 Supreme Court ruling upholding Arizona's 2007 law. Revised Nov. 4, 2011. More
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Immigration and State Laws: Interviews with the Experts
 The session on “Testing the Constitution: State Immigration Laws and the Courts” featured Professor Peter Schuck, a constitutional scholar from Yale University, who described immigration federalism, the role of states, and areas of federal preemption. Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Arizona State Senator Rich Crandall, and Utah State Senator Curtis Bramble offered their perspectives on immigration within their states. More
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Arizona and Immigration Law Enforcement
 Arizona's SB1070 and HB 2162 added new state requirements, crimes and penalties relating to immigration law enforcement. On July 28, 2010, the laws were partially enjoined and on April 11, 2011, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court upheld the injunction. A video of a session examining the laws and legal challenges at NCSL's Legislative Summit session is now available online. Updated July 28, 2011. More
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State Omnibus Immigration Laws and Lawsuits
 Since omnibus immigration enforcement laws were enacted in Arizona early in 2010 (and subsequently enjoined after a federal challenge), five additional states have enacted similar laws: Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina and Utah in 2011. Lawsuits were filed in each state. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion for injunction of Alabama's law, HB56, on August 1; on South Carolina's immigration law, S.20, on October 31; and of Utah's HB497 on November 22. On Dec. 12, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review Arizona v. U.S. On Dec. 22, parts of South Carolina's law were enjoined.
Utah was the first state this year to address immigration reform in a comprehensive package. The legislative debate was framed by the "Utah Compact," a set of five principles based on federal solutions, law enforcement, families, economy and free society. Updated Dec. 23, 2011 More
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Immigrant Policy Issues Overview
Federal immigration decisions have direct and indirect effects on state and local governments in the form of their budgets; the composition of their citizenry; the utilization and quality of their services; and the general social, political, and economic character of their communities.
Although the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over immigration policy (the terms and conditions for entry into the United States), states and localities have become responsible for immigrant policy (the policies that help newcomers integrate into the country’s economic, social, and civic life.) States implement programs required by federal law, provide services mandated by the courts, and initiate programs and policies to serve the specialized needs of their new citizens.
The NCSL Immigrant Policy Project provides legislative research and analysis on immigration policy issues, such as the provision of social services, health care and education and integration assistance, including citizenship and civic engagement. Project publications have examined immigrants’ eligibility for federal and state programs, including TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, SCHIP, and SSI. We provide information on federal immigration reform proposals; issues related to immigration employment (temporary worker visas, E-Verify and worksite enforcement), and state fiscal impact studies. Finally, the Project regularly produces a report on state laws and resolutions related to immigrants and immigration.
NCSL Executive Committee Task Force on Immigration and the States
The NCSL Executive Committee Task Force on Immigration and the States was created with the dual purpose of providing a forum for states to exchange ideas and promising practices while helping legislators understand the implications of federal immigration reform proposals on their states. This task force is examining federalism issues related to immigration policy and the role of states in immigrant policy, exploring new mechanisms for participating in state-federal immigration partnerships, including fair and effective immigration processing and enforcement and extending support for immigrant integration programs.
Affiliated Projects
Building the New American Community was a collaborative project launched with federal support in an effort to understand the elements of successful refugee and immigrant integration - to understand what that means, what works, what doesn't work, and why. NCSL launched this project with four national partners and coalitions of public and private partners in three demonstration communities, with an emphasis on two-way integration. The national project ended in 2004. NCSL continues pilot projects in individual states with foundation support.
The Hunger and Nutrition Partnership engages state lawmakers in efforts to reduce hunger and improve nutrition. The project, supported by The UPS Foundation, has conducted site visits and seminars for partnerships of policymakers, researchers and practitioners. We also developed key publications on federal nutrition and hunger programs and best practices in the states, "Addressing Hunger and Nutrition: A Tool Kit for Positive Results" summarizes the goals, criteria and funding for 12 federal nutrition assistance programs. "Bringing Legislators to the Table: Addressing Hunger and Nutrition in America" provides state legislators with practical examples of how to leverage resources and expertise across sectors to reach vulnerable populations.
Project Staff
Ann Morse, Program Director
State and Local Coalition on Immigration
The State and Local Coalition on Immigration is a collaborative effort of six national organizations representing state and local government: The National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the American Public Human Services Association. Since the early 1980s, these organizations have worked individually and jointly to advance the state and local perspective on immigration before Congress and the Administration through correspondence, issue briefings, and testimony.
State and Local Coalition on Immigration contacts:
NCSL: Sheri Steisel
NGA: Heather Hogsett
NACo: Marilina Sanz
APHSA: Robert Ek
USCM: Crystal Swann
NLC: Leslie Wollack
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Issues & Resources
Find the NCSLstaff member who handles the issue in which you are interested.
NCSLprovides access to current state and federal legislation and a comprehensive list of state documents, including state statutes, constitutions, legislative audits and research reports.
Members
As legislators and legislative staff, you are part of the nation's largest, most influential and only bipartisan organization of state legislators and staff.Learn about the resources NCSL has for you.
NCSL offers an array of services for legislative staff. Find out what's available.
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