Immigration Bills Have Flooded State Capitols

Salt Lake Tribune: State legislatures faced an unprecedented number of immigration bills introduced during the first quarter of the year, with most focusing on areas of law enforcement and employment, according to a National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) report released Monday. The study found 1,538 immigration bills were introduced in 50 states and Puerto Rico - up from 1,180 during the first quarter of 2010. And Bill Pound, executive director of the NCSL, expects immigration-related bills will continue to be a steady presence in state capitols. "I don't know if the numbers will be higher, but the action will be constant," Pound said. He also said Utah's comprehensive approach would likely be emulated in other states as they take stock of the image and economic fallout from Arizona's passage of SB1070 - the enforcement-only bill that has had major chunks struck down by the federal courts as unconstitutional.