Indeed, some states are striving to develop a reputation for being tough on illegal immigrants in hopes of discouraging any more from settling.
"While we're not a border state, I thought it proper to make sure we don't find ourselves in the same situation as California, Arizona and New Mexico 10 years from now," said Georgia state Sen. Chip Rogers, a Republican who is backing a bill that would deny state services to undocumented workers.
Opponents of illegal immigration hope the recent wave of legislation represents a change in the way the country deals with immigration, a transformation they had hoped for 12 years ago when California voters passed Proposition 187 to end benefits for undocumented workers. That initiative was overturned in the courts and the anticipated onslaught of immigration restrictions fizzled.
In California, the Legislature will consider, for the seventh time, a proposal to grant drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. It will also consider a bill to have the California National Guard come up with a plan to secure the border.
Those who have spent years crusading against illegal immigration are pleased with the stepped-up activity.
"People who have never been engaged in this issue are engaged this year," said Arizona state Rep. Russell Pearce. The Republican legislator has proposed installing, at state expense, a $50-million radar system along his state's border with Mexico to identify immigrants crossing the desert into the U.S.
Arizona's Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano, who in 2004 opposed a ballot initiative to cut off benefits to illegal immigrants in Arizona, last summer declared a state of emergency along her state's border, the busiest crossing for migrants. Last week she unveiled a $100-million proposal that includes posting National Guard troops along the border, toughening penalties for fraudulent identification papers and punishing businesses that employ illegal immigrants.
Though the legislative season is young and state representatives and senators are refining their proposals, certain trends have emerged. A few proposals are friendly to illegal immigrants, such as a Massachusetts bill to extend in-state college tuition to them. But most are crystallizing around three categories: denying benefits, allowing local police to arrest people for being in the country illegally, and increasing fines on employers who hire undocumented workers.
