Number of state-level immigration laws is growing

The new legislation covers a variety of issues, including employment, education and healthcare, she said.

Oklahoma enacted measures to restrict employment.

Oregon passed a law barring nonlawyers from providing immigration counseling services.

In California, a recently approved measure extends benefits -- including housing and income support -- to immigrant workers.

"No one can pretend that any of this is a solution," said Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, an advocacy group for immigrant rights.

He said the blame rested on Republicans in the Senate who recently voted against the proposed federal immigration package.

The defeat of the federal immigration bill, Sharry said, has led to "a patchwork of ineffective" measures by states and communities.

Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors restrictions on immigration, said the states were being forced to act because the added costs of services for illegal immigrants fell on them, yet the federal government collected most of the taxes from illegal workers.

"There is a natural inclination for the states to try to protect themselves," he said.

Krikorian, like others following the immigration debate, said that the measures at the state, county and city levels went in both directions: Some tightened or reinforced federal restrictions, whereas others provided benefits and protection to the immigrant population.

"But my sense is that the trend right now is toward more restrictions," Krikorian said.

wally.roche@latimes.com