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With the collapse of comprehensive immigration reform, much of the
immigration debate has shifted to the state and local level. Increasingly,
states and localities have enacted anti-immigrant measures, many of
which are far reaching, and penalize not only the undocumented, but their
families, business owners, and others who interact with them.
The information contained on this page is for general informational
purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal advice and does not
substitute for legal counsel.
Analysis of Oklahoma's Anti-Immigrant Legislation (pdf)
November, 2007
This article summarizes and provides a legal analysis of the provisions of the
Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act.
Summary of common types of anti-immigrant measures. (pdf)
September, 2007
Can anti-immigrant ordinances/legislation withstand constitutional
scrutiny? (pdf)
October, 2007
This document outlines the constitutional arguments related to federal preemption,
due process, and equal protection raised by anti-immigrant measures.
Hazelton Decision: Federal Judge Strikes Down Anti-Immigrant
Ordinances in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. (pdf)
September, 2007
This article describes Judge James M. Munley's ruling in a lawsuit challenging the
Hazleton ordinances.
A number of groups are involved in tracking and
combating anti-immigrant measures. These include the
following:
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) which coordinates a state and local
immigration initiative listserv. NCLR also hosts periodic teleconferences for
individuals who are engaged in state/local initiative-based advocacy. Information
regarding the teleconference is announced via the listserv.
To join the listserv:
Send an email to Flavia Jimenez at fjimenez@nclr.org or Rosanna Tapia at
rtapia@nclr.org. Provide a short description of your organization, the reasons
why you want to join the listserv and your complete contact information.
In addition, the NCLR listserv members can join a materials sharing website
hosted by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). This on-line
community,“Immigration: State and Local Policy Network,” contains excellent
resources for advocates. Membership in the on-line community is by invitation
only. At the end of each week, a document summarizing all recently proposed
local/state legislation is posted to the site.
The Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) publishes a weekly action bulletin
that provides resources and information to immigrants' rights advocates across
the country. The bulletin includes links to relevant actions and campaigns at the
state and local level, especially those regarding anti-immigrant ordinances.
To receive the bulletin:
Send an email to Nicola Wells at nwells@communitychange.org. Ms. Wells
coordinates FIRM’s advocacy on anti/pro immigrant legislation and ordinances.
immigration debate has shifted to the state and local level. Increasingly,
states and localities have enacted anti-immigrant measures, many of
which are far reaching, and penalize not only the undocumented, but their
families, business owners, and others who interact with them.
The information contained on this page is for general informational
purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal advice and does not
substitute for legal counsel.
Analysis of Oklahoma's Anti-Immigrant Legislation (pdf)
November, 2007
This article summarizes and provides a legal analysis of the provisions of the
Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act.
Summary of common types of anti-immigrant measures. (pdf)
September, 2007
Can anti-immigrant ordinances/legislation withstand constitutional
scrutiny? (pdf)
October, 2007
This document outlines the constitutional arguments related to federal preemption,
due process, and equal protection raised by anti-immigrant measures.
Hazelton Decision: Federal Judge Strikes Down Anti-Immigrant
Ordinances in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. (pdf)
September, 2007
This article describes Judge James M. Munley's ruling in a lawsuit challenging the
Hazleton ordinances.
A number of groups are involved in tracking and
combating anti-immigrant measures. These include the
following:
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) which coordinates a state and local
immigration initiative listserv. NCLR also hosts periodic teleconferences for
individuals who are engaged in state/local initiative-based advocacy. Information
regarding the teleconference is announced via the listserv.
To join the listserv:
Send an email to Flavia Jimenez at fjimenez@nclr.org or Rosanna Tapia at
rtapia@nclr.org. Provide a short description of your organization, the reasons
why you want to join the listserv and your complete contact information.
In addition, the NCLR listserv members can join a materials sharing website
hosted by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). This on-line
community,“Immigration: State and Local Policy Network,” contains excellent
resources for advocates. Membership in the on-line community is by invitation
only. At the end of each week, a document summarizing all recently proposed
local/state legislation is posted to the site.
The Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) publishes a weekly action bulletin
that provides resources and information to immigrants' rights advocates across
the country. The bulletin includes links to relevant actions and campaigns at the
state and local level, especially those regarding anti-immigrant ordinances.
To receive the bulletin:
Send an email to Nicola Wells at nwells@communitychange.org. Ms. Wells
coordinates FIRM’s advocacy on anti/pro immigrant legislation and ordinances.
415 Michigan Ave., NE
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
STATE & LOCAL ANTI-IMMIGRANT
INITIATIVES
INITIATIVES
Databases/Lists of Ordinances/Legislation:
Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) which maintains a database of local
immigration ordinances and their status. See http://www.fairimmigration.org.
FIRM also has a tool-kit for combating anti-immigrant ordinances. See http://www.
fairimmigration.org/toolkit.
FIRM also maintains a local ordinance tracking chart. See http://www.
fairimmigration.org/learn/immigration-reform-and-immigrants/local-level/
The National Conference of State Legislatures tracks state legislation related to
immigration. Visit http://www.ncsl.org/programs/immig/ and
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/immig/2007Immigration831.htm.
Litigation:
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). For updates on local ordinance litigation
brought by the ACLU, visit http://www.aclu.org/immigrants/discrim/index.html
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) has joined
the ACLU in a lawsuit challenging an anti-immigrant ordinance. See http://www.
maldef.org/index.cfm for more information.
The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF) is also involved in
local ordinance litigation. See http://www.prldef.org/Index.htm for more information.
General Resources:
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) lists a number of resources about state and local
issues on its website. See http://www.migrationinformation.org/integration/regulation.
cfm.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has compiled a list of the
many tools created by immigrant advocacy organizations to assist in local/state
advocacy initiatives. See http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=23558.
Driver’s License Issues:
The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) tracks Driver’s License issues. Visit http:
//www.nilc.org/immspbs/DLs/index.htm.
It includes an overview of States’ driver’s license requirements available at
http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/DLs/state_dl_rqrmts_ovrvw_2007-11-1.pdf,
and a chart of 2007 REAL ID legislation at
http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/DLs/state_real_id_proposals_2007-04-23.pdf.
Public Benefits Issues:
NILC also tracks several benefits-related issues. Visit http://www.nilc.
org/immspbs/index.htm.
Employment Resources:
The National Employment Law Center (NELP) has published a guide on
employment-related anti-immigrant measures at the state level. The guide, entitled,
“More Harm than Good: Responding to States Misguided Efforts to Regulate
Immigration,” is available at
http://www.nelp.org/docUploads/More%20Harm%20than%20Good%20update%
20082907%2Epdf.
Local Law Enforcement Issues:
The National Immigration Forum has several resources pertaining to the
enforcement of immigration laws by state and local police. See http://www.
immigrationforum.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=567
The National Council of La Raza has a toolkit that provides resources to help oppose
attempts to deputize state and local police to enforce federal immigration laws. It is
available at http://www.nclr.org/content/resources/detail/41508/
If your organization has produced helpful materials that are not listed on
this page, please contact hharnett@cliniclegal.org. In addition, please let
CLINIC know if you would like to receive training or further information on
the issues covered on this web page.
this page, please contact hharnett@cliniclegal.org. In addition, please let
CLINIC know if you would like to receive training or further information on
the issues covered on this web page.
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