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The daily drumbeat of inflammatory rhetoric on cable television and talk radio has fed the public's frustration with both our broken immigration system and federal failure to repair it. Immigration policy has been transformed from an inside-the-beltway debate into a political flashpoint jolting state houses and town halls across the country.
State and local legislators feeling heat from angry constituents have introduced a dizzying array of bills and ordinances. At their best, these measures are a legitimate expression of local frustration targeting specific policy concerns resulting from an influx of migrants; at worst, they are cheap political haymakers that divide communities and wreak havoc on local economies.
Restricting immigrants' access to public benefits and services
Mandating verification of employment eligibility
Restricting congregations of day laborers
Establishing "English-only" policies
Imposing restrictive housing policies
Requiring state and local police to serve as immigration agents
Restricting immigrants' access to driver's licenses
Each of the seven sections contains (1) a background summary distilling the central arguments, problems, and state of play; (2) a factual rebuttal of the most commonly propounded myths; (3) a synthesis of current legislative activity around the country; (4) a description of relevant litigation; and (5) a broad compilation of additional resources from individuals and organizations with issue expertise.
Downloading and Using the Electronic Resource Guide
Navigating the Immigration Debate-A Guide for State & Local Policymakers and Advocates is intended to serve as a launching point for individuals concerned about immigration-related policy developments at the state and local level. It was designed as an electronic resource to give readers the freedom to explore the issue beyond the physical confines of this guide.
Readers can use hyperlinks throughout the text to connect readers directly to a wide array of immigrant advocacy websites and copies of their resources. We hope these links encourage readers to tap into the expertise of a growing network of national and local organizations committed to sustainable immigration solutions as well as provide a clear roadmap of how to do so.
You can download a copy of AILA's electronic resource guide, Navigating the Immigration Debate-A Guide for State & Local Policymakers and Advocates, at the following link: www.aila.org/stateguide
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