A new report finds states introduced and approved fewer bills dealing with illegal immigration during the first quarter of this year than last. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Mark Brodie reports.
MARK BRODIE: The National Conference of State Legislatures says there was a 44 percent drop in the number of bills and resolutions introduced during that time period. Of the 865 measures brought up in 45 states and the District of Columbia, 90 had been enacted as of the end of March. That’s 30 fewer than last year. Most of the bills that have been introduced deal with law enforcement, employment and public benefits. Many of the employment-related bills would require companies to use E-Verify, and penalize those that hire illegal immigrants. In addition, five states have taken up omnibus bills with provisions similar to Arizona’s SB 1070: Rhode Island, Kansas, Missouri, West Virginia and Mississippi.