Washington Post
NEW YORK - In New York, state officials are about to offer driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and alreadyhave extended limited medical coverage to those battling cancer. InIllinois, the state legislature just passed a law forbidding businessesthere from using a federal database to check the legal status ofemployees.

Oklahoma, meanwhile, recently passed some of the toughest immigration laws in the nation, including one making it a felony to "transport" or "harbor" an illegal immigrant -- leading some to fear that people such as school bus drivers and church pastors maybe at risk of doing time. Tennessee's legislature this year revokedlaws granting illegal immigrants "driving certificates" and voted to allow law enforcement officers to effectively act as state immigration police.

As the Bush administration and Congress sitgridlocked on an immigration overhaul, states are jumping into thedebate as never before. In the process, they are creating a nationalpatchwork of incongruous immigration laws that some observers fear willmake it far more difficult to enact any comprehensive, federallymandated bill down the line.

A growing problem

Thevolume of state immigration bills has skyrocketed this year. No fewerthan 1,404 pieces of immigration-related legislation were introduced inlegislatures during the first half of 2007, with 182 bills becoming lawin 43 states. That is more than double the number of immigration-related state laws enacted during all of 2006, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Some observers are alarmed by the trend, calling the wildly divergent laws further evidence of America's cultural divide and saying they could pose new hurdles in reaching a national consensus on immigration.Piecemeal policymaking is opening the door to a flurry of legal battles-- the Department of Homeland Security, for instance, is suing Illinois for banning businesses there from confirming an employee's legal status through the federal E-Verify database, which state officials have called flawed and unreliable.

States step in

Others argue that the inability to reach a national solution has left states no choice. Governors are grappling with cities and towns that, in the absence of a national or state policy, have taken it upon themselves to pass local immigration laws either protecting or cracking down on illegal immigrants. This has occasionally lead to radically different regulations within individual states.

Still others assert that the rush of state activism has created an unforeseen opportunity.By viewing states as laboratories and studying the successes and failures of their various policies, Americans may find useful information, even a road map, for developing a national strategy.

Perhaps the most compelling current example is Oklahoma, where a package of tough new laws will not only make it a crime to transport or harbor illegal immigrants, but will also strip such immigrants of any right to receive most health care, welfare, scholarships or other government assistance; penalize employers who hire illegal workers; and force businesses to verify the legal status of new hires.

That"comports with my philosophy that illegal aliens will not come to Oklahoma or any other state if there are no jobs waiting for them,"said Randy Terrill, a Republican state legislator and the author of the bill. "They will not stay here if they know they will get no taxpayer subsidy, and they will not stay here if they know if they ever come into contact with one of our fine law enforcement officers, they will stay in custody until they are physically deported."

Hispanic business groups, citing school enrollment losses and church parish figures, say the laws, which start going into effect later this year,have caused as many as 25,000 undocumented workers to flee the state in recent months. The loss is being decried by the Oklahoma State HomeBuilders Association.

"In major metro areas we are seeing people leave based on the perception that things are going to get bad for them and that this state doesn't want them here," said Mike Means,executive vice president of the association. "Now we're looking at a labor shortage. I've got builders who are being forced to slow down jobs because they don't have the crews. And it's not like these people are going back to Mexico. They're going to Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Arkansas, anywhere where the laws aren't against them."

Crisis in construction

Means said that while construction wages have not yet gone up in Oklahoma,they are likely to do so if the shortage worsens. Advocates of such laws say that is precisely how strict regulations on illegal immigration can help American workers -- by forcing wages higher. But construction industry leaders counter that a wage increase in Oklahoma,where builders are already paying $15 to $20 an hour for labor in a state with low unemployment, would lead to a net loss of jobs as some businesses are forced to close, particularly if other states allow less stringent hiring practices.

"This is what happens when you don't have a national policy," Means said. "If I'm an Oklahoma builder on the border with Texas, you're going to face unfair competition because they don't have the laws we do. This needs to be standardized."

this why the american youth won't enter the trades. Because of the low wages that the illegals work for.

They piecework the simple tasks and undercut everybody, as their willful choice.

lose them and American jobs for American workers are increased.

oh, by the way... I piecework too and make between 50-150 / hr. Doubt it? Hide and watch... I ain't tellin' how!!!!

That is why I sent a copy of this to the Govenors office. We need an Immigration law similar to that of Oklahoma.

Just with Oklahoma's passing and enforcing, my own business is gaining momentum. And I'm way over here in West Texas.

I believe Ga was the first and the strictest spur. You should check them out! The laws took effect July 1, 2007! They are pretty strict!

I was talking to a deputy today about the INS training school they are sending our sheriffs deputys to. He seemed to think that while it was good that the state laws will still restrict them to crimes only. Traffic violations will be enough to deport them when they are found to be illegal, but that the state laws were still tying their hands!

Im working on it, I have been for years and with every other state that adjust their laws I am finding more cooperation.

I just want to prevent blood shed. Many of my friends and family are talking about doing the job them selfs, and I know this will not be pretty if it comes to that!

It is so bad here that even the State DOT hires them. Those used to be good jobs with good benefits! Not anymore, $7 bucks an hr and 0 benefits! A friend of mine was *****ing the other day. He went to apply for a job where the are refurbishing a historic courthouse building in Hendersonville and they asked if he could speak spanish. When he said no they told him they couldn't use him.

They said they needed people with experience, that the Mexicans didnt have but that they needed to speak Spanish! He was livid and I dont blame him. 1st its a gov contract (hiring illegals for nothing) and then this is America. Whats up with that???

Two things I always follow. Dont take food off my plate without asking, and dont mess with my money. Both could get you killed!!

amen to that Fanta!!

Well im a legal immigrant and believe that the illegals should be made to py just like i had to
if i didnt follow the rules and pay the appropiate fees i would not be allowed to stay here and could not work yet the illegals get away with it
as far as my opinion goes the illegals should be deported an done for breaking the law when they get caught
also the government should make it tougher for them and then at least that way there ould be jobs at reasonable pay for the american people that the government dont care about

HERE HERE!!!!!!! Jeff:

Who said women you see what kind of men these are?

I was coming home from school the other day and these women were fixing to beat up an illegal woman. They are worse than us!



I had to defend the mexican girl. These women, (Americans) were mad because she the Mexican girl wasnt watching her child and when he fell down, she went over and jerked the kid up, (3 yrs old) so hard he started screaming and then she started smacking him up side the head!

The Mexican woman had 4 kids with her and I guess they were stressing her out!!

The things those women said to her!!

Here here Jeff!!!

There have been quite a few concerns posed with all these 'state'laws. There is another concern as well. All those states that will REQUIRE that perspective employees be verified with a database to determine their work eligibility.

Most of those databases are not up to day, and can't possibly be maintained fast enough. That means that many 'legal' Americans will be turned away.

Not to mention that those illegals who are desperate enough could resort to identity theft, and land jobs that legal citizens may have been turned down for because they were not found in the database.

It's a terrible mess.

Another thing I happen to think about, all those people who are issues drivers license or permits - what about insurance?

Several years ago my car was hit - a car ran through a 4-way stop sign - got me in the side - then tried to take off. His car didn't get too far, fortunately no one was hurt and when the cops got there - the driver didn't speak english, had no id on him. Later that night the police called me - an illegal, no insurance. The law says I HAVE TO HAVE COVERAGE, so I do. But what - I wonder, would have happened if I had been at fault and the guy ended up in the hospital. Would my insurance have to pay - even though he didn't have any?

I think they need ID - but no drivers license, not unless they can pass a driving test (in english) like everyone else.

Oh and another thing - I've been looking for a full time job for a quite a while. More and More I see the jobs that I could apply for with additional wording (multi-lingual). One H/R person said they were told to advertise in that manner, instead of bi-lingual or spanish speaking. Why - legalities, to post for bi-lingual or spanish is too limiting and could be seen as discriminatory? HAHAHA - That's partially true, but the real reason is to try to draw our attention AWAY from the fact that people who speak only English are loosing middle income jobs to cater those who will not learn English.

WASN'T THERE A LAW AT SOME POINT THAT REQUIRED ALIENS TO HAVE SPONSORS?

Not to mention that those illegals who are desperate enough could resort to identity theft!!

Uhhhhhhh,,, news alert, they already do!!!

Most of those databases are not up to day, and can't possibly be maintained fast enough.

Wrong, those data bases are being blocked from use by the ACLU and La Raza's lawsuits. Another instance of the Feds not acting properly, but making excuses instead!!

Did you not read the story in the National news about the Milwaukee Police Officer that was deported when it was discovered he was an illegal using false ID.

Have you not read the many stories about illegals stealing and selling ID's to their homeboy's!

I agree Fanta.

I don't know much
about La Raza,
but I think
the immigration
problem has gotten
way out of hand.

I think most of the
problem is employers
who hire them.

They choose not
to check their credentials
and most of them either
know or suspect they're
illegals.