Additional States Considering Arizona Style Laws
When SB1070 was introduced and subsequently passed in the state of Arizona, it resulted in a slate of criticism and debate around the country. In the ensuing months, a number of other states have not only expressed interest in modeling copycat laws after the controversial Arizona law, but have even taken steps to pass such legislation.

Texas Joins the Mix
In other states revolutionary new bills have been introduced that are not based on the Arizona bill. One such state is Texas where new legislation has been introduced in the Texas House that would make it a crime in Texas to hire workers without documentation. Workers who are employed in a single family household, such as lawn caretakers, housekeepers and nannies, would be excluded from the bill. The Texas bill is actually the first of its type in the United States. What is unique about the Texas bill is that it seeks to offer appeasement to those who would like to have stronger immigration laws while at the same time not limiting households in the state to a rule that would otherwise primarily apply to large employers. It remains to be seen what the outcome of the bill in Texas will be, but it is certainly indicative of the push around the country toward the implementation of stronger anti-immigration laws on a state level. In Texas there are currently more than 100 related bills pending. These bills include those that would provide local and state law enforcement with the authority necessary to enforce federal immigration laws. There is also a bill pending that would establish English as the official language. Legislation in the state would also prohibit undocumented students from obtaining in-state tuition as well as scholarships.

Additional Bills Introduced in Other States
Around the country numerous other states continue to debate various immigration bills, including Oklahoma and Georgia. In total, there are 37 states around the nation that are considering more stringent immigration bills. In some states there are several bills pending. Furthermore, various states have enacted an historic number of resolutions and bills regarding immigration related issues. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, every single state that met during a regular 2010 session actually considered laws that were related to immigration. 46 states as well as the District of Columbia actually passed a total of 208 laws while 138 resolutions were adopted. The momentum toward stronger immigration laws has been driven in large part by the increase in the number of Republicans in legislatures around the country. The subject of immigration became a strong part of campaigns for numerous GOP candidates, particularly in the Midwest and South. Opponents of such laws have stated that these lawmakers are being unfair in targeting immigrants when there should be a stronger focus on the country's economy. Republicans have countered back that they are simply responding to what they are hearing from the citizens in their states. Unnecessary expenditures and social conflict have been named as primary concerns in many states. Although efforts were made to establish what would have been a comprehensive immigration reform package, the effort ultimately failed in the prior Congress. At the current time, given the concerns regarding the economy, it does not appear likely that the new Congress will resume the issue. The federal government remains involved in a legal battle with Arizona regarding the infamous SB1070. Recently, Arizona introduced five more immigration bills, all of which were eventually voted down following concern by businesses in the state that profits were being impacted as a result of boycotts that were enacted following SB1070 being signed into law.