States take action on immigration bills

(AP) – State legislatures across the nation are taking up immigration laws, and many proposals were introduced or signed in conjunction with May Day immigrants’ rights rallies. The changes create a state-by-state patchwork, but the overall effect has emboldened activists who want more freedoms for the 11 million people in the U.S. without legal permission.

_ Alabama: In March, officials said the state would allow young immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver’s licenses under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

_ Arkansas: A proposal that would have allowed state colleges and universities to extend in-state tuition rates to some immigrants who came to the country as children illegally failed to pass this session.

_ Arizona: A proposal by minority Democrats to force the state to issue driver’s licenses to young immigrants who have gotten work permits under the deferred action program failed to pass the House.

Arizona’s governor issued an executive order barring the state from issuing licenses to those who qualify for the federal program. Immigrants’ rights groups have sued in federal court to get the order overturned.

_ California: A pending measure would allow driver’s licenses to be issued to immigrants living in the state illegally if they can prove they pay taxes.

A new state law went into effect in January allowing those who came to the U.S. as children and are a part of the federal deferred action program to obtain driver’s licenses.

_ Colorado: In April, lawmakers repealed a strict immigration policy passed in 2006 that requires sheriffs and police to notify federal authorities when they arrest someone suspected of living illegally in the U.S. Colorado was the first state to pass such a law, and it is the first state to repeal it.

The state enacted a law in April allowing students who graduated from Colorado high schools, but who don’t have legal status in the U.S., to be eligible for in-state tuition.

Colorado Democrats are pushing a proposal that would allow driver’s licenses for immigrants in the country illegally. The bill passed the Senate, and is making its way through the House.

_ Connecticut: Lawmakers introduced a proposal to allow immigrants who are in the country illegally to obtain driver’s licenses. The governor and other key lawmakers have endorsed the legislation.

_ Florida: Lawmakers are considering a bill that would offer in-state tuition rates to the children of immigrants in the country without permission. The House passed the bill, but it’s stalled in the Senate. Similar legislative efforts failed in 2005 and 2012.

_ Georgia: Legislators approved a measure to expand a strict immigration law, adding driver’s licenses, public housing and retirement benefits to a list of public benefits that people in the country illegally are not eligible for.

_ Illinois: In January, Illinois became the fourth state to grant driver’s licenses to immigrants living in the country without proof of documentation. It joined Washington state, New Mexico and Utah in issuing driver’s licenses or restricted permits to people living in the country illegally.

_ Iowa: In January, Iowa officials reversed a decision not to issue driver licenses to young immigrants allowed to remain in the county under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

_ Kansas: Lawmakers failed to pass a measure that would have repealed in-state tuition for students living in the state without legal residency.

_ Maryland: In March, Maryland became the fifth state to pass a bill that would allow some applicants to obtain a driver’s license without proof of lawful immigration status.

_ Massachusetts: A Massachusetts lawmaker, backed by immigrants’ rights groups, introduced a bill that would allow state residents to apply for a driver’s license regardless of their immigration status.

_ Minnesota: The state Senate passed a bill on May Day that would extend resident tuition rates and financial aid to young immigrants in Minnesota illegally. The governor supports the bill, which now heads to the House.

Minnesota lawmakers are also considering a bill that would let immigrants living in the state illegally obtain a state driver’s license.

_ Michigan: Minority Democrats introduced legislation to allow young Michigan immigrants who have temporary legal presence under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program receive in-state tuition.

In February, state officials decided to issue Michigan driver’s licenses and state IDs to immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, reversing the state’s initial policy.

_ Missouri: Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require employers to use a federal system for checking potential employees’ legal resident status.

_ Nebraska: Legislators stopped a bill that would have repealed state-funded prenatal care for the unborn children of immigrants living in the state illegally.

_ New Mexico: For a third straight year, Democratic lawmakers blocked the governor’s efforts to stop issuing driver’s licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.

_ New York: Lawmakers have proposed a DREAM Act measure that would provide state financial aid and other assistance to students living in the country illegally.

_ Nevada: Lawmakers introduced a bill that would allow people in the U.S. illegally to obtain a driver’s license.

_ North Carolina: A package bill that would grant driving privileges to people in the country illegally, as well as authorize Arizona-style detainment measures passed its first legislative hurdle on May Day.

_ Ohio: State lawmakers introduced a proposal that would let students enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program obtain driver’s licenses. Since the measures were introduced, the Ohio officials decided to allow young immigrants enrolled in the program to be eligible for driver’s licenses.

_ Oregon: At a May Day rally, the governor signed into law a bill allowing immigrants living in the state illegally to obtain four-year driver’s licenses.

In April, the governor signed into law a proposal allowing students who graduated from the state’s high schools but who don’t have legal status in the U.S. to be eligible for in-state tuition.

_ Texas: Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow immigrants living in the country illegally to obtain driver’s license.

_ Vermont: A bill that would allow foreign workers, many of whom are on rural farms, to get restricted driver’s licenses passed the Senate and is being considered in the House.

_ Washington state: Lawmakers have proposed a measure to make young immigrants living in the country without legal permission eligible for college financial aid. The bill passed the House but is stalled in the Senate.

Also:

_ Puerto Rico: In March, Puerto Rico’s governor endorsed a proposal to let immigrants living in the U.S. territory illegally apply for provisional driver’s licenses.

_ Washington D.C.: On May Day, the mayor announced that he plans to introduce legislation to allow people living in the country illegally to get driver’s licenses in the nation’s capital.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Follow @KTAR923