Amy Taylor

Why Localities Are Going Nuts Over Immigrants and Why Congress Should Act

Questions abound regarding how, when and even if the newly-elected Democratic Congress will address immigration reform. As we continue the waiting game that began last spring when Congress seemed to be focusing on the issue, many localities are taking matters into their own hands. Cities, towns and states across the country are attempting to pass local legislation to appease local voters who are focused on the issue.

Many localities are considering legislation that would prohibit government contracts to contractors hiring undocumented immigrants, prohibit landlords from renting to undocumented immigrants, and cut social services for undocumented immigrants. To date, over 50 local governments have proposed or passed bills that would target undocumented immigrants. Although only a few of them have actually passed, the movement in this direction is clear. In October, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of a typical example, passed in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, citing that its enforcement could cause "irreparable injury" to residents of the town. Whether these types of legislation will stand up to legal challenges on constitutional grounds remains to be seen, but their existence proves that local governments are ready to act and feel that the federal government has neglected to give proper attention to the issue.

This is just another reason that we must urge Congress to act soon on immigration reform, according to Deepak Bhargava. He suggests that although voters rejected the hard-lining anti-immigrant candidates in the November midterm elections, voter approval of a slew of anti-immigrant ballot initiatives shows dissatisfaction with federal reform on the issue of immigration. He predicts that unless Congress acts local and state initiatives will keep popping up around the country.

We need federal legislation to address the 12 million undocumented immigrants who live and work in this country -- not a series of local laws that force them out of their homes, out of work, and onto the street. The local attempts to address unease over a large undocumented population will never be successful in reforming a very broken system for a variety of reasons. First of all, local governments do not have the authority to reform immigration laws. The federal government must do this by taking a serious look at what brings most undocumented immigrants here -- the demand for labor-- and reconciling our economy's needs with our immigration laws. Pushing workers out of towns through a series of discriminatory measures will not reform the system as a whole and could have very serious negative effects on local economies who rely on immigrant workers.

Immigration issues were not included in the Democratic majority's list of short-term priorities and much of the pre-election focus on the issue has died down. But localities are busy focusing on this issue because many feel they are "footing the bill" for immigration in their communities. While this notion can easily be refuted by data showing that immigrants are actually a net benefit to the economy, many local governments are still concerned.

It is the job of the federal government to control immigration laws. Congress must act soon, before we have a patchwork of local laws that discriminate against people's rights to rent homes, get jobs and receive vital services.

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Posted at 9:00 AM, Dec 06, 2006 in Immigration
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