Immigration summation.

• Author: Morse, Ann
• Position: STATESTATS

Lacking congressional consensus on a national immigration policy, lawmakers in 45 states and the District of Columbia enacted 184 laws and 253 resolutions related to immigration in 2013. This is an increase of 64 percent from 2012. Legislation increased last year in response to both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's decision not to deport young, unauthorized immigrants who grew up here and the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that struck down parts of an Arizona law that required immigrants to carry documentation and allowed police officers to arrest anyone suspected of being here illegally, among other things.

State lawmakers focused much of their attention last year on licenses and other kinds of identification, enacting 35 laws in 21 states on a range of topics, including eligibility and documentation for identification cards and driver's licenses, and requirements for firearm, hunting and recreational permits. Eight states extended the right to earn a driver's license to certain unauthorized immigrants.

In other areas[degrees] four states expanded in-state tuition to unauthorized immigrants. States also authorized funding for immigration enforcement efforts, employment services, English language and citizenship classes, and migrant and refugee programs. Resolutions also spiked in 2013, with most either commending the contributions of immigrants or urging the federal government--once again to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Not only have the number of...