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8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 124
The State of Immigration Reform
By Kristen Ellingboe and Anna Perina December 2015
WWWAMERICANPROGRESSACTIONO
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 224
The State ofImmigration Reform
By Kristen Ellingboe and Anna Perina December 2015
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 324
1 Introduction and summary
2 Problems caused by a lack of immigration reform
2 Separating families
3 Depriving the nation of economic gains
5 Overview of the conservative response
5 Obstructing progress
6 Pursuing restrictionist policies
9 Progressive solutions for immigration reform
9 Federal solutions
13 State progress
16 Conclusion
17 About the authors and acknowledgments
18 Endnotes
Contents
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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1 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Introduction and summary
I is no secre ha he racial and ehnic makeup o he American elecorae is
changing rapidly By he 2016 elecion communiies o color will make up 32
percen o all eligible voers in he Unied Saes1 Tis increasingly rapid demo-
graphic change means poliicians a every level o governmen mus address wih
public policy he challenges and opporuniies acing all Americans
One o hese challenges is he need or comprehensive immigraion reorm Te
majoriy o Americans99125269 percen991252hink unauhorized immigrans who areliving in he Unied Saes should be allowed o say in he counry according o
a recen CBS News and New York Times poll2 Ye congressional lawmakers have
ailed o move orward on comprehensive immigraion reorm Te ailure o law-
makers o prioriize a long-erm soluion o he challenges acing he US immi-
graion sysem means ha more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans are
orced o say on he economic sidelines while amilies coninue o be separaed3
Insead o providing a sensible soluion ha would give unauhorized immigrans
legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship991252he progressive approach o immi-
graion reorm which would boos he economy991252he conservaive response
requenly demonizes and atemps o criminalize immigrans all while predomi-
nanly opposing any posiive acion alogeher4
Tis repor deails he curren sae o immigraion reorm by laying ou he prob-
lems acing he unauhorized immigran communiy oulining he conservaive
response o he immigraion sysem reviewing progressive soluions or reorm
and providing a sae-by-sae breakdown o he economic impac o comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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2 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Problems caused by
a lack of immigration reform
Te ailure o address he challenges o he immigraion sysem has ar-reaching
consequences991252no only or immigran communiies bu also or he naion
overall Overzealous immigraion enorcemen and hard-line deporaion srae-
gies are earing amilies apar affecing American ciizens and legal migrans alike
Furhermore wihou comprehensive immigraion reorm millions o unauhor-
ized workers are no able o ully paricipae in he economy huring hose work-
ers and heir amilies as well as he economy as a whole
Separating families
One o he mos immediae consequences o he curren immigraion sysem is he
separaion o immigran amilies Hardline immigraion enorcemen and depor-
aion policies are breaking up millions o amilies and counless communiies
leaving amilies sruggling and immigran communiies living in a culure o ear 5
When amilies are divided many parens are orced o become single parens and
sruggle o make ends mee6 In even worse scenarios US-born children o unau-
horized parens may be orced ino oser care when heir parens are depored7 In
addiion o physically separaing amilies hese enorcemen and deporaion poli-
cies creae a culure o ear o amily separaions among immigran communiies
which hurs police-communiy relaionships and erodes rus8
Over he pas decade aggressive deporaion sraegies have resuled in he
removal and reurn o more han 3 million immigrans9 While he number o
deporaions has been dropping seadily over he pas ew years nearly 316000
immigrans were depored in fiscal year 2014 alone10 And currenly 166 mil-
lion people live in mixed-saus amilies991252amilies wih a leas one unauhorizedimmigran991252and one-hird o all US children o immigrans live in hese ami-
lies11 Addiionally according o a 2013 esimae unauhorized immigran aduls
have been in he Unied Saes or a median ime o almos 13 years Ta means a
leas hal o he enire unauhorized populaion has spen a leas ha long becom-
ing involved in heir communiies and in he US economy as a whole12
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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3 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Having ciizen children or even being he primary breadwinner or ciizen chil-
dren however does no ensure proecion rom deporaion As o November
2014 43 million people were waiing or amily-based visas in he Unied Saes13
And according o Colorlines 204810 parens o US children were removed rom
he counry beween July 1 2010 and Sepember 31 201214 Te removal o
hose parens accouned or nearly 23 percen o all individuals depored duringha period ha esimae is likely low as many parens are relucan o admi hey
have children in he counry15 Family separaions creae sress and anxiey among
immigran communiies which akes a oll on he enire counry
Depriving the nation of economic gains
Te ailure o implemen comprehensive immigraion reorm also deprives he
naion o a needed economic boos Te millions o unauhorized immigrans
who are currenly living and working in he Unied Saes are already paricipaingin he naionrsquos economy Bu he vas majoriy o unauhorized workers are no
able o paricipae ully in he economic sysem A comprehensive immigraion
reorm plan ha would allow everyone o work on an even playing field would
also increase ax revenue and lead o higher wages or all workers Tis would lead
o beter jobs and increased spending hroughou he enire economy
Unauhorized immigrans are already conribuing o he economy by working
and paying axes bu comprehensive immigraion reorm would allow hem o
increase heir conribuion o he US economy16 In 2012 he mos recen year
or which daa are available unauhorized immigrans paid an esimaed $1184
billion in sae propery and sales axes which und schools police and fire sa-
ions roads and oher public services17 Reorming he immigraion sysem would
only increase hese conribuions By allowing unauhorized immigrans o earn
legal saus heir bargaining power would increase and hey would become beter
equipped o cones an unlawul erminaion o employmen negoiae or air
compensaion and file a complain i hey believe hey are being misreaed or
abused18 Tese worker proecions would lead o higher wages or boh immi-
grans and nonimmigrans which would benefi all workers who are oherwise a
risk o being undercu Te proecions would spread hroughou he enire econ-omy increasing ax revenue expanding he naionrsquos gross domesic produc or
GDP and creaing jobs19 According o a 2013 analysis by he Cener or American
Progress providing a pahway o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans would
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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4 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
resul in an addiional $109 billion in axes paid over 10 years20 A more recen
analysis also ound ha creaing a pahway o ciizenship would increase US GDP
by $12 rillion over 10 years increasing he cumulaive income o Americans by
$625 billion21
Similarly under he curren sysem millions o unauhorized workers are alreadypaying ino Social Securiy and Medicare supporing he aging US populaion
wihou reaping he benefis And jus as comprehensive immigraion reorm
would benefi he enire economy i also would lead o huge gains o Social
Securiy and Medicare helping suppor he solvency o boh programs22
Simply pu he ailure o reorm he immigraion sysem is leaving money on he
able Allowing immigrans o work on an even playing field would allow hem o
conribue even more o he economy han hey are already
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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5 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Overview of the
conservative response
Despie he negaive consequences o inacion on immigraion reorm polii-
cal leaders have ailed o advance sensible soluions or he naionrsquos immigraion
sysem A he ederal level congressional leaders have obsruced atemps o pass
long-erm comprehensive immigraion reorm insead considering only piece-
meal ani-immigran bills23 Meanwhile a he sae level conservaive lawmakers
have proposed measures o demonize local immigran communiies and obsruc
he implemenaion o posiive immigraion reorms24
Obstructing progress
In June 2013 he Senae passed a broadly suppored biparisan comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm bill he Border Securiy Economic Opporuniy and
Immigraion Modernizaion Ac or S 74425 Te bill sough o modernize and
reorm he American immigraion sysem by updaing he legal visa sysem mak-
ing he larges invesmens in border securiy o dae and providing a pahway
o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans Bu despie he Senaersquos success he
House o Represenaives ailed o consider his hisoric bill or any oher immigra-
ion reorm plan26
Since hen he progress or passing comprehensive immigraion reorm has
salled indefiniely New House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) recenly said in a series
o inerviews ha he would no work wih he Obama adminisraion on immigra-
ion policy ldquoLook I hink i would be a ridiculous noion o ry and work on an
issue like his wih a presiden we simply canno rus on his issuerdquo he said in an
inerview wih CBSrsquos ldquoFace he Naionrdquo27 He also signed a leter promising mem-
bers o his pary ha he would no bring immigraion legislaion o he Housefloor during his congressional session28
Since ormer Rep John Boehner (R-OH) ook over as House Speaker in 2011 he
immigraion debae in Congress has cenered on piecemeal legislaion in he orm
o enorcemen-only bills and atemps o sall he presidenrsquos execuive acions29
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 224
The State ofImmigration Reform
By Kristen Ellingboe and Anna Perina December 2015
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 324
1 Introduction and summary
2 Problems caused by a lack of immigration reform
2 Separating families
3 Depriving the nation of economic gains
5 Overview of the conservative response
5 Obstructing progress
6 Pursuing restrictionist policies
9 Progressive solutions for immigration reform
9 Federal solutions
13 State progress
16 Conclusion
17 About the authors and acknowledgments
18 Endnotes
Contents
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 424
1 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Introduction and summary
I is no secre ha he racial and ehnic makeup o he American elecorae is
changing rapidly By he 2016 elecion communiies o color will make up 32
percen o all eligible voers in he Unied Saes1 Tis increasingly rapid demo-
graphic change means poliicians a every level o governmen mus address wih
public policy he challenges and opporuniies acing all Americans
One o hese challenges is he need or comprehensive immigraion reorm Te
majoriy o Americans99125269 percen991252hink unauhorized immigrans who areliving in he Unied Saes should be allowed o say in he counry according o
a recen CBS News and New York Times poll2 Ye congressional lawmakers have
ailed o move orward on comprehensive immigraion reorm Te ailure o law-
makers o prioriize a long-erm soluion o he challenges acing he US immi-
graion sysem means ha more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans are
orced o say on he economic sidelines while amilies coninue o be separaed3
Insead o providing a sensible soluion ha would give unauhorized immigrans
legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship991252he progressive approach o immi-
graion reorm which would boos he economy991252he conservaive response
requenly demonizes and atemps o criminalize immigrans all while predomi-
nanly opposing any posiive acion alogeher4
Tis repor deails he curren sae o immigraion reorm by laying ou he prob-
lems acing he unauhorized immigran communiy oulining he conservaive
response o he immigraion sysem reviewing progressive soluions or reorm
and providing a sae-by-sae breakdown o he economic impac o comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 524
2 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Problems caused by
a lack of immigration reform
Te ailure o address he challenges o he immigraion sysem has ar-reaching
consequences991252no only or immigran communiies bu also or he naion
overall Overzealous immigraion enorcemen and hard-line deporaion srae-
gies are earing amilies apar affecing American ciizens and legal migrans alike
Furhermore wihou comprehensive immigraion reorm millions o unauhor-
ized workers are no able o ully paricipae in he economy huring hose work-
ers and heir amilies as well as he economy as a whole
Separating families
One o he mos immediae consequences o he curren immigraion sysem is he
separaion o immigran amilies Hardline immigraion enorcemen and depor-
aion policies are breaking up millions o amilies and counless communiies
leaving amilies sruggling and immigran communiies living in a culure o ear 5
When amilies are divided many parens are orced o become single parens and
sruggle o make ends mee6 In even worse scenarios US-born children o unau-
horized parens may be orced ino oser care when heir parens are depored7 In
addiion o physically separaing amilies hese enorcemen and deporaion poli-
cies creae a culure o ear o amily separaions among immigran communiies
which hurs police-communiy relaionships and erodes rus8
Over he pas decade aggressive deporaion sraegies have resuled in he
removal and reurn o more han 3 million immigrans9 While he number o
deporaions has been dropping seadily over he pas ew years nearly 316000
immigrans were depored in fiscal year 2014 alone10 And currenly 166 mil-
lion people live in mixed-saus amilies991252amilies wih a leas one unauhorizedimmigran991252and one-hird o all US children o immigrans live in hese ami-
lies11 Addiionally according o a 2013 esimae unauhorized immigran aduls
have been in he Unied Saes or a median ime o almos 13 years Ta means a
leas hal o he enire unauhorized populaion has spen a leas ha long becom-
ing involved in heir communiies and in he US economy as a whole12
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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3 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Having ciizen children or even being he primary breadwinner or ciizen chil-
dren however does no ensure proecion rom deporaion As o November
2014 43 million people were waiing or amily-based visas in he Unied Saes13
And according o Colorlines 204810 parens o US children were removed rom
he counry beween July 1 2010 and Sepember 31 201214 Te removal o
hose parens accouned or nearly 23 percen o all individuals depored duringha period ha esimae is likely low as many parens are relucan o admi hey
have children in he counry15 Family separaions creae sress and anxiey among
immigran communiies which akes a oll on he enire counry
Depriving the nation of economic gains
Te ailure o implemen comprehensive immigraion reorm also deprives he
naion o a needed economic boos Te millions o unauhorized immigrans
who are currenly living and working in he Unied Saes are already paricipaingin he naionrsquos economy Bu he vas majoriy o unauhorized workers are no
able o paricipae ully in he economic sysem A comprehensive immigraion
reorm plan ha would allow everyone o work on an even playing field would
also increase ax revenue and lead o higher wages or all workers Tis would lead
o beter jobs and increased spending hroughou he enire economy
Unauhorized immigrans are already conribuing o he economy by working
and paying axes bu comprehensive immigraion reorm would allow hem o
increase heir conribuion o he US economy16 In 2012 he mos recen year
or which daa are available unauhorized immigrans paid an esimaed $1184
billion in sae propery and sales axes which und schools police and fire sa-
ions roads and oher public services17 Reorming he immigraion sysem would
only increase hese conribuions By allowing unauhorized immigrans o earn
legal saus heir bargaining power would increase and hey would become beter
equipped o cones an unlawul erminaion o employmen negoiae or air
compensaion and file a complain i hey believe hey are being misreaed or
abused18 Tese worker proecions would lead o higher wages or boh immi-
grans and nonimmigrans which would benefi all workers who are oherwise a
risk o being undercu Te proecions would spread hroughou he enire econ-omy increasing ax revenue expanding he naionrsquos gross domesic produc or
GDP and creaing jobs19 According o a 2013 analysis by he Cener or American
Progress providing a pahway o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans would
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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4 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
resul in an addiional $109 billion in axes paid over 10 years20 A more recen
analysis also ound ha creaing a pahway o ciizenship would increase US GDP
by $12 rillion over 10 years increasing he cumulaive income o Americans by
$625 billion21
Similarly under he curren sysem millions o unauhorized workers are alreadypaying ino Social Securiy and Medicare supporing he aging US populaion
wihou reaping he benefis And jus as comprehensive immigraion reorm
would benefi he enire economy i also would lead o huge gains o Social
Securiy and Medicare helping suppor he solvency o boh programs22
Simply pu he ailure o reorm he immigraion sysem is leaving money on he
able Allowing immigrans o work on an even playing field would allow hem o
conribue even more o he economy han hey are already
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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5 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Overview of the
conservative response
Despie he negaive consequences o inacion on immigraion reorm polii-
cal leaders have ailed o advance sensible soluions or he naionrsquos immigraion
sysem A he ederal level congressional leaders have obsruced atemps o pass
long-erm comprehensive immigraion reorm insead considering only piece-
meal ani-immigran bills23 Meanwhile a he sae level conservaive lawmakers
have proposed measures o demonize local immigran communiies and obsruc
he implemenaion o posiive immigraion reorms24
Obstructing progress
In June 2013 he Senae passed a broadly suppored biparisan comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm bill he Border Securiy Economic Opporuniy and
Immigraion Modernizaion Ac or S 74425 Te bill sough o modernize and
reorm he American immigraion sysem by updaing he legal visa sysem mak-
ing he larges invesmens in border securiy o dae and providing a pahway
o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans Bu despie he Senaersquos success he
House o Represenaives ailed o consider his hisoric bill or any oher immigra-
ion reorm plan26
Since hen he progress or passing comprehensive immigraion reorm has
salled indefiniely New House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) recenly said in a series
o inerviews ha he would no work wih he Obama adminisraion on immigra-
ion policy ldquoLook I hink i would be a ridiculous noion o ry and work on an
issue like his wih a presiden we simply canno rus on his issuerdquo he said in an
inerview wih CBSrsquos ldquoFace he Naionrdquo27 He also signed a leter promising mem-
bers o his pary ha he would no bring immigraion legislaion o he Housefloor during his congressional session28
Since ormer Rep John Boehner (R-OH) ook over as House Speaker in 2011 he
immigraion debae in Congress has cenered on piecemeal legislaion in he orm
o enorcemen-only bills and atemps o sall he presidenrsquos execuive acions29
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1224
9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 324
1 Introduction and summary
2 Problems caused by a lack of immigration reform
2 Separating families
3 Depriving the nation of economic gains
5 Overview of the conservative response
5 Obstructing progress
6 Pursuing restrictionist policies
9 Progressive solutions for immigration reform
9 Federal solutions
13 State progress
16 Conclusion
17 About the authors and acknowledgments
18 Endnotes
Contents
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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1 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Introduction and summary
I is no secre ha he racial and ehnic makeup o he American elecorae is
changing rapidly By he 2016 elecion communiies o color will make up 32
percen o all eligible voers in he Unied Saes1 Tis increasingly rapid demo-
graphic change means poliicians a every level o governmen mus address wih
public policy he challenges and opporuniies acing all Americans
One o hese challenges is he need or comprehensive immigraion reorm Te
majoriy o Americans99125269 percen991252hink unauhorized immigrans who areliving in he Unied Saes should be allowed o say in he counry according o
a recen CBS News and New York Times poll2 Ye congressional lawmakers have
ailed o move orward on comprehensive immigraion reorm Te ailure o law-
makers o prioriize a long-erm soluion o he challenges acing he US immi-
graion sysem means ha more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans are
orced o say on he economic sidelines while amilies coninue o be separaed3
Insead o providing a sensible soluion ha would give unauhorized immigrans
legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship991252he progressive approach o immi-
graion reorm which would boos he economy991252he conservaive response
requenly demonizes and atemps o criminalize immigrans all while predomi-
nanly opposing any posiive acion alogeher4
Tis repor deails he curren sae o immigraion reorm by laying ou he prob-
lems acing he unauhorized immigran communiy oulining he conservaive
response o he immigraion sysem reviewing progressive soluions or reorm
and providing a sae-by-sae breakdown o he economic impac o comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 524
2 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Problems caused by
a lack of immigration reform
Te ailure o address he challenges o he immigraion sysem has ar-reaching
consequences991252no only or immigran communiies bu also or he naion
overall Overzealous immigraion enorcemen and hard-line deporaion srae-
gies are earing amilies apar affecing American ciizens and legal migrans alike
Furhermore wihou comprehensive immigraion reorm millions o unauhor-
ized workers are no able o ully paricipae in he economy huring hose work-
ers and heir amilies as well as he economy as a whole
Separating families
One o he mos immediae consequences o he curren immigraion sysem is he
separaion o immigran amilies Hardline immigraion enorcemen and depor-
aion policies are breaking up millions o amilies and counless communiies
leaving amilies sruggling and immigran communiies living in a culure o ear 5
When amilies are divided many parens are orced o become single parens and
sruggle o make ends mee6 In even worse scenarios US-born children o unau-
horized parens may be orced ino oser care when heir parens are depored7 In
addiion o physically separaing amilies hese enorcemen and deporaion poli-
cies creae a culure o ear o amily separaions among immigran communiies
which hurs police-communiy relaionships and erodes rus8
Over he pas decade aggressive deporaion sraegies have resuled in he
removal and reurn o more han 3 million immigrans9 While he number o
deporaions has been dropping seadily over he pas ew years nearly 316000
immigrans were depored in fiscal year 2014 alone10 And currenly 166 mil-
lion people live in mixed-saus amilies991252amilies wih a leas one unauhorizedimmigran991252and one-hird o all US children o immigrans live in hese ami-
lies11 Addiionally according o a 2013 esimae unauhorized immigran aduls
have been in he Unied Saes or a median ime o almos 13 years Ta means a
leas hal o he enire unauhorized populaion has spen a leas ha long becom-
ing involved in heir communiies and in he US economy as a whole12
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 624
3 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Having ciizen children or even being he primary breadwinner or ciizen chil-
dren however does no ensure proecion rom deporaion As o November
2014 43 million people were waiing or amily-based visas in he Unied Saes13
And according o Colorlines 204810 parens o US children were removed rom
he counry beween July 1 2010 and Sepember 31 201214 Te removal o
hose parens accouned or nearly 23 percen o all individuals depored duringha period ha esimae is likely low as many parens are relucan o admi hey
have children in he counry15 Family separaions creae sress and anxiey among
immigran communiies which akes a oll on he enire counry
Depriving the nation of economic gains
Te ailure o implemen comprehensive immigraion reorm also deprives he
naion o a needed economic boos Te millions o unauhorized immigrans
who are currenly living and working in he Unied Saes are already paricipaingin he naionrsquos economy Bu he vas majoriy o unauhorized workers are no
able o paricipae ully in he economic sysem A comprehensive immigraion
reorm plan ha would allow everyone o work on an even playing field would
also increase ax revenue and lead o higher wages or all workers Tis would lead
o beter jobs and increased spending hroughou he enire economy
Unauhorized immigrans are already conribuing o he economy by working
and paying axes bu comprehensive immigraion reorm would allow hem o
increase heir conribuion o he US economy16 In 2012 he mos recen year
or which daa are available unauhorized immigrans paid an esimaed $1184
billion in sae propery and sales axes which und schools police and fire sa-
ions roads and oher public services17 Reorming he immigraion sysem would
only increase hese conribuions By allowing unauhorized immigrans o earn
legal saus heir bargaining power would increase and hey would become beter
equipped o cones an unlawul erminaion o employmen negoiae or air
compensaion and file a complain i hey believe hey are being misreaed or
abused18 Tese worker proecions would lead o higher wages or boh immi-
grans and nonimmigrans which would benefi all workers who are oherwise a
risk o being undercu Te proecions would spread hroughou he enire econ-omy increasing ax revenue expanding he naionrsquos gross domesic produc or
GDP and creaing jobs19 According o a 2013 analysis by he Cener or American
Progress providing a pahway o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans would
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 724
4 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
resul in an addiional $109 billion in axes paid over 10 years20 A more recen
analysis also ound ha creaing a pahway o ciizenship would increase US GDP
by $12 rillion over 10 years increasing he cumulaive income o Americans by
$625 billion21
Similarly under he curren sysem millions o unauhorized workers are alreadypaying ino Social Securiy and Medicare supporing he aging US populaion
wihou reaping he benefis And jus as comprehensive immigraion reorm
would benefi he enire economy i also would lead o huge gains o Social
Securiy and Medicare helping suppor he solvency o boh programs22
Simply pu he ailure o reorm he immigraion sysem is leaving money on he
able Allowing immigrans o work on an even playing field would allow hem o
conribue even more o he economy han hey are already
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 824
5 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Overview of the
conservative response
Despie he negaive consequences o inacion on immigraion reorm polii-
cal leaders have ailed o advance sensible soluions or he naionrsquos immigraion
sysem A he ederal level congressional leaders have obsruced atemps o pass
long-erm comprehensive immigraion reorm insead considering only piece-
meal ani-immigran bills23 Meanwhile a he sae level conservaive lawmakers
have proposed measures o demonize local immigran communiies and obsruc
he implemenaion o posiive immigraion reorms24
Obstructing progress
In June 2013 he Senae passed a broadly suppored biparisan comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm bill he Border Securiy Economic Opporuniy and
Immigraion Modernizaion Ac or S 74425 Te bill sough o modernize and
reorm he American immigraion sysem by updaing he legal visa sysem mak-
ing he larges invesmens in border securiy o dae and providing a pahway
o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans Bu despie he Senaersquos success he
House o Represenaives ailed o consider his hisoric bill or any oher immigra-
ion reorm plan26
Since hen he progress or passing comprehensive immigraion reorm has
salled indefiniely New House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) recenly said in a series
o inerviews ha he would no work wih he Obama adminisraion on immigra-
ion policy ldquoLook I hink i would be a ridiculous noion o ry and work on an
issue like his wih a presiden we simply canno rus on his issuerdquo he said in an
inerview wih CBSrsquos ldquoFace he Naionrdquo27 He also signed a leter promising mem-
bers o his pary ha he would no bring immigraion legislaion o he Housefloor during his congressional session28
Since ormer Rep John Boehner (R-OH) ook over as House Speaker in 2011 he
immigraion debae in Congress has cenered on piecemeal legislaion in he orm
o enorcemen-only bills and atemps o sall he presidenrsquos execuive acions29
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
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12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 424
1 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Introduction and summary
I is no secre ha he racial and ehnic makeup o he American elecorae is
changing rapidly By he 2016 elecion communiies o color will make up 32
percen o all eligible voers in he Unied Saes1 Tis increasingly rapid demo-
graphic change means poliicians a every level o governmen mus address wih
public policy he challenges and opporuniies acing all Americans
One o hese challenges is he need or comprehensive immigraion reorm Te
majoriy o Americans99125269 percen991252hink unauhorized immigrans who areliving in he Unied Saes should be allowed o say in he counry according o
a recen CBS News and New York Times poll2 Ye congressional lawmakers have
ailed o move orward on comprehensive immigraion reorm Te ailure o law-
makers o prioriize a long-erm soluion o he challenges acing he US immi-
graion sysem means ha more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans are
orced o say on he economic sidelines while amilies coninue o be separaed3
Insead o providing a sensible soluion ha would give unauhorized immigrans
legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship991252he progressive approach o immi-
graion reorm which would boos he economy991252he conservaive response
requenly demonizes and atemps o criminalize immigrans all while predomi-
nanly opposing any posiive acion alogeher4
Tis repor deails he curren sae o immigraion reorm by laying ou he prob-
lems acing he unauhorized immigran communiy oulining he conservaive
response o he immigraion sysem reviewing progressive soluions or reorm
and providing a sae-by-sae breakdown o he economic impac o comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 524
2 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Problems caused by
a lack of immigration reform
Te ailure o address he challenges o he immigraion sysem has ar-reaching
consequences991252no only or immigran communiies bu also or he naion
overall Overzealous immigraion enorcemen and hard-line deporaion srae-
gies are earing amilies apar affecing American ciizens and legal migrans alike
Furhermore wihou comprehensive immigraion reorm millions o unauhor-
ized workers are no able o ully paricipae in he economy huring hose work-
ers and heir amilies as well as he economy as a whole
Separating families
One o he mos immediae consequences o he curren immigraion sysem is he
separaion o immigran amilies Hardline immigraion enorcemen and depor-
aion policies are breaking up millions o amilies and counless communiies
leaving amilies sruggling and immigran communiies living in a culure o ear 5
When amilies are divided many parens are orced o become single parens and
sruggle o make ends mee6 In even worse scenarios US-born children o unau-
horized parens may be orced ino oser care when heir parens are depored7 In
addiion o physically separaing amilies hese enorcemen and deporaion poli-
cies creae a culure o ear o amily separaions among immigran communiies
which hurs police-communiy relaionships and erodes rus8
Over he pas decade aggressive deporaion sraegies have resuled in he
removal and reurn o more han 3 million immigrans9 While he number o
deporaions has been dropping seadily over he pas ew years nearly 316000
immigrans were depored in fiscal year 2014 alone10 And currenly 166 mil-
lion people live in mixed-saus amilies991252amilies wih a leas one unauhorizedimmigran991252and one-hird o all US children o immigrans live in hese ami-
lies11 Addiionally according o a 2013 esimae unauhorized immigran aduls
have been in he Unied Saes or a median ime o almos 13 years Ta means a
leas hal o he enire unauhorized populaion has spen a leas ha long becom-
ing involved in heir communiies and in he US economy as a whole12
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 624
3 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Having ciizen children or even being he primary breadwinner or ciizen chil-
dren however does no ensure proecion rom deporaion As o November
2014 43 million people were waiing or amily-based visas in he Unied Saes13
And according o Colorlines 204810 parens o US children were removed rom
he counry beween July 1 2010 and Sepember 31 201214 Te removal o
hose parens accouned or nearly 23 percen o all individuals depored duringha period ha esimae is likely low as many parens are relucan o admi hey
have children in he counry15 Family separaions creae sress and anxiey among
immigran communiies which akes a oll on he enire counry
Depriving the nation of economic gains
Te ailure o implemen comprehensive immigraion reorm also deprives he
naion o a needed economic boos Te millions o unauhorized immigrans
who are currenly living and working in he Unied Saes are already paricipaingin he naionrsquos economy Bu he vas majoriy o unauhorized workers are no
able o paricipae ully in he economic sysem A comprehensive immigraion
reorm plan ha would allow everyone o work on an even playing field would
also increase ax revenue and lead o higher wages or all workers Tis would lead
o beter jobs and increased spending hroughou he enire economy
Unauhorized immigrans are already conribuing o he economy by working
and paying axes bu comprehensive immigraion reorm would allow hem o
increase heir conribuion o he US economy16 In 2012 he mos recen year
or which daa are available unauhorized immigrans paid an esimaed $1184
billion in sae propery and sales axes which und schools police and fire sa-
ions roads and oher public services17 Reorming he immigraion sysem would
only increase hese conribuions By allowing unauhorized immigrans o earn
legal saus heir bargaining power would increase and hey would become beter
equipped o cones an unlawul erminaion o employmen negoiae or air
compensaion and file a complain i hey believe hey are being misreaed or
abused18 Tese worker proecions would lead o higher wages or boh immi-
grans and nonimmigrans which would benefi all workers who are oherwise a
risk o being undercu Te proecions would spread hroughou he enire econ-omy increasing ax revenue expanding he naionrsquos gross domesic produc or
GDP and creaing jobs19 According o a 2013 analysis by he Cener or American
Progress providing a pahway o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans would
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 724
4 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
resul in an addiional $109 billion in axes paid over 10 years20 A more recen
analysis also ound ha creaing a pahway o ciizenship would increase US GDP
by $12 rillion over 10 years increasing he cumulaive income o Americans by
$625 billion21
Similarly under he curren sysem millions o unauhorized workers are alreadypaying ino Social Securiy and Medicare supporing he aging US populaion
wihou reaping he benefis And jus as comprehensive immigraion reorm
would benefi he enire economy i also would lead o huge gains o Social
Securiy and Medicare helping suppor he solvency o boh programs22
Simply pu he ailure o reorm he immigraion sysem is leaving money on he
able Allowing immigrans o work on an even playing field would allow hem o
conribue even more o he economy han hey are already
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 824
5 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Overview of the
conservative response
Despie he negaive consequences o inacion on immigraion reorm polii-
cal leaders have ailed o advance sensible soluions or he naionrsquos immigraion
sysem A he ederal level congressional leaders have obsruced atemps o pass
long-erm comprehensive immigraion reorm insead considering only piece-
meal ani-immigran bills23 Meanwhile a he sae level conservaive lawmakers
have proposed measures o demonize local immigran communiies and obsruc
he implemenaion o posiive immigraion reorms24
Obstructing progress
In June 2013 he Senae passed a broadly suppored biparisan comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm bill he Border Securiy Economic Opporuniy and
Immigraion Modernizaion Ac or S 74425 Te bill sough o modernize and
reorm he American immigraion sysem by updaing he legal visa sysem mak-
ing he larges invesmens in border securiy o dae and providing a pahway
o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans Bu despie he Senaersquos success he
House o Represenaives ailed o consider his hisoric bill or any oher immigra-
ion reorm plan26
Since hen he progress or passing comprehensive immigraion reorm has
salled indefiniely New House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) recenly said in a series
o inerviews ha he would no work wih he Obama adminisraion on immigra-
ion policy ldquoLook I hink i would be a ridiculous noion o ry and work on an
issue like his wih a presiden we simply canno rus on his issuerdquo he said in an
inerview wih CBSrsquos ldquoFace he Naionrdquo27 He also signed a leter promising mem-
bers o his pary ha he would no bring immigraion legislaion o he Housefloor during his congressional session28
Since ormer Rep John Boehner (R-OH) ook over as House Speaker in 2011 he
immigraion debae in Congress has cenered on piecemeal legislaion in he orm
o enorcemen-only bills and atemps o sall he presidenrsquos execuive acions29
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 924
6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
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12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 524
2 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Problems caused by
a lack of immigration reform
Te ailure o address he challenges o he immigraion sysem has ar-reaching
consequences991252no only or immigran communiies bu also or he naion
overall Overzealous immigraion enorcemen and hard-line deporaion srae-
gies are earing amilies apar affecing American ciizens and legal migrans alike
Furhermore wihou comprehensive immigraion reorm millions o unauhor-
ized workers are no able o ully paricipae in he economy huring hose work-
ers and heir amilies as well as he economy as a whole
Separating families
One o he mos immediae consequences o he curren immigraion sysem is he
separaion o immigran amilies Hardline immigraion enorcemen and depor-
aion policies are breaking up millions o amilies and counless communiies
leaving amilies sruggling and immigran communiies living in a culure o ear 5
When amilies are divided many parens are orced o become single parens and
sruggle o make ends mee6 In even worse scenarios US-born children o unau-
horized parens may be orced ino oser care when heir parens are depored7 In
addiion o physically separaing amilies hese enorcemen and deporaion poli-
cies creae a culure o ear o amily separaions among immigran communiies
which hurs police-communiy relaionships and erodes rus8
Over he pas decade aggressive deporaion sraegies have resuled in he
removal and reurn o more han 3 million immigrans9 While he number o
deporaions has been dropping seadily over he pas ew years nearly 316000
immigrans were depored in fiscal year 2014 alone10 And currenly 166 mil-
lion people live in mixed-saus amilies991252amilies wih a leas one unauhorizedimmigran991252and one-hird o all US children o immigrans live in hese ami-
lies11 Addiionally according o a 2013 esimae unauhorized immigran aduls
have been in he Unied Saes or a median ime o almos 13 years Ta means a
leas hal o he enire unauhorized populaion has spen a leas ha long becom-
ing involved in heir communiies and in he US economy as a whole12
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 624
3 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Having ciizen children or even being he primary breadwinner or ciizen chil-
dren however does no ensure proecion rom deporaion As o November
2014 43 million people were waiing or amily-based visas in he Unied Saes13
And according o Colorlines 204810 parens o US children were removed rom
he counry beween July 1 2010 and Sepember 31 201214 Te removal o
hose parens accouned or nearly 23 percen o all individuals depored duringha period ha esimae is likely low as many parens are relucan o admi hey
have children in he counry15 Family separaions creae sress and anxiey among
immigran communiies which akes a oll on he enire counry
Depriving the nation of economic gains
Te ailure o implemen comprehensive immigraion reorm also deprives he
naion o a needed economic boos Te millions o unauhorized immigrans
who are currenly living and working in he Unied Saes are already paricipaingin he naionrsquos economy Bu he vas majoriy o unauhorized workers are no
able o paricipae ully in he economic sysem A comprehensive immigraion
reorm plan ha would allow everyone o work on an even playing field would
also increase ax revenue and lead o higher wages or all workers Tis would lead
o beter jobs and increased spending hroughou he enire economy
Unauhorized immigrans are already conribuing o he economy by working
and paying axes bu comprehensive immigraion reorm would allow hem o
increase heir conribuion o he US economy16 In 2012 he mos recen year
or which daa are available unauhorized immigrans paid an esimaed $1184
billion in sae propery and sales axes which und schools police and fire sa-
ions roads and oher public services17 Reorming he immigraion sysem would
only increase hese conribuions By allowing unauhorized immigrans o earn
legal saus heir bargaining power would increase and hey would become beter
equipped o cones an unlawul erminaion o employmen negoiae or air
compensaion and file a complain i hey believe hey are being misreaed or
abused18 Tese worker proecions would lead o higher wages or boh immi-
grans and nonimmigrans which would benefi all workers who are oherwise a
risk o being undercu Te proecions would spread hroughou he enire econ-omy increasing ax revenue expanding he naionrsquos gross domesic produc or
GDP and creaing jobs19 According o a 2013 analysis by he Cener or American
Progress providing a pahway o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans would
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 724
4 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
resul in an addiional $109 billion in axes paid over 10 years20 A more recen
analysis also ound ha creaing a pahway o ciizenship would increase US GDP
by $12 rillion over 10 years increasing he cumulaive income o Americans by
$625 billion21
Similarly under he curren sysem millions o unauhorized workers are alreadypaying ino Social Securiy and Medicare supporing he aging US populaion
wihou reaping he benefis And jus as comprehensive immigraion reorm
would benefi he enire economy i also would lead o huge gains o Social
Securiy and Medicare helping suppor he solvency o boh programs22
Simply pu he ailure o reorm he immigraion sysem is leaving money on he
able Allowing immigrans o work on an even playing field would allow hem o
conribue even more o he economy han hey are already
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 824
5 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Overview of the
conservative response
Despie he negaive consequences o inacion on immigraion reorm polii-
cal leaders have ailed o advance sensible soluions or he naionrsquos immigraion
sysem A he ederal level congressional leaders have obsruced atemps o pass
long-erm comprehensive immigraion reorm insead considering only piece-
meal ani-immigran bills23 Meanwhile a he sae level conservaive lawmakers
have proposed measures o demonize local immigran communiies and obsruc
he implemenaion o posiive immigraion reorms24
Obstructing progress
In June 2013 he Senae passed a broadly suppored biparisan comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm bill he Border Securiy Economic Opporuniy and
Immigraion Modernizaion Ac or S 74425 Te bill sough o modernize and
reorm he American immigraion sysem by updaing he legal visa sysem mak-
ing he larges invesmens in border securiy o dae and providing a pahway
o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans Bu despie he Senaersquos success he
House o Represenaives ailed o consider his hisoric bill or any oher immigra-
ion reorm plan26
Since hen he progress or passing comprehensive immigraion reorm has
salled indefiniely New House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) recenly said in a series
o inerviews ha he would no work wih he Obama adminisraion on immigra-
ion policy ldquoLook I hink i would be a ridiculous noion o ry and work on an
issue like his wih a presiden we simply canno rus on his issuerdquo he said in an
inerview wih CBSrsquos ldquoFace he Naionrdquo27 He also signed a leter promising mem-
bers o his pary ha he would no bring immigraion legislaion o he Housefloor during his congressional session28
Since ormer Rep John Boehner (R-OH) ook over as House Speaker in 2011 he
immigraion debae in Congress has cenered on piecemeal legislaion in he orm
o enorcemen-only bills and atemps o sall he presidenrsquos execuive acions29
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 924
6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1224
9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1324
10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1524
12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 624
3 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Having ciizen children or even being he primary breadwinner or ciizen chil-
dren however does no ensure proecion rom deporaion As o November
2014 43 million people were waiing or amily-based visas in he Unied Saes13
And according o Colorlines 204810 parens o US children were removed rom
he counry beween July 1 2010 and Sepember 31 201214 Te removal o
hose parens accouned or nearly 23 percen o all individuals depored duringha period ha esimae is likely low as many parens are relucan o admi hey
have children in he counry15 Family separaions creae sress and anxiey among
immigran communiies which akes a oll on he enire counry
Depriving the nation of economic gains
Te ailure o implemen comprehensive immigraion reorm also deprives he
naion o a needed economic boos Te millions o unauhorized immigrans
who are currenly living and working in he Unied Saes are already paricipaingin he naionrsquos economy Bu he vas majoriy o unauhorized workers are no
able o paricipae ully in he economic sysem A comprehensive immigraion
reorm plan ha would allow everyone o work on an even playing field would
also increase ax revenue and lead o higher wages or all workers Tis would lead
o beter jobs and increased spending hroughou he enire economy
Unauhorized immigrans are already conribuing o he economy by working
and paying axes bu comprehensive immigraion reorm would allow hem o
increase heir conribuion o he US economy16 In 2012 he mos recen year
or which daa are available unauhorized immigrans paid an esimaed $1184
billion in sae propery and sales axes which und schools police and fire sa-
ions roads and oher public services17 Reorming he immigraion sysem would
only increase hese conribuions By allowing unauhorized immigrans o earn
legal saus heir bargaining power would increase and hey would become beter
equipped o cones an unlawul erminaion o employmen negoiae or air
compensaion and file a complain i hey believe hey are being misreaed or
abused18 Tese worker proecions would lead o higher wages or boh immi-
grans and nonimmigrans which would benefi all workers who are oherwise a
risk o being undercu Te proecions would spread hroughou he enire econ-omy increasing ax revenue expanding he naionrsquos gross domesic produc or
GDP and creaing jobs19 According o a 2013 analysis by he Cener or American
Progress providing a pahway o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans would
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 724
4 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
resul in an addiional $109 billion in axes paid over 10 years20 A more recen
analysis also ound ha creaing a pahway o ciizenship would increase US GDP
by $12 rillion over 10 years increasing he cumulaive income o Americans by
$625 billion21
Similarly under he curren sysem millions o unauhorized workers are alreadypaying ino Social Securiy and Medicare supporing he aging US populaion
wihou reaping he benefis And jus as comprehensive immigraion reorm
would benefi he enire economy i also would lead o huge gains o Social
Securiy and Medicare helping suppor he solvency o boh programs22
Simply pu he ailure o reorm he immigraion sysem is leaving money on he
able Allowing immigrans o work on an even playing field would allow hem o
conribue even more o he economy han hey are already
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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5 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Overview of the
conservative response
Despie he negaive consequences o inacion on immigraion reorm polii-
cal leaders have ailed o advance sensible soluions or he naionrsquos immigraion
sysem A he ederal level congressional leaders have obsruced atemps o pass
long-erm comprehensive immigraion reorm insead considering only piece-
meal ani-immigran bills23 Meanwhile a he sae level conservaive lawmakers
have proposed measures o demonize local immigran communiies and obsruc
he implemenaion o posiive immigraion reorms24
Obstructing progress
In June 2013 he Senae passed a broadly suppored biparisan comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm bill he Border Securiy Economic Opporuniy and
Immigraion Modernizaion Ac or S 74425 Te bill sough o modernize and
reorm he American immigraion sysem by updaing he legal visa sysem mak-
ing he larges invesmens in border securiy o dae and providing a pahway
o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans Bu despie he Senaersquos success he
House o Represenaives ailed o consider his hisoric bill or any oher immigra-
ion reorm plan26
Since hen he progress or passing comprehensive immigraion reorm has
salled indefiniely New House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) recenly said in a series
o inerviews ha he would no work wih he Obama adminisraion on immigra-
ion policy ldquoLook I hink i would be a ridiculous noion o ry and work on an
issue like his wih a presiden we simply canno rus on his issuerdquo he said in an
inerview wih CBSrsquos ldquoFace he Naionrdquo27 He also signed a leter promising mem-
bers o his pary ha he would no bring immigraion legislaion o he Housefloor during his congressional session28
Since ormer Rep John Boehner (R-OH) ook over as House Speaker in 2011 he
immigraion debae in Congress has cenered on piecemeal legislaion in he orm
o enorcemen-only bills and atemps o sall he presidenrsquos execuive acions29
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 724
4 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
resul in an addiional $109 billion in axes paid over 10 years20 A more recen
analysis also ound ha creaing a pahway o ciizenship would increase US GDP
by $12 rillion over 10 years increasing he cumulaive income o Americans by
$625 billion21
Similarly under he curren sysem millions o unauhorized workers are alreadypaying ino Social Securiy and Medicare supporing he aging US populaion
wihou reaping he benefis And jus as comprehensive immigraion reorm
would benefi he enire economy i also would lead o huge gains o Social
Securiy and Medicare helping suppor he solvency o boh programs22
Simply pu he ailure o reorm he immigraion sysem is leaving money on he
able Allowing immigrans o work on an even playing field would allow hem o
conribue even more o he economy han hey are already
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 824
5 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Overview of the
conservative response
Despie he negaive consequences o inacion on immigraion reorm polii-
cal leaders have ailed o advance sensible soluions or he naionrsquos immigraion
sysem A he ederal level congressional leaders have obsruced atemps o pass
long-erm comprehensive immigraion reorm insead considering only piece-
meal ani-immigran bills23 Meanwhile a he sae level conservaive lawmakers
have proposed measures o demonize local immigran communiies and obsruc
he implemenaion o posiive immigraion reorms24
Obstructing progress
In June 2013 he Senae passed a broadly suppored biparisan comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm bill he Border Securiy Economic Opporuniy and
Immigraion Modernizaion Ac or S 74425 Te bill sough o modernize and
reorm he American immigraion sysem by updaing he legal visa sysem mak-
ing he larges invesmens in border securiy o dae and providing a pahway
o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans Bu despie he Senaersquos success he
House o Represenaives ailed o consider his hisoric bill or any oher immigra-
ion reorm plan26
Since hen he progress or passing comprehensive immigraion reorm has
salled indefiniely New House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) recenly said in a series
o inerviews ha he would no work wih he Obama adminisraion on immigra-
ion policy ldquoLook I hink i would be a ridiculous noion o ry and work on an
issue like his wih a presiden we simply canno rus on his issuerdquo he said in an
inerview wih CBSrsquos ldquoFace he Naionrdquo27 He also signed a leter promising mem-
bers o his pary ha he would no bring immigraion legislaion o he Housefloor during his congressional session28
Since ormer Rep John Boehner (R-OH) ook over as House Speaker in 2011 he
immigraion debae in Congress has cenered on piecemeal legislaion in he orm
o enorcemen-only bills and atemps o sall he presidenrsquos execuive acions29
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 924
6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1224
9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1324
10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 824
5 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Overview of the
conservative response
Despie he negaive consequences o inacion on immigraion reorm polii-
cal leaders have ailed o advance sensible soluions or he naionrsquos immigraion
sysem A he ederal level congressional leaders have obsruced atemps o pass
long-erm comprehensive immigraion reorm insead considering only piece-
meal ani-immigran bills23 Meanwhile a he sae level conservaive lawmakers
have proposed measures o demonize local immigran communiies and obsruc
he implemenaion o posiive immigraion reorms24
Obstructing progress
In June 2013 he Senae passed a broadly suppored biparisan comprehen-
sive immigraion reorm bill he Border Securiy Economic Opporuniy and
Immigraion Modernizaion Ac or S 74425 Te bill sough o modernize and
reorm he American immigraion sysem by updaing he legal visa sysem mak-
ing he larges invesmens in border securiy o dae and providing a pahway
o ciizenship or unauhorized immigrans Bu despie he Senaersquos success he
House o Represenaives ailed o consider his hisoric bill or any oher immigra-
ion reorm plan26
Since hen he progress or passing comprehensive immigraion reorm has
salled indefiniely New House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) recenly said in a series
o inerviews ha he would no work wih he Obama adminisraion on immigra-
ion policy ldquoLook I hink i would be a ridiculous noion o ry and work on an
issue like his wih a presiden we simply canno rus on his issuerdquo he said in an
inerview wih CBSrsquos ldquoFace he Naionrdquo27 He also signed a leter promising mem-
bers o his pary ha he would no bring immigraion legislaion o he Housefloor during his congressional session28
Since ormer Rep John Boehner (R-OH) ook over as House Speaker in 2011 he
immigraion debae in Congress has cenered on piecemeal legislaion in he orm
o enorcemen-only bills and atemps o sall he presidenrsquos execuive acions29
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 924
6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1224
9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1324
10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1524
12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 924
6 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o ederal legislaive acion Presiden Barack Obama inroduced
execuive acions on immigraion in November 201430 Te immigraion direc-
ives include expanding Deerred Acion or Childhood Arrivals or DACA and
inroducing Deerred Acion or Parens o Americans and Lawul Permanen
Residens or DAPA Tese wo acions would give more han 5 million unauhor-
ized individuals emporary legal proecions shielding hem rom deporaion andallowing hose wih no criminal record o work legally in his counry31 Congress
has atemped o block he implemenaion o he presidenrsquos direcives numerous
imes since heir inroducion32 In December 2014 Speaker Boehner presided
over a voe on a bill sponsored by Rep ed Yoho (R-FL) ha would make he
presidenrsquos execuive acion ldquonull and void and wihou legal effecrdquo33 A February
2015 proposal by Rep rey Gowdy (R-SC) would srip unding or Presiden
Obamarsquos immigraion direcives and allow saes o suspend implemenaion o
he programs34 And in March 2015 House Republican leaders ried unsuccess-
ully o sall he rollou o expanded DACA and DAPA by cuting unding or he
US Deparmen o Homeland Securiy35
A he same ime ha congressional leaders are blocking progress conservaive
sae lawmakers have mouned legal challenges agains Presiden Obamarsquos immigra-
ion direcives in he ederal cour sysem Immediaely afer he announcemen
o he deerred acion programs in November 2014 a coaliion o 17 saes991252now
up o 26 saes991252filed a lawsui requesing ha US Disric Judge Andrew Hanen
rom exas block implemenaion o he execuive acions36 Judge Hanen held in
heir avor and ordered he injuncion puting he implemenaion o DAPA and
expansion o DACA on hold37 In November 2015 a ederal appeals cour based
in New Orleans upheld he injuncion rom he lower cour dealing a major blow
o immigran advocaes and mixed-saus amilies across he naion38 Te US
Deparmen o Jusice has since appealed his decision o he Supreme Cour 39
Pursuing restrictionist policies
In addiion o obsrucing progress on immigraion reorm conservaive lawmakers
in Washingon and he saes have acively suppored draconian policies ha make
lie more difficul or he more han 11 million unauhorized immigrans living inhe Unied Saes Tese resricionis measures would overly arge criminalize
and hreaen o depor millions o innocen immigrans who are living in he coun-
ry while giving hem no opporuniy o come orward and live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1224
9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1324
10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
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12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1024
7 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Here is a snapsho o some o hese resricionis policies
bull Ending the practice of birthright citizenship Te opic o birhrigh ciizen-
ship has become a renewed ocus o immigraion opponens in Congress con-
servaive lawmakers recenly proposed policies ha challenge he consiuional
provision in he 14h Amendmen ha guaranees ciizenship or all individu-als who are born on American soil40 Rep Seve King (R-IA) and Sen David
Viter (R-LA) have separaely inroduced legislaion in his session o Congress
o end he pracice991252and House Republicans ollowed heir lead by hosing a
Judiciary Commitee hearing in April 2015 iled ldquoBirhrigh Ciizenship Is I
he Righ Policy or Americardquo41 Tese effors o repeal he birhrigh ciizenship
provision would undo a par o he US Consiuion991252creaing an explosion in
he number o unauhorized immigrans along he way42 According o a 2010
Migraion Policy Insiue sudy eliminaing birhrigh ciizenship or children
wih a leas one unauhorized paren would increase he unauhorized popula-
ion o 24 million by 2050 making millions o children saeless43 Addiionallyending birhrigh ciizenship would orce all new parens o go hrough he long
and cumbersome process o proving heir childrenrsquos ciizenship which could
resul in an effecive birh ax o $600 per child44 Te guaranee o birhrigh
ciizenship has also aced challenges in he saes In Ocober a ederal judge in
exas declined a reques or a preliminary injuncion o sop sae officials rom
denying birh cerificaes o US-born children o immigrans who are unable o
supply cerain orms o idenificaion While sae officials do no have he legal
auhoriy o deny US ciizenship o children born in he counry reusing birh
cerificaes o hese children could deprive hem o he righs and benefis ha
all ciizens should enjoy45
bull Defunding so-called sanctuary cities Conservaive lawmakers in Congress
and in local sae governmens are leading a recen wave o effors o pu an end
o so-called sancuary ciies991252ciies wih communiy rus policies ha empha-
size communiy saey and do no urn unauhorized immigrans over o ederal
immigraion auhoriies or poenial deporaion proceedings46 Sen Viter
recenly inroduced a bill ha would punish hese ciies by cuting unding or
criical law enorcemen and economic developmen programs47 Sripping
ederal unding rom saes and ciies ha choose no o urn over unauhor-ized immigrans however could acually limi law enorcemen agenciesrsquo abiliy
o provide assisance and respond o crimes48 Senae Democras sopped his
bill rom moving orward49 Unorunaely similar ani-immigran acics have
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1224
9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1324
10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1524
12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1124
8 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
emerged in sae legislaures as well A he end o Sepember Norh Carolina
sae lawmakers passed a bill prohibiing ciies in he sae rom passing commu-
niy rus policies or sancuary ciy ordinances50
bull Criminalizing unauthorized immigrants Congressional hard-liners have
proposed legislaion ha would urn millions o unauhorized immigrans inocriminals overnigh simply by virue o heir lack o immigraion saus Te
Michael Davis Jr in Honor o Sae and Local Law Enorcemen Ac inro-
duced by Rep Gowdy in February 2015 would make being unauhorized a
crime raher han a civil offense which would require ha he US Deparmen
o Homeland Securiy deain any immigran picked up by local auhoriies and
pu immigrans a higher risk o imprisonmen and deporaion51 An analysis by
he Cener or American Progress however shows ha a massive deporaion
sraegy would only hur he American economy Deporaion coss an average
o $10070 per person991252or a oal o $114 billion o remove he enire unau-
horized populaion52 Aside rom he high coss o physically depor millions oindividuals mass deporaion would devasae he naional economy hreaen-
ing o shrink he labor orce by 64 percen over wo decades and decrease he
US GDP by up o $16 rillion53
bull Securing the American border with a wall Te idea o building a wall o secure
he US border has become a rademark o many ani-immigran sraegies
Conservaives in he House o Represenaives inroduced legislaion in boh
2014 and 2015 o enhance operaional conrol and finish encing off he souh-
wes border o he Unied Saes54 Bu he conservaive noion o needing o
build a wall o fix supposedly lax border securiy is misleading In ac according
o he measure o US Border Parol apprehensions unauhorized immigraion
atemps on he souhwes border have decreased 36 percen over he pas wo
years55 Addiionally he US governmen has been largely successul in milia-
rizing he souhern border invesing nearly $18 billion in on-he-ground inra-
srucure echnology and securiy measures in 2012 and successully erecing
nearly 650 miles o encing on he US-Mexico border56
aken ogeher hese policies amoun o a cosly sraegy by conservaive lawmak-
ers ha would make lie harder or he millions o unauhorized immigrans livingin his counry oday Such piecemeal policies overly arge and criminalize large
swahs o he immigran populaion while giving individuals no opporuniy o
come orward o live wihin he law
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1224
9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1324
10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1524
12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1224
9 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Progressive solutions for
immigration reform
I has now been wo years since he Senae passed is biparisan comprehensive
immigraion bill ye he lives o millions o unauhorized immigrans sill remain
on hold However i progressive proposals or immigraion reorm become law
millions o hese individuals would be on heir way o permanen legal saus and
ciizenship and he US economy would see huge gains
Federal solutions
Te benefis o comprehensive immigraion reorm including graning legal saus
and a pahway o ciizenship are innumerable a boh he sae and naional levels
Comprehensive immigraion reorm has obvious moral and social benefis I
would keep amilies rom being orn apar and give immigran amilies he oppor-
uniy o say in heir counry o choice and become ull and equal members o
sociey Bu in reusing o ake up comprehensive immigraion reorm Congress
is no only harming hese amilies bu also huring he economic healh o he
Unied Saes Te economic and fiscal benefis o comprehensive immigraion
reorm are numerous For one i would resul in a significan increase in GDP991252
adding $12 rillion over 10 years as well as a modes increase in job creaion57
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Alabama $6640000000 $4271000000 $3560000000 1000
Arizona $23100000000 $15300000000 $12700000000 3400Arkansas $4200000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 600
California $211700000000 $115000000000 $95800000000 30700
Colorado $15800000000 $9100000000 $7600000000 2300
Connecticut $12100000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Delaware $3600000000 $1400000000 $1100000000 500
TABLE 1
Economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for states over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1324
10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1524
12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1324
10 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative increase
in gross state product
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
state residents
Cumulative increase
in earnings of
undocumented workers
Average number
of jobs created
annually
Florida $55300000000 $37800000000 $31500000000 8000
Georgia $44100000000 $ 26100000000 $ 21800000000 6400
Hawaii $3300000000 $1700000000 $1400000000 500
Idaho $1500000000 $958000000 $798000000 200
Illinois $39300000000 $21000000000 $17500000000 5700
Indiana $8000000000 $4900000000 $3700000000 1200
Iowa $6000000000 $3300000000 $2800000000 900
Kansas $4900000000 $2700000000 $2200000000 700
Kentucky $5100000000 $3000000000 $2500000000 700
Louisiana $5700000000 $2500000000 $2100000000 800
Maryland $23800000000 $15600000000 $13000000000 3400
Massachusetts $19100000000 $10700000000 $8900000000 2800
Michigan $10200000000 $6800000000 $5600000000 1500
Minnesota $6400000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Missouri $5100000000 $3300000000 $2700000000 700
Nebraska $3000000000 $1600000000 $1400000000 400
Nevada $17900000000 $9000000000 $7500000000 2600
New Hampshire $1600000000 $337000000 $281000000 200
New Jersey $50000000000 $29900000000 $25000000000 7200
New Mexico $3800000000 $2400000000 $2000000000 600
New York $58700000000 $28000000000 $23400000000 8500
North Carolina $34700000000 $19300000000 $16100000000 5000
Ohio $7600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1100
Oklahoma $4600000000 $3100000000 $2600000000 700
Oregon $12600000000 $6800000000 $5700000000 1800
Pennsylvania $14800000000 $9300000000 $7700000000 2100
Rhode Island $2000000000 $1200000000 $1000000000 300
South Carolina $5800000000 $3400000000 $2900000000 800
Tennessee $10200000000 $5800000000 $4800000000 1500
Texas $144600000000 $74700000000 $62200000000 21000
Utah $8600000000 $4600000000 $3800000000 1200
Virginia $16300000000 $9600000000 $8000000000 2400
Washington $21300000000 $12500000000 $10400000000 3000
Wisconsin $6100000000 $3700000000 $3100000000 900
Notes The table includes only states for which data are available Asterisks indicate that state data have been updated from Lynch and Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State EconomicBenefits of Immigration Reformrdquo
Source Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoNational and State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reformrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013051763295national-and-state-by-state-economic-benefits-of-immigration-reform The state calculations for
benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are based off the following source Jeffrey Passel and Drsquo Vera Cohn ldquoUnauthorized Immigrant Population National and State Trends2010rdquo (Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfilesreports133pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1524
12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1424
11 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
In he absence o acion on comprehensive immigraion reorm Presiden Obama
has made moves o fill he holes in he exising immigraion sysem wih he expan-
sion o DACA and he creaion o DAPA hrough execuive acion announced in
November 2014 DAPA would on a case-by-case basis gran emporary relie rom
deporaion991252or deerred acion991252and he abiliy o apply or work auhoriza-
ion o unauhorized individuals who have lived in he Unied Saes since 2010and are parens o US ciizens or lawul permanen residens Expanded DACA
enails a similar case-by-case screening and graning o deerred acion o people
who came o he Unied Saes a a young age58 Trough DAPA and expanded
DACA he Obama adminisraion is exercising is prosecuorial discreion o ocus
enorcemen effors on high-prioriy cases while creaing a process or low-prioriy
individuals o come orward and apply or his emporary relie59
Since DACA was iniiaed in 2012 hundreds o housands o young adul immi-
grans have successully become more inegraed ino he naionrsquos economic and
social insiuions60 For example 59 percen o DACA recipiens obained a new job 57 percen obained a driverrsquos license and 49 percen opened heir firs bank
accoun61 DAPA and DACA expansion would provide an addiional 52 million
eligible unauhorized immigrans reprieve rom deporaion and give hem he abil-
iy o work legally on a emporary basis62 A he naional level DACA DAPA and
DACA expansion would creae an average o 29000 jobs annually over 10 years and
provide an addiional 37 million individuals wih legal work permis 63 Allowing
hese unauhorized immigrans o come off he economic sidelines o live and work
wihou ear o deporaion would have boh economic and fiscal benefis
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Arizona $6199000000 $4053000000 $3378000000 780
Arkansas $1363000000 $736000000 $614000000 170
California $75833000000 $39309000000 $32758000000 9500
Colorado $3332000000 $2062000000 $1719000000 420
Connecticut $2914000000 $1466000000 $1221000000 370
Delaware $809000000 $323000000 $269000000 100
District of Columbia $938000000 $246000000 $205000000 120
TABLE 2
Economic benefits of DAPA DACA and DACA expansion for statesand the District of Columbia over 10 years
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1524
12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1524
12 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State
Cumulative
increase in
state GDP
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of all state residents
Cumulative
increase in earnings
of DAPA- and DACA-
eligible workers
Average number
of jobs created
Florida $9426000000 $6226000000 $5188000000 1180
Georgia $7561000000 $4290000000 $3575000000 950
Hawaii $276000000 $136000000 $114000000 35
Idaho $781000000 $481000000 $401000000 100
Illinois $14779000000 $7981000000 $6651000000 1850
Indiana $1577000000 $818000000 $682000000 200
Iowa $765000000 $422000000 $351000000 100
Kansas $2094000000 $1086000000 $905000000 260
Kentucky $357000000 $209000000 $175000000 45
Maryland $4530000000 $2694000000 $2245000000 570
Massachusetts $3305000000 $1749000000 $1457000000 410
Michigan $1867000000 $1189000000 $991000000 230
Minnesota $1688000000 $945000000 $787000000 210
Nebraska $781000000 $378000000 $315000000 100
Nevada $2549000000 $1374000000 $1145000000 320
New Jersey $11979000000 $6433000000 $5361000000 1500
New Mexico $1112000000 $670000000 $559000000 140
New York $16109000000 $7381000000 $6151000000 2020
North Carolina $6588000000 $3283000000 $2736000000 830
Ohio $1570000000 $837000000 $697000000 200
Oklahoma $3259000000 $1619000000 $1349000000 410
Oregon $2879000000 $1515000000 $1263000000 360
Pennsylvania $2006000000 $1219000000 $1016000000 250
Rhode Island $507000000 $317000000 $264000000 64South Carolina $1508000000 $968000000 $806000000 190
Tennessee $2654000000 $1452000000 $1210000000 330
Texas $38271000000 $17576000000 $14647000000 4800
Utah $2646000000 $1347000000 $1123000000 330
Virginia $4199000000 $2642000000 $2202000000 530
Washington $3986000000 $2244000000 $1870000000 500
Wisconsin $1191000000 $723000000 $602000000 150
Note The state DACA DAPA and DACA expansion calculations are based on more recent data on the state undocumented populations than the 2013 comprehensive immigrationreform numbers in Figure 1
Sources Silva Mathema ldquoState-By-State Analysis of the Economic Impact of DACA DAPA and DACA Expansionrdquo Center for American Progress June 15 2015 available athttpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150615114894state-by-state-analysis-of-the-economic-impact-of-daca-dapa-and-daca-expansion
For more information on the methodology used in this analysis see Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351 the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1624
13 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
State progress
While congressional leadership remains saunchly opposed o immigraion
reorm saes have counered his ide by esablishing more welcoming laws ha
would help inegrae immigran residens ino local communiies Examples o
hese pro-immigran inegraion policies include bu are no limied o64
bull Community policing policies Communiy policing policies and rus laws
reer o a broad se o iniiaives aken up by several hundred local ciy and sae
governmens across he counry o place limis on he collaboraion beween
local law enorcemen and ederal immigraion auhoriies Tese policies are
inended o srenghen rus and encourage communicaion beween local law
enorcemen and immigran communiies because immigrans may oherwise
be relucan o conac he police because o heir immigraion saus65
bull Access to driverrsquos licenses Increasingly a number o saes are providingopporuniies or unauhorized immigrans o apply or driverrsquos licenses which
would allow millions o people o work and drive saely and legally Every sae
now permis applicaions rom DACA recipiens66 A smaller number o saes
welcome applicaions rom all unauhorized immigrans67
bull Municipal identification card programs Several ciies across he counry allow
residens regardless o immigraion saus o obain municipal ideniy cards
Tese residen cards may no be used or ederal purposes bu can be used
locally o access services rom medical clinics financial insiuions libraries
and a variey o ciy agencies68
bull Education and tuition-equity laws A ederal law passed in 1996 resrics
saesrsquo abiliy o allow unauhorized sudens access o possecondary educa-
ion benefis Bu a number o saes have increasingly counered his movemen
by offering higher educaion admission and in-sae uiion o unauhorized
sudens saring wih exas in 200169
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1724
14 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
TABLE 3
Pro-immigrant laws in states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
Alabama
Alaska Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1824
15 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
While Congress reuses o ake up a comprehensive immigraion reorm bill and
conservaives a every level o governmen enac policies ha demonize he enire
immigran populaion he lives o millions remain on hold a he same ime ha
he Unied Saes oreis huge economic gains Bu here are commonsense poli-cies o address hese problems From DAPA DACA and DACA expansion a he
ederal level o communiy policing programs educaion-equiy laws and more a
he sae level progressive immigraion soluions would benefi all Americans
State
Driverrsquos licenses
for DACA
recipients
Driverrsquos licenses
for unauthorized
immigrants
In-state
tuition
Financial
aid
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Sources Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo (Washington
Center for American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014032486207under-standing-immigration-federalism-in-the-united-states Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (WashingtonCenter for American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082
providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants
These classes of driverrsquos licenses differ by state For more detailed information see Mathema ldquoProviding Identification to UnauthorizedImmigrantsrdquo
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 1924
16 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Conclusion
Te Unied Saes is a counry buil by immigrans Bu he curren immigra-
ion sysem has become oo ocused on aggressive deporaion sraegies earing
amilies apar while orcing millions o immigrans o remain on he economic
sidelines Given he growing demographic and elecoral power o immigran
communiies he acions o policymakers on immigraion issues mater grealy
paricularly as he 2016 elecion draws closer Te benefis o progressive immigra-
ion policies are clear Implemening DAPA DACA and DACA expansion991252as
well as graning legal saus and a pahway o ciizenship or he millions o immi-grans living in his counry991252would increase GDP raise wages and creae jobs
all while prevening amilies rom being orn apar Ye conservaive lawmakers in
Washingon and across he counry coninuously ail o ac insead doing all hey
can o hwar any progress on reorms and passing piecemeal laws ha are aimed
a demonizing he enire immigran communiy Every day ha conservaive law-
makers keep heir backs urned on a raional pah orward or immigraion reorm
he naion misses ou on significan economic benefis and he lives o millions o
amilies remain on hold
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2024
17 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
About the authors
Kristen Ellingboe is a Researcher or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room Prior o joining CAP Acion she worked as field coordinaor
or Sae Sen im Kellerrsquos (D-NM) re-elecion campaign and as an invesiga-
ive journalis wih he News Enerprise Program Originally rom AlbuquerqueEllingboe received a bachelor o ars in poliical science and journalism rom
Emory Universiy She also sudied Spanish language in Salamanca Spain and
hroughou Nicaragua
Anna Perina is he Special Assisan or he Cener or American Progress Acion
Fund War Room A naive Washingonian Perina received her BA in oreign
affairs and hisory rom he Universiy o Virginia Prior o joining CAP Acion
she inerned in he Press Office o Sen Kirsen E Gillibrand (D-NY) a he polii-
cal communicaions firm SKDKnickerbocker and or Generaion Progress in
summer 2013 She also sudied abroad in Rio de Janeiro
Acknowledgments
Te auhors would like o hank Anna Chu Angela Kelley om Jawez Philip
Wolgin and Lize Ocampo or heir review and advice hroughou he develop-
men o his repor
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2124
18 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
Endnotes
1 Rob Griffin William H Frey and Ruy Teixeira ldquoThe De-mographic Evolution of the American Electorate 1980ndash2060rdquo Center for American Progress February 24 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesprogressive-movementnews20150224107166interactive-the-demographic-evolution-of-the-ameri-can-electorate-1980-2060
2 Polling Report ldquoImmigrationrdquo available at httpwwwpollingreportcomimmigrationhtm (last accessedNovember 2015)
3 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgdataunauthorized-immigrant-populationstateUS (last accessed November 2015)
4 Philip E Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants AreStill Waiting on Immigration Reformrdquo Center forAmerican Progress June 24 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201506241158352-years-later-immigrants-are-still-waiting-on-immigration-reform Alliancefor Citizenship ldquoThe 2015 GOP Mass DeportationAgendardquo (2015) available at httpsd3n8a8pro7vhmxcloudfrontneta4cpages31attachmentsorigi-nal1430246070A4C_-_Mass_Deportation_Agenda_Reportpdf1430246070
5 Joanna Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigra-tion Will Help Children and Familiesrdquo Center forAmerican Progress March 3 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150303107769executive-action-on-immi-gration-will-help-children-and-families
6 Joanna Dreby ldquoHow Todayrsquos Immigration EnforcementPolicies Impact Children Families and Communitiesrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2012)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201208DrebyImmigrationFamiliespdf
7 Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration Will HelpChildren and Familiesrdquo
8 Ibid
9 US Department of Homeland Security 2013 Yearbookof Immigration Statistics (2014) available at httpwwwdhsgovsitesdefaultfilespublicationsois_yb_2013_0pdf
10 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ldquoFY 2014ICE Immigration Removalsrdquo available at httpswwwicegovremoval-statistics (last accessed November2015) Dreby ldquoExecutive Action on Immigration WillHelp Children and Familiesrdquo
11 Paul Taylor and others ldquoUnauthorized ImmigrantsLength of Residency Patterns of Parenthoodrdquo (Wash-ington Pew Hispanic Center 2011) available at httpwwwpewhispanicorgfiles201112Unauthorized-Characteristicspdf
12 Jeffrey Passel and others ldquoAs Growth Stalls Unauthor-ized Immigrant Population Becomes More S ettledrdquo(Washington Pew Hispanic Center 2014) available athttpwwwpewhispanicorg20140903as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled
13 US Department of State Annual Report of Immi-grant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored andEmployment-based preferences Registered at the NationalVisa Center as of November 1 2014 (2014) available athttptravelstategovcontentdamvisasStatisticsImmigrant-StatisticsWaitingListItempdf
14 Seth Wessler ldquoPrimary Data Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizen Kidsrdquo Colorlines December 17 2012 avail-able at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesprimary-data-deportations-parents-us-citizen-kids
15 Seth Wessler ldquoNearly 205K Deportations of Parents ofUS Citizens in Just Over Two Yearsrdquo Colorlines Decem-ber 17 2012 available at httpwwwcolorlinescomarticlesnearly-205k-deportations-parents-us-citizens-
just-over-two-years
16 Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford ldquoThe EconomicEffects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship toUndocumented Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2013) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013032057351the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocument-ed-immigrants
17 Matthew Gardner Sebastian Johnson and MegWiehe ldquoUndocumented Immigrantsrsquo State amp Local TaxContributionsrdquo (Washington Institute on Taxation andEconomic Policy 2015) available at httpwwwiteporgpdfundocumentedtaxes2015pdf
18 Lynch and Oakford ldquoThe Economic Effects of GrantingLegal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Im-migrantsrdquo
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 Silva Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is Too Costlyrdquo Center for American Progress April 9 2015available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150409110589infographic-
inaction-on-immigration-is-too-costly
22 Adriana Kugler Robert Lynch and Patrick OakfordldquoImproving Lives Strengthening Finances TheBenefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security rdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2013)available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2013061466543improving-lives-strengthening-finances-the-benefits-of-im-migration-reform-to-social-security Robert Lynchand Patrick Oakford ldquoHow Will Immigration ReformImpact the Medicare Trust Fundrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationre-port2014022782121how-will-immigration-reform-impact-the-medicare-trust-fund
23 Steven Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially DeadBoehner Tells Obama No Vote This Year President Saysrdquo
Roll Call Potus Operandi Blog June 30 2014 availableat httpblogsrollcallcomwhite-houseimmigration-bill-officially-dead-boehner-tells-obama-no-vote-this-year
24 Karthick Ramakrishnan and Pratheepan GulasekaramldquoUnderstanding Immigration Federalism in the UnitedStatesrdquo (Washington Center for American Progress2014) available at httpscdnamericanprogressorgwp-contentuploads201403StateImmigration-reportv2pdf
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2224
19 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
25 Wolgin ldquo2 Years Later Immigrants Are Still Waiting onImmigration Reformrdquo
26 Dennis ldquoImmigration Bill Officially Deadrdquo
27 Nicholas Fandos ldquoPaul Ryan Says He Wonrsquot Work withObama on Immigration Reformrdquo The New York TimesNovember 1 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151102uspoliticspaul-ryan-says-he-wont-work-with-obama-on-immigration-reformhtml_r=2
28 Elaina Plott ldquoPaul Ryan Pledges No Immigration
Reform under Obamardquo National Review October 272015 available at httpwwwnationalreviewcomarticle426097paul-ryan-promises-no-immigration-reform-obama-administration
29 Philip Wolgin ldquoThe Housersquos Newest ImmigrationPlan Is Mass Deportationrdquo ThinkProgress March 172015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201503173634979houses-newest-immigra-tion-plan-comprehensive-mass-deportation HouseJudiciary Committee ldquoHouse Judiciary CommitteePasses First Immigration Enforcement Billrdquo Pressrelease March 3 2015 available at httpjudiciaryhousegovindexcfmpress-releasesid=F5AB795E-D739-49DB-9754-18CFD48F8C97 Anu KumarldquoHouse Judiciary Committee Signs Off On Two BillsChallenging Life For Immigrantsrdquo Generation ProgressMarch 24 2015 available at httpgenprogressorgvoices2015032435634house-judiciary-committee-
signs-off-on-two-bills-challenging-life-for-immigrants
30 US Citizenship and Immigration Services ldquoExecutiveActions on Immigrationrdquo available at httpwwwuscisgovimmigrationaction (last accessed November 2015)
31 Michael D Shear and Robert Pear ldquoObamarsquos Immigra-tion Plan Could Shield Five MillionrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 19 2014 available at httpwwwnytimescom20141120uspoliticsobamacare-unlikely-for-undocumented-immigrantshtmlmtrref=undefinedampassetType=nyt_now
32 Tim Devaney ldquoHouse GOP pushing new immigrationbillsrdquo The Hill February 27 2015 available at httpthehillcomregulationadministration234137-house-gop-pushing-new-immigration-bills
33 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act HR
5759 114 Cong 1 sess (Government Printing Office2014) available at httpd35brb9zkkbdsdcloudfrontnetwp-contentuploads201412H-R-5759-Amend-ment-12-2-14-Preventing-Executive-Overreach-on-Immigration-Act-of-2014pdf
34 Frank Camp ldquoTrey Gowdy Defies Obama ImmigrationOrder With Introduction of His O wn Billrdquo IndependentJournal February 2015 available at httpwwwijreviewcom201502259910-trey-gowdy-defies-obama-taking-immigration-hands Chuck Ross ldquoTreyGowdy Fights Back Against Obamarsquos Amnesty WithNew Immigration Planrdquo The Daily Caller February 272015 available at httpdailycallercom20150227trey-gowdy-bill-would-dismantle-obamas-amnesty-speed-up-deportation-of-criminal-aliens
35 Gabrielle Levy ldquoSigns of Life for Immigration ReformrdquoUS News amp World Report June 3 2015 available at
httpwwwusnewscomnewsarticles20150603signs-of-life-for-immigration-reform
36 Catalina Camia ldquoTexas leads 17 states in suing Obamaover immigrationrdquo USA Today December 3 2014available at httpwwwusatodaycomstorynewspolitics20141203obama-immigration-lawsuit-tex-as19851141 David Leopold ldquoWhat happened to thelawsuit against Obamarsquos immigration actionsrdquo MSNBCOctober 5 2015 available at httpwwwmsnbccommsnbcwhats-taking-the-5th-circuit-so-long-rule-obamas-immigration-executive-actions
37 Theresa Cardinal Brown ldquoImmigration Executive ActionCourt Case Primer (Texas v United States)rdquo BipartisanPolicy Center June 2 2015 available at httpbipar-tisanpolicyorgblogimmigration-executive-action-court-case-primer-texas-v-united-states
38 Texas v United States US Court of Appeals forthe 5th Circuit November 9 2015 availableat httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads201511100217245th-cir-Texas-v-US-meritspdf
39 Michael D Shear ldquoObama to Appeal Immigra-tion Ruling to Supreme CourtrdquoThe New York TimesNovember 10 2015 available at httpwwwnytimescom20151111uspoliticssupreme-court-immigra-tion-obamahtml_r=0
40 Tom Jawetz and Sanam Malik ldquoTurning Our Backson the 14th Amendmentrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151109125182turning-our-backs-on-the-14th-amendment
41 Elise Foley ldquoHouse Republicans Go After BirthrightCitizenshiprdquo The Huffington Post April 29 2015 avail-able at httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20150429house-republicans-birthright-citizenship_n_7174686html House Judiciary Committee Birthright Citizen-ship Is It the Right Policy for America (Government
Printing Office 2015) available at httpjudiciaryhousegov_cachefilesd4d230ee-7f0f-44b0-bdf4-bbdfa564e085114-21-94409pdf
42 Mark Noferi ldquoEnding Birthright Citizenship (Still) Un-constitutional Unwise Unworkable and Un-AmericanrdquoAmerican Immigration Council April 28 2015 availableat httpimmigrationimpactcom20150428ending-birthright-citizenship-still-unconstitutional-unwise-unworkable-and-un-american
43 Michael Fix ldquoRepealing Birthright Citizenship TheUnintended Consequencesrdquo Migration Policy InstituteAugust 2015 available at httpwwwmigrationpolicyorgnewsrepealing-birthright-citizenship-unintended-consequences
44 Sam Fulwood III and Marshall Fitz ldquoLess than Citizensrdquo(Washington Center for American Progress 2011)
available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews201105119690less-than-citizens
45 Molly Hennessy-Fiske ldquoJudge Texas can deny birthcertificates for US-born children of some immigrantsrdquoLos Angeles Times October 16 2015 available at httpwwwlatimescomnationnationnowla-na-nn-texas-immigrant-birth-certificate-20151016-storyhtml
46 City and County of San Francisco ldquoWhat is the Sanctu-ary Ordinancerdquo available at httpsfgsaorgindexaspxpage=1067 (last accessed November 2015)
47 Jordan Carney ldquoSenate Dems block lsquosanctuary citiesrsquobillrdquo The Hill October 20 2015 available at httpthehillcomblogsfloor-actionsenate257471-dems-block-sanctuary-cities-bill
48 Esther Yu-Hsi Lee ldquoThe Big Problem With The GOPrsquosCrusade Against lsquoSanctuary Citiesrsquordquo ThinkProgress July23 2015 available at httpthinkprogressorgimmigra-tion201507233683375repub-bills-sanctuary-cities
49 CAP Action War Room ldquoThe Donald Trump Actrdquo Think-Progress October 20 2015 available at httpthink-progressorgprogress-reportthe-donald-trump-act
50 Protect North Carolina Workers Act HB 318SL 2015-294 North Carolina General Assembly (2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2324
20 Center for American Progress Action Fund | The State of Immigrati on Reform
51 Michael Davis Jr in Honor of State and Local LawEnforcement Act HR 1148 114 Cong 1 sess (Govern-ment Printing Office 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill1148
52 Philip E Wolgin ldquoWhat Would It Cost to Deport 113Million Unauthorized Immigrantsrdquo Center for Ameri-can Progress August 18 2015 available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationnews20150818119474what-would-it-cost-to-deport-11-3-million-unauthorized-immigrants
53 Ibid
54 Office of Rep Ted Franks ldquoFranks Introduces NationalBorder and Homeland Security Actrdquo Press releaseJune 25 2014 available at httpsfrankshousegovpress-releasefranks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act Secure Fence Restoration Act of2015 HR 4034 114 Cong 1 sess (Government PrintingOffice 2015) available at httpswwwcongressgovbill114th-congresshouse-bill4034text
55 US Department of Homeland Security ldquoSecuring andManaging Our Bordersrdquo available at wwwdhsgovsecuring-and-managing-our-borders (last accessedDecember 2015)
56 Doris Meissner and others ldquoImmigration Enforcementin the United States The Rise of a Formidable Machin-eryrdquo (Washington Migration Policy Institute 2013)
available at httpcdnthinkprogressorgwp-contentuploads20151008171246MPI-report-enforcement-pillarspdf
57 Ibid Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on ImmigrationIs Too Costlyrdquo
58 American Immigration Council ldquoA Guide to the Im-migration Accountability Executive Actionrdquo availableat httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgspecial-reportsguide-immigration-accountability-executive-action (last accessed December 2015)
59 Marshal Fitz ldquoWhat the President Can Do on Immigra-tion if Congress fails to Actrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2014) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport2014070193042what-the-president-can-do-on-immigration-if-congress-fails-to-act
60 Roberto G Gonzales and Angie M Bautista-ChavezldquoTwo Years and Counting Assessing the Growing Powerof DACArdquo (Washington American Immigration Council2014) available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocstwo_years_and_counting_as-sessing_the_growing_power_of_daca_finalpdf
61 Ibid
62 Migration Policy Institute ldquoProfile of the UnauthorizedPopulation United Statesrdquo
63 Mathema ldquoInfographic Inaction on Immigration Is TooCostlyrdquo
64 Ramakrishnan and Gulasekaram ldquoUnderstanding Im-migration Federalism in the United Statesrdquo
65 Lynne Tramonte ldquoDebunking the Myth of lsquoSanctuary
Citiesrsquordquo (Washington Immigration Policy Center 2011)available at httpwwwimmigrationpolicyorgsitesdefaultfilesdocsCommunity_Policing_Policies_Pro-tect_American_042611_updatepdf
66 Griselda Nevarez ldquoNebraska Ends Ban on DriverrsquosLicenses for Young Immigrantsrdquo NBC News May 282015 available at httpwwwnbcnewscomnewslatinonebraska-ends-ban-drivers-licenses-young-immigrants-n366136
67 Silva Mathema ldquoProviding Identification toUnauthorized Immigrantsrdquo (Washington Centerfor American Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressorgissuesimmigrationreport20151124126082providing-identification-to-unauthorized-immigrants National Immigration LawCenter ldquoState Driverrsquos License Policies amp DACArdquo avail-able at httpswwwnilcorgdacadriverslicensestbl
html (last accessed November 2015)
68 Charles Posner and Lizet Ocampo ldquoKey Facts AboutNevada Voting Demographics How ChangingDemographics and DAPA-Affected Voters CouldImpact the 2016 Electionsrdquo (Washington Center forAmerican Progress 2015) available at httpswwwamericanprogressactionorgissuesimmigrationre-port20151207126857
69 National Immigration Law Center ldquoBasic Facts about In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Studentsrdquoavailable at httpswwwnilcorgbasic-facts-instatehtml (last accessed November 2015)
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
8202019 The State of Immigration Reform
httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-state-of-immigration-reform 2424
Our Mission
The Center for American
Progress Action Fund is an
independent nonpartisan
policy institute and advocacy
organization that is dedicated
to improving the lives of all
Americans through boldprogressive ideas as well
as strong leadership and
concerted action Our aim
is not just to change the
conversation but to change
the country
Our Values
As progressives we believe
America should be a land of
boundless opportunity where
people can climb the ladder
of economic mobility We
believe we owe it to future
generations to protect theplanet and promote peace
and shared global prosperity
And we believe an effective
government can earn the
trust of the American people
champion the common good
over narrow self-interest
and harness the strength ofour diversity
Our Approach
We develop new policy ideas
challenge the media to cover
the issues that truly matter
and shape the national
debate With policy teams in
major issue areas The Center
for American Progress ActionFund can think creatively at
the cross-section of traditiona
boundaries to develop ideas
for policymakers that lead to
real change By employing an
extensive communications
and outreach effort that we
adapt to a rapidly changing
media landscape we moveour ideas aggressively in the
national policy debate
Recommended