NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- State lawmakers proposed 461 bills to restrict the rights of U.S. immigrants, but just 19 have passed and only 12 impose significant changes, a report said.
Unusual coalitions of Hispanic groups, civil liberties advocates, chambers of commerce and law enforcement officials have beaten back most immigration-related legislative proposals this year, the New York Times said.
One of the most significant bills to win passage is a Georgia law that bars illegal immigrants from many state benefits, requires employers to verify workers' status and requires federal notification about illegal immigrants who are jailed.
The most contentious debate has been in the border state of Arizona, where Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, has vetoed numerous GOP-passed measures.
Earlier this month, Napolitano did sign a bill that requires immigrants to prove legal residency before receiving health benefits. The legislation arose from Proposition 200 that voters approved in 2004.
While most state lawmakers have proposed limiting immigrants' rights, Nebraska legislators overrode a gubernatorial veto of a bill to allow immigrant students to pay in-state college tuition.
