WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Several states are expected to propose bills to fight illegal immigration in 2011, similar to a tough law enacted by Arizona in 2010, officials said.
Additionally, at least five states will start a coordinated effort to cancel automatic citizenship for children born in the United States to illegal immigrant parents, The New York Times reported.
However, few people expect progress on immigration issues when Congress reconvenes next week because Republicans, which now control the House, oppose an overhaul of immigration laws promised by President Obama, the newspaper said.
"The federal government's failure to enforce our border has functionally turned every state into a border state," said Randy Terrill, a Republican representative in Oklahoma. "This is federalism in action. The states are stepping in and filling the void left by the federal government."
Tough immigration measures have drawn opposition from some business groups. In Utah, a state dominated by Republicans, business leaders, church officials and the fast-growing Latino community urged moderation on immigration issues.
Among the states expected to introduce Arizona-style immigration bills are South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
