Political battle on illegal immigration shifts to state - The New York Times

Legislative leaders in at least half a dozen states say they will propose bills similar to a controversial law to fight illegal immigration. The efforts, led by Republicans, are part of a wave of state measures coming this year aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.  Legislators have also announced measures to limit access to public colleges and other benefits for illegal immigrants and to punish employers who hire them. five states plan to begin an unusual coordinated effort to cancel automatic United States citizenship for children born in this country to illegal immigrant parents.  Republicans, who will control the House of Representatives, do not support an overhaul of immigration laws that President Obama has promised to continue to push. State lawmakers say it has fallen to them to act. The Republican Party is divided between those who see that Hispanics are an essential constituency going forward, and those who don’t see that. These laws are creating resentment within the Latino community that is going to last for decades.