After a landmark year in 2013, the immigrant-inclusive state measures enacted that year were implemented and gained ground in 2014–15. States continued to expand access to higher education, driver’s licenses, health care, and professional licenses for eligible immigrants, regardless of their immigration status.
Cities and counties adopted policies aimed at disentangling local law enforcement from federal immigration enforcement and explored providing access to legal counsel, health care, and municipal identification documents to their residents. State and local governments established offices charged with integrating immigrants and invested in assistance for people seeking U.S. citizenship or other immigration relief.
Although a few restrictive measures passed—and though some serious threats are ongoing—immigrants’ rights advocates and allies defeated virtually all of the significant anti-immigrant proposals filed in the past two years.
Read MoreStates Reject Immigration Enforcement Measures and Advance Inclusive Policies in 2016
Oct 6, 2016 This resource highlights the key victories and challenges faced by the immigrants' rights movement in 2016.
Immigrants’ Rights Gain Ground in the States: 2018-2019
Dec 11, 2019 This report highlights some of the victories won by immigrants’ rights advocates, organizers, and allies in the states from 2018-2019.
State and Local Immigrants’ Rights Developments, December 2019–August 2020
Sep 10, 2020 This report highlights the immigrant-inclusive state laws and policies adopted from December 2019 through August 2020, including efforts to provide relief to immigrant residents harmed by the COVID...
State Immigrant Rights Highlights 2021: Advancing Community Health and Well-Being
Jan 1, 2022 This report highlights the immigrant inclusive laws enacted in 2021, as well as some pending bills and campaigns.