2011: Battles To Come Over State Immigration Legislation, the 14th Amendment and Real Conversations On Border Security

2011 is shaping up to be a transitional time for Immigration Reform in the United States. While Congressional movement on immigration related legislation seems remote, debate will shift over to States who try to pass immigration related legislation as well as a renewed discussion on Border Security.

Arizona's controversial anti-immigrant law SB1070 is still before the courts, with much of the legislation struck down the law is still in effect in the Grand Canyon state. However with the failure to enact any immigration legislation, other than more Border Security funds,  states have begun to legislate on immigration within their local legislatures.  

Some of those same legislators are also now going to be focusing on revoking the 14th Amendment rights to undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile the Supreme Court is still deliberating on the other Arizona immigration law, the Legal Arizona Workers Act. The outcome of this case is important as it may provide a legal framework for dealing with SB1070 and other immigration related state born legislations.

Also of note in the coming year is the battle ahead over Border Security.

This battle it should be noted, at this point is almost completely rhetorical. The Administration over the past two years has devoted unprecedented amounts of money to Border Security,and has increased Deportation of criminal aliens to record levels.  and while the border is not "Secure," violence has been mostly relegated to the Southern part of the Border and not on American soil.

Meanwhile, more is being written about the role of American gun's increasingly being used in violence in Mexico. The bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms has been producing reports linking the flow of guns from the United States to Mexico since last year. As the new year continues more will be revealed.

In the Congress, with the House Subcommittee on Immigration now being chaired by Republican Lamar Smith, there will be a renewed battle over the current administration's enforcement policies. With the GOP controlling the House, Border Security will be a hotly contested issue for the foreseeable future.

Highlighting all of the stories above shows that there are  many moving parts in this debate. This blog in particular will be focusing on the following six issues:

1. Immigration Legislation Coming From State Legislators
2. Court Cases Related To Sb1070  And The Supreme Court Case on The Legal Workers Act
3. GOP Assault on The 14th Amendment
4. GOP Controlled House Subcommittee on Immigration
5. A More Comprehensive Look at What The Administration Has Done To Beef Up Border Security
6. The Flow of American Guns From The United States To Mexico And How That Is Affecting The Drug Wars South Of The Border.