July 25, 2006 - The House overwhelmingly endorsed a bill Tuesday that would force state agencies to determine the legal status of all new employees, but the action late in the legislative term makes it a longshot the bill will become law. The proposal approved 107-2 would require the personal information of all new state employees to be screened through a U.S. Department of Homeland Security identity check.

"The state should lead the way to show that the people employed in North Carolina are actually eligible for employment," said Rep. George Cleveland, R-Onslow, the bill's sponsor. North Carolina has a population of about 400,000 undocumented workers, according to the Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization.

But with lawmakers pushing to finish the Legislature's annual session by as early as Thursday, Cleveland's measure faces a daunting road to passage. It will likely see a second House floor vote Wednesday. The Senate would then have to receive the bill, pass it through committee and approve it. Both chambers would then compromise on any differences before sending it to the governor for his approval. - AP

July 22, 2006 - North Carolina lawmakers have given little attention this session to the state's estimated 400,000 undocumented workers, and their time to make any changes is running short.

Conservative advocates have lobbied the General Assembly in recent weeks for new laws to help identify illegal immigrants, criticizing legislators for considering only a few minor proposals. Of the dozen or so bills, none has passed, and two of the three remaining measures face a long road to approval as lawmakers race to leave Raleigh as early as next week.

One proposal would encourage law enforcement officials to take a photo of drivers who fail to produce identification. Supporters have said unlicensed drivers frequently give false names and information to officers. - AP