The New York Times today says at least six states will consider legislation this year that mirrors the Arizona effort to crack down on undocumented immigrants.

Arkansas is not listed, but it should be.

Jeannie Burlsworth will be back in her tin-foil hat for Secure Arkansas, yes. But I suspect she’ll have more allies in the legislature this go-round, thanks to the Republican influx. Republicans are leading the anti-immigrant charge nationally, including with a coordinated move in several states to end birthright citizenship.

Here’s the big question in Arkansas: Will the uncommon business/liberal alliance that beat back punitive legislation two years ago hold together in 2011? The complicated calculus of legislative relationships and broader political agendas could weaken some alliance members’ resolve to hang tough on a hot-button issue. We know already that one Little Rock business titan with a significant range of legislative interests — a somewhat surprisingly enthusiastic supporter in the group two years ago — is no longer on board.