The bill, which Gov. Bill Owens said he will sign soon, is the latest action by states as Congress struggles to agree on a federal strategy to deal with the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.

Colorado's legislation, one of several immigration bills passed during a five-day special session that ended late Monday, would bar adult undocumented immigrants from receiving most state benefits.

Up to 50,000 illegal immigrants could be stripped of benefits they receive, according to Nate Strauch, a spokesman for Owens.