Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
AMENDED SUBSTITUTE - Supporting passage of federal legislation providing for comprehensive immigration reform.
Body
WHEREAS, there are more than 10 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, who significantly contribute to the social, cultural and economic vibrancy of this society, and continue to be a key driving force in the US economy and the economy of Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, the importance of immigration workers to our community was demonstrated on Monday, April 10 at "The Day Without Latinos March" when an estimated 10,000 individuals marched to demonstrate their opposition to punitive immigration reform; and
WHEREAS, in this year's State of the Union Address, President Bush acknowledged that this country's economy could not function without the contributions of foreign workers, and current law only provides visas for 5,000 low-skill workers every year, which means that there is no way for many of the migrants in low-wage industries to enter the United States legally; and,
WHEREAS, undocumented workers unfortunately experience lower wages, exploitative labor practices and dangerous working conditions and live in constant fear and insecurity, and providing legal documents for honest, hardworking migrants would discourage such abuses of worker rights and human rights; and,
WHEREAS, current immigration policies unfortunately lead to the separation of families, and those being deported and separated from their families have committed no crimes except to participate in the system of undocumented labor which has been maintained for over a century in this nation with the willing participation of business, religious and community institutions and many sectors of government; and,
WHEREAS, immigration policy reform will provide a path to permanent status for current and future workers who work hard and acknowledge the part they already play in this society, and enable them to participate and contribute even more, and this country must be just and humane to newcomers while assuring orderly immigration,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council supports passage of the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005," which federal legislation that would provide for workers rights and family unification; an eventual avenue to legal status for most illegal immigrants already living and working in the U.S.; a new temporary work visa enabling a wider range of migrants with job offers to enter the U.S. legally, which would belong to the worker, not the employer as part of a comprehensive immigration reform; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council stands in opposition to the "Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005", House Resolution 4437, which was passed by the House of Representatives on December 16, 2005, an immigration reform bill based on enforcement, which criminalizes immigrants already living and working in the US, harms U S businesses and communities and separates families; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to Wisconsin's U S Congressional delegation.
Analysis
This resolution supports passage some provisions of the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005," U.S. Senate Bill 1033, bipartisan legislation often referred to as the McCain-Kennedy bill:
The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 would establish:
1. An eventual avenue to legal status and citizenship for most illegal immigrants already living and working in the U.S.
2. A new temporary work visa enabling a wider range of migrants with job offers to enter the U.S. legally, which would belong to the worker, not the employer.
3. Stricter immigration enforcement, including tighter border security and a new employment verification system.