Assembly Resolution No. 485
BY: M. of A. Rozic
URGING the New York State Congressional delegation
to enact comprehensive immigration reform
legislation
WHEREAS, The United States is predominantly a nation of immigrants
that draws strength from the diversity of its residents; and
WHEREAS, The cultural diversity of immigrants to the United States
adds to the social fabric of this nation, and the new ideas and energies
immigrants contribute to the economy strengthening the nation as a
whole; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body believes in the human dignity of all
residents of the United States, regardless of their immigration status,
and recognizes the importance of the many contributions that immigrants
have made to the social and economic fabric of New York; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform policies must help reunite
families and reduce immigration backlogs; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body supports immigration reform that
keeps families together, upholds our values as a nation, promotes
economic growth and provides long-term solutions to the current problems
resulting from our immigration system; and
WHEREAS, Keeping families together not only is the right thing to
do, but is also good for the economy because families provide a base of
support that increases worker productivity and spurs entrepreneurship;
and
WHEREAS, Immigration is a federal responsibility and a comprehensive
approach to solve our broken immigration system would strengthen our
state's and nation's economy and free aspiring citizens to make an even
greater contribution to our communities; and
WHEREAS, The federal government's inability to enact immigration
reform has created severe economic, cultural and political strains here
and in communities across the country; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must update the legal
immigration system so that the future flow of immigrant workers more
realistically matches our nation's labor needs and is structured to
protect the wages and working conditions of U.S. and immigrant workers;
and
WHEREAS, Any new worker visa program must provide for strict
compliance with U.S. labor standards and wage and hour standards;
portability of visas so that workers can change jobs; and the ability
for workers to petition for permanent residency; and
WHEREAS, The reform of our nation's immigration system must occur in
a thoughtful manner which builds the strength and unity of working
people, and guarantees the same rights, obligations and basic fairness
for all workers, no matter their country of birth or origin; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must include a realistic
pathway to citizenship for all hardworking and taxpaying aspiring
citizens who live in this country and meet reasonable requirements; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must include a funding
stream to address the entire spectrum of fiscal impacts that will be
experienced by state governments as a result of programs for guest
workers, earned legalization and increases in the number of immigrants;
and
WHEREAS, The United States is now home to some 11 million
undocumented immigrants, including millions of children brought to this
country illegally who have grown up here and know no home other than the
United States; and
WHEREAS, Children without legal status in the United States face
difficult and often insurmountable obstacles to such resources as
obtaining education and employment, accessing health care and acquiring
a driver's license; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must provide a meaningful
opportunity for immigrant students to pursue a college education, and
the passing of the DREAM Act must be central to any legislation; and
WHEREAS, New York has a special pride as a traditional "Gateway to
America," is home to many immigrants and is the capital of the "cultural
melting pot," which is New York's unique culture; and
WHEREAS, New York, therefore, has a strong interest in immigration
policy and the impact it has on immigrants seeking a new life in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, The New York economy is fueled by the labor of migrant
workers; it is imperative that any temporary worker program must provide
workers with full labor and civil rights protections and the opportunity
to pursue legal permanent residency in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must seek to improve the
conditions for migrant and seasonal workers, many of whom work in
agricultural jobs; if these conditions are addressed through a temporary
worker program, it must provide labor and wage protections and an
opportunity for workers to pursue legal permanent residency; and
WHEREAS, In particular, this Legislative Body must provide temporary
workers with full labor and civil rights, the right to organize, the
right to change jobs and the right to remain with their families, and
must vigorously enforce these rights; and
WHEREAS, Many migrants face significant barriers when they attempt
to acquire the skills needed to participate in our nation's civic life;
those who wish to pursue English Language Learning (ELL) and civics
instruction often face waiting lists or crowded classrooms;
comprehensive immigration reform provides a critical opportunity to
promote ELL and civic instruction and make more resources available for
adult education services; and
WHEREAS, United States immigration policies must actively promote
the civic integration of newcomers to decrease the barriers when they
attempt to acquire the skills needed to participate in our nation's
civic life such as English instruction and civic proficiency courses;
and
WHEREAS, Naturalized Latino and Asian citizens benefit from
instruction in U.S. history and the importance of electoral
participation, and vote at higher rates than their native-born
counterparts, thereby strengthening our democracy; and
WHEREAS, For example, in 2008, 45% of eligible native-born Asians
and 48% of eligible native-born Latinos voted in the Presidential
election, compared to 49% of eligible naturalized Asian adults and 54%
of eligible naturalized Latino adults; and
WHEREAS, The federal government must take action to reform our
immigration laws to continue our heritage of immigration by
incorporating President Obama's Executive Order into law which grants
work permits and permission to stay in America for anyone brought to
this country before they were 16 years of age, and by establishing a
path to citizenship for all immigrants who have not committed criminal
offenses and protects the unity; and
WHEREAS, Our nation's security and public safety are best protected
by effective and fair immigration enforcement measures; our immigration
enforcement policies must not diminish the due process rights afforded
to our nation's residents, and sanctity of the family; and
WHEREAS, The United States must provide resources for immigration
enforcement and implement enforcement measures that will accomplish
these goals in an effective and humane manner; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to enact
comprehensive immigration reform legislation that addresses (1) earned
legalization with a path to citizenship; (2) updated future immigration
of families and workers; and (3) improved immigration enforcement and
border security that is consistent with our nation's values; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to each member of the Congressional delegation from the
State of New York.
