REFERENCE TITLE: comprehensive immigration reform

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-first Legislature First Regular Session 2013

HCM 2002

Introduced by Representatives Miranda, Steele: Cardenas, Contreras, Dalessandro, Gabaldón, Gonzales, Hernandez, Mendez, Otondo

 

A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL

 

urging the united states congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

To the Congress of the United States of America:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, the United States of America is a country founded by immigrants, and its history has been characterized by waves of immigrants from the different parts of the world; and

Whereas, immigrants will continue to be an essential part of who we are as a nation; and

Whereas, the challenge today is to determine how to maintain the integrity of national borders, address the situation regarding millions of undocumented immigrants, devise a realistic program to respond to labor needs and manifest the humanitarian spirit that has characterized this country since its founding; and

Whereas, immigrants strengthen the United States by creating economic opportunities, increasing America's scientific and cultural resources, strengthening our ties with other nations, fulfilling humanitarian commitments and supporting family ties and family values that are necessary to build strong communities; and

Whereas, the failure on the part of the federal government to secure the borders, track visa recipients in the interior and enforce worksite laws has allowed undocumented immigration to thrive, with an estimated ten million residents living and working in the United States without legal authorization or proper documentation; and

Whereas, state and local governments have felt compelled to take action on civil immigration law enforcement despite their lack of jurisdiction, often resulting in civil rights violations and the creation of unconstitutional laws such as Arizona's Senate Bill 1070; and

Whereas, as the American labor force continues to age and demand new workers, immigrants are integral to various industry sectors such as technology, medicine and industries with labor shortage needs such as agriculture, manufacturing, restaurants, services, transportation, hospitality and construction; and

Whereas, the current immigration system inadequately addresses the growing numbers of individuals wishing to enter the United States through a temporary work visa program or as legal permanent residents; and

Whereas, roughly one-third of undocumented immigrants have lived in the United States for ten years or more, many of whom start businesses, purchase homes and simply try to live out the American dream; and

Whereas, millions of families with one or more undocumented adults have children who have been raised as Americans and who know no other country as their own, irrespective of their own immigration status; and

Whereas, immigrants are barred from most public assistance at both the federal and state levels, therefore often contributing to the labor force, taxes and the community in general without expectation of receiving any public benefit.

Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:

1.  That the United States Congress move quickly to enact comprehensive reform of the current immigration laws and to require as a critical component of such reform that our nation fully and energetically enforce our immigration laws and gain operational control of our borders.

2.  That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.