1.1 	A resolution
1.2 	memorializing the President and Congress to promote the United States' ability to 
1.3 	compete in the global marketplace for talented and necessary workers.
1.4 	WHEREAS, immigration policy is set at the federal level, but the actual benefits and 
1.5 	challenges of immigration are felt at the state and local levels; and
1.6 	WHEREAS, discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, and national origin 
1.7 	is prohibited by the Minnesota Human Rights Act as well as the United States Constitution; and
1.8 	WHEREAS, state and local resources should be used to safeguard children and strengthen 
1.9 	communities, not to support a broken federal immigration system, particularly where public 
1.10 	safety is placed at risk; and
1.11 	WHEREAS, the number of Minnesota high school graduates will peak in 2008, sending 
1.12 	fewer young people into the workforce and, at the same time, Baby Boomers will be leaving 
1.13 	the workforce at record rates, so Minnesota's future economic success will depend on people 
1.14 	migrating to Minnesota from other states and countries; and
1.15 	WHEREAS, it is beneficial for new immigrants, the host communities, the state, and 
1.16 	the nation for immigrants to quickly adjust to and integrate into life in Minnesota, learn 
1.17 	English, become citizens, buy homes, start businesses, send their children to college, and thrive 
1.18 	economically; and
1.19 	WHEREAS, immigrants make important contributions to the economic, social, and 
1.20 	political vitality of the United States and the state of Minnesota; and
2.1 	WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota has a proud tradition of recognizing and rewarding hard 
2.2 	work ethic, determination, and citizenship; NOW, THEREFORE, 
2.3 	BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota  that the Congress of the 
2.4 	United States should speedily enact: (a) comprehensive immigration reform that includes: (1) 
2.5 	provisions that prioritize and expedite family reunification; (2) the expansion of the number of 
2.6 	both high- and low skill work visas that satisfy the workforce demands of local communities in 
2.7 	agriculture and business industry; and (3) provisions that support a competitive grant program to 
2.8 	fund certified entities to provide civics and English classes; and (4) federal reimbursement of 
2.9 	hospitals for the emergency care of undocumented immigrants; and (b) legislation that provides 
2.10 	federal impact aid to the state of Minnesota.
2.11 	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is 
2.12 	directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of  the United States, 
2.13 	the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United  
2.14 	States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.