HF 771

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

1.1A resolution
1.2memorializing the President and Congress to promote the United States' ability to
1.3compete in the global marketplace for talented and necessary workers.
1.4WHEREAS, immigration policy is set at the federal level, but the actual benefits and
1.5challenges of immigration are felt at the state and local levels; and
1.6WHEREAS, discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, and national origin
1.7is prohibited by the Minnesota Human Rights Act as well as the United States Constitution; and
1.8WHEREAS, state and local resources should be used to strengthen communities, not to
1.9support a broken federal immigration system, particularly where public safety is placed at risk; and
1.10WHEREAS, the shortfall of young workers and the growing demand for low-skill jobs to
1.11support the development of the Governor's proposed Economic Empowerment Zones create a
1.12need for immigrant workers in Minnesota; and
1.13WHEREAS, immigrants and employers are forced into an underground market as only
1.145,000 visas for low-skill positions are issued for an estimated 500,000 jobs available each
1.15year; and
1.16WHEREAS, it is beneficial for new immigrants, the host communities, the state, and
1.17the nation for immigrants to quickly adjust to and integrate into life in Minnesota, learn
1.18English, become citizens, buy homes, start businesses, send their children to college, and thrive
1.19economically; and
1.20WHEREAS, immigrants make important contributions to the economic, social, and
1.21political vitality of the United States and the state of Minnesota; and
2.1WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota has a proud tradition of recognizing and rewarding hard
2.2work ethic, determination, and citizenship; NOW, THEREFORE,
2.3BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that the Congress of the
2.4United States should speedily enact: (a) comprehensive immigration reform that includes: (1)
2.5provisions that prioritize and expedite family reunification; (2) the expansion of the number of
2.6both high- and low skill work visas that satisfy the workforce demands of local communities
2.7in agriculture and business industry; and (3) the provisions of S. 1033/H.R. 2330, the Secure
2.8America and Orderly Immigration Act, particularly the following provisions that support the
2.9state government initiatives: (i) TITLE IX, Section 902, a competitive grant program to fund
2.10certified entities to provide civics and English classes; and (ii) TITLE X, Section 1001, federal
2.11reimbursement of hospitals for the emergency care of undocumented immigrants; and (b)
2.12legislation that provides federal impact aid to the state of Minnesota.
2.13BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
2.14directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States,
2.15the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United
2.16States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.