SF 886

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A resolution
memorializing the President and Congress to promote the United States' ability to
compete in the global marketplace for talented and necessary workers.

WHEREAS, immigration policy is set at the federal level, but the actual benefits and
challenges of immigration are felt at the state and local levels; and

WHEREAS, discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, and national origin
is prohibited by the Minnesota Human Rights Act as well as the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, state and local resources should be used to safeguard children and strengthen
communities, not to support a broken federal immigration system, particularly where public
safety is placed at risk; and

WHEREAS, the number of Minnesota high school graduates will peak in 2008, sending
fewer young people into the workforce and, at the same time, Baby Boomers will be leaving
the workforce at record rates, so Minnesota's future economic success will depend on people
migrating to Minnesota from other states and countries; and

WHEREAS, it is beneficial for new immigrants, the host communities, the state, and
the nation for immigrants to quickly adjust to and integrate into life in Minnesota, learn
English, become citizens, buy homes, start businesses, send their children to college, and thrive
economically; and

WHEREAS, immigrants make important contributions to the economic, social, and
political vitality of the United States and the state of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota has a proud tradition of recognizing and rewarding hard
work ethic, determination, and citizenship; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that the Congress of the
United States should speedily enact: (a) comprehensive immigration reform that includes: (1)
provisions that prioritize and expedite family reunification; (2) the expansion of the number of
both high- and low skill work visas that satisfy the workforce demands of local communities in
agriculture and business industry; and (3) provisions that support a competitive grant program to
fund certified entities to provide civics and English classes; and (4) federal reimbursement of
hospitals for the emergency care of undocumented immigrants; and (b) legislation that provides
federal impact aid to the state of Minnesota.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States,
the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United
States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.