SF 3738

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

1.1     A resolution
1.2     memorializing the President and the 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 strengthen communities, not to 
1.9     support a broken federal immigration system, particularly where public safety is placed at risk; and  
1.10    WHEREAS, the shortfall of young workers and the growing demand for low-skill jobs 
1.11    to support the development of Minnesota's Economic Empowerment Zones create a need for 
1.12    immigrant workers in the state; and  
1.13    WHEREAS, immigrants and employers are forced into an underground market as only 
1.14    5,000 visas for low-skill positions are issued for an estimated 500,000 jobs available each 
1.15    year; and  
1.16    WHEREAS, it is beneficial for new immigrants, host communities, the state, and the nation 
1.17    for immigrants to quickly adjust to and integrate into life in Minnesota, learn English, become 
1.18    citizens, buy homes, start businesses, send their children to college, and thrive 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 
2.2     hard work ethic, determination, and citizenship; NOW, THEREFORE,  
2.3     BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota  that Congress should 
2.4     speedily enact: 
2.5     (a) comprehensive immigration reform that includes: (1) provisions that prioritize and 
2.6     expedite family reunification; (2) the expansion of the number of both high- and low-skill work 
2.7     visas that satisfy the workforce demands of local communities in agriculture and business 
2.8     industry; and (3)(i) a competitive grant program to fund certified entities to provide civics and 
2.9     English classes; (ii) federal reimbursement of hospitals for the emergency care of undocumented 
2.10    immigrants; and (iii) federal reimbursement programs to provide funding to states and localities 
2.11    for both the direct costs under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program and indirect costs 
2.12    related to the incarceration of noncitizens charged with or convicted of criminal offenses; and
2.13    (b) legislation that provides federal impact aid to the state of Minnesota.
2.14    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of state of the state of Minnesota is 
2.15    directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of  the United 
2.16    States, the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, and the Speaker and Clerk of 
2.17    the United  States House of Representatives.