HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 038-2013 - tabled Resolution No. 38-13
A Resolution in Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Whereas, historically, the cities and towns of the United States are a melting pot of multiple
cultures and nationalities based on our nation's history of welcoming immigrants; and
Whereas, when admitted through a well-regulated system, 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, failure on the part of the federal government to secure the borders,track visa
recipients in the interior, or enforce worksite laws allows illegal immigration to thrive, with an
estimated 11.2 million residents living and working in the United States without legal
authorization or proper documentation; and
Whereas, despite increases in border security and upgrades in tracking technology,
approximately 500,000 people continue to enter the United States illegally each year; and
Whereas, 30-40 percent of undocumented workers in the U.S. entered legally and overstayed
their student,tourist, or employment visas; and
Whereas, the worksite enforcement program does not adequately deter employers who
willingly hire unauthorized workers because they face little likelihood that the federal
government will investigate, fine, or criminally prosecute them; and it does not help employers
who genuinely want to follow the law because their employee verification efforts are hindered
by the extensive use of fraudulent documents; and
Whereas, the lack of infrastructure and capacity at the federal level makes the federal
government unable to adequately track the entry and exit of visitors and temporary workers,
and it creates unacceptable application backlogs and long delays, which provide strong
disincentives for foreign nationals to abide by the legal means to enter or remain in the country;
and
Whereas, approximately 268,000 workers in 2011, equal to about half of the undocumented
seasonal workers in the United States, used the current temporary, unskilled worker programs
(the H2-A and H2-6 visas); and
Whereas, the current immigration system inadequately addresses the growing numbers of
individuals wishing entrance to the United States through a temporary work visa program or as
legal permanent residents; and
Whereas, roughly two-thirds of undocumented adult immigrants have lived in the United States
for ten years or more, 1 million unauthorized immigrants are children, and another 4.5 million
U.S.-citizen children have at least one undocumented parent; and these families are forced to
live "underground," unable to get drivers' licenses or car insurance in most states, unlikely to
obtain health insurance, and afraid to report crimes to local law enforcement; and
Whereas, since immigrants are barred from most federal public assistance, the burden of
providing social services, education, and health care falls to the state and local governments,
who are increasingly feeling the financial impact of both legal and illegal immigrants living in
their communities.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the City of Brookings urges Congress to move quickly to
enact comprehensive reform of the current immigration laws with support of the
Administration to implement the immigration laws effectively; and
Be It Further Resolved that the federal government enforce its current immigration laws
consistently and vigorously to eliminate illegal entry at the borders, visa overstays, working
without proper documentation, and employing undocumented workers; and
Be It Further Resolved that the federal government must increase enforcement of visa
overstays through the full implementation and staffing of the US-VISIT and SEVIS programs; and
Be It Further Resolved that local personnel, such as police officers, fire inspectors, educators,
health personnel and social service personnel, should not be conscripted into federal service
because the federal government has not adequately funded and staffed its immigration
enforcement agencies; and the federal government must not transfer the responsibility of
enforcing U.S. immigration laws to local personnel; and
Be It Further Resolved that the federal government must strengthen its worksite enforcement
capacity and dramatically increase enforcement efforts at places of employment, as well as
providing employers with a universal, reliable, effective, secure, non-discriminatory, and non-
counterfeitable employee verification system, using the most up-to-date technology that will
minimize fraud; and
Be It Further Resolved That the federal government must increase its capacity and
infrastructure to enforce the laws and provide efficient means for foreign nationals to obtain
legal authorization for temporary visas or legal permanent residency; and
Be It Further Resolved that the federal government must provide an appropriate, legal means
of immigration, as is determined to be necessary and effective for the United States, for foreign
nationals that want to work here temporarily, become legal permanent residents, or gain
citizenship; and
Be It Further Resolved that the City of Brookings supports establishment of a process whereby
undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States may earn legalized status
through payment of appropriate fees and back taxes, background checks, absence of criminal
or gang activity, consistent work history, and meeting currently established civics requirements;
and that the immigrants who have earned such legal status should also be able to apply for
citizenship through additional processes, as appropriate and practical, as long as they do not
move ahead of applicants with proper documentation waiting to adjust their status or those
waiting on lists in their home countries; and
Be It Further Resolved that the federal government should provide local governments with
financial and technical assistance to alleviate the local impact of new immigrants, including the
costs of providing social services, health care, education, language services, and civic
integration; and
Be It Further Resolved that the City of Brookings also supports federal legislation like the
"Dream Act" that can facilitate state efforts to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students
and provide certain students with a path to U.S. citizenship.
Passed and approved this 23rd day of April, 2013.
CITY OF BROOKINGS, SD
Tim Ree• Ma ir
I.
'4*Tigtrrfrnes, City Clerk