LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging the New York State Congressional deleg-
ation to denounce Arizona's new immigration law

WHEREAS, America, a nation of immigrants, is the greatest example of
freedom and liberty in the world; and
WHEREAS, The legislature of Arizona and the Governor of Arizona
recently signed into law Arizona Senate Bill 1070 which requires law
enforcement to question people about their immigration status and arrest
individuals if they have a "reasonable suspicion" that they are in the
country undocumented; and
WHEREAS, This Arizona law threatens the basic notions of decency,
justice, and fairness which are essential elements of the American way
of life; and
WHEREAS, Arizona's law is formulated on a policy of profiling rather
than just and equal process; and
WHEREAS, Arizona's law infringes upon the civil rights of individuals
and families across the United States; and
WHEREAS, President Obama has described Arizona's law by calling it
"misguided"; and
WHEREAS, Arizona's law is indicative of the need for comprehensive
immigration reform by the Federal Government; and
WHEREAS, For more than a decade our nation has pursued an enforce-
ment-only approach to immigration-an exercise in futility and cruelty
which has squandered resources and created a climate of fear in immi-
grant communities, but has not brought us any closer to a solution for
the immigration problems facing our nation; and
WHEREAS, The nation needs and deserves comprehensive immigration
reform which will stop current practices which have divided families
across the nation and provides a clear path to citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Studies have shown that comprehensive immigration reform can
play a vital role in revitalizing our struggling economy; and
WHEREAS, Immigration reform must respect clear boundaries between
federal immigration enforcement, local law enforcement, and the enforce-
ment of labor laws; and
WHEREAS, Immigration reform transcends party lines, and requires input
from all elected officials without regard to political affiliation; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to urge
Arizona to change course and revert from implementing an unfair and
un-American approach to immigration; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to enact
just and humane comprehensive immigration reform, strengthening the
family immigration system, addressing how America decides which workers
and family members can come here in the future, providing a clear path
to citizenship and revising current enforcement policies so that human
and civil rights are safeguarded; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to enact
comprehensive immigration reform now, because our economy, our communi-
ties, and our nation as a whole cannot wait any longer; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to each member of the Congressional delegation from the State of
New York.