LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging the New York State Congressional deleg-
ation to enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation

WHEREAS, The United States is predominantly a nation of immigrants that
draws strength from the diversity of its residents; and
WHEREAS, The cultural diversity of immigrants to the United States
adds to the social fabric of this nation, and the new ideas and energies
immigrants contribute to the economy strengthening the nation as a
whole; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body believes in the human dignity of all
residents of the United States, regardless of their immigration status,
and recognizes the importance of the many contributions that immigrants
have made to the social and economic fabric of New York; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform policies must help reunite
families and reduce immigration backlogs; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body supports immigration reform that keeps
families together, upholds our values as a nation, promotes economic
growth and provides long-term solutions to the current problems result-
ing from our immigration system; and
WHEREAS, Keeping families together not only is the right thing to do,
but is also good for the economy because families provide a base of
support that increases worker productivity and spurs entrepreneurship;
and
WHEREAS, Immigration is a federal responsibility and a comprehensive
approach to solve our broken immigration system would strengthen our
state's and nation's economy and free aspiring citizens to make an even
greater contribution to our communities; and
WHEREAS, The federal government's inability to enact immigration
reform has created severe economic, cultural and political strains here
and in communities across the country; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must update the legal immi-
gration system so that the future flow of immigrant workers more realis-
tically matches our nation's labor needs and is structured to protect
the wages and working conditions of U.S. and immigrant workers; and
WHEREAS, Any new worker visa program must provide for strict compli-
ance with U.S. labor standards and wage and hour standards; portability
of visas so that workers can change jobs; and the ability for workers to
petition for permanent residency; and
WHEREAS, The reform of our nation's immigration system must occur in a
thoughtful manner which builds the strength and unity of working people,
and guarantees the same rights, obligations and basic fairness for all
workers, no matter their country of birth or origin; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must include a realistic
pathway to citizenship for all hardworking and taxpaying aspiring citi-
zens who live in this country and meet reasonable requirements; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must include a funding
stream to address the entire spectrum of fiscal impacts that will be
experienced by state governments as a result of programs for guest work-
ers, earned legalization and increases in the number of immigrants; and
WHEREAS, The United States is now home to some 11 million undocumented
immigrants, including millions of children brought to this country ille-
gally who have grown up here and know no home other than the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Children without legal status in the United States face
difficult and often insurmountable obstacles to such resources as
obtaining education and employment, accessing health care and acquiring
a driver's license; and

WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must provide a meaningful
opportunity for immigrant students to pursue a college education, and
the passing of the DREAM Act must be central to any legislation; and
WHEREAS, New York has a special pride as a traditional "Gateway to
America," is home to many immigrants and is the capital of the "cultural
melting pot," which is New York's unique culture; and
WHEREAS, New York, therefore, has a strong interest in immigration
policy and the impact it has on immigrants seeking a new life in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, The New York economy is fueled by the labor of migrant work-
ers; it is imperative that any temporary worker program must provide
workers with full labor and civil rights protections and the opportunity
to pursue legal permanent residency in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must seek to improve the
conditions for migrant and seasonal workers, many of whom work in agri-
cultural jobs; if these conditions are addressed through a temporary
worker program, it must provide labor and wage protections and an oppor-
tunity for workers to pursue legal permanent residency; and
WHEREAS, In particular, this Legislative Body must provide temporary
workers with full labor and civil rights, the right to organize, the
right to change jobs and the right to remain with their families, and
must vigorously enforce these rights; and
WHEREAS, Many migrants face significant barriers when they attempt to
acquire the skills needed to participate in our nation's civic life;
those who wish to pursue English Language Learning (ELL) and civics
instruction often face waiting lists or crowded classrooms; comprehen-
sive immigration reform provides a critical opportunity to promote ELL
and civic instruction and make more resources available for adult educa-
tion services; and
WHEREAS, United States immigration policies must actively promote the
civic integration of newcomers to decrease the barriers when they
attempt to acquire the skills needed to participate in our nation's
civic life such as English instruction and civic proficiency courses;
and
WHEREAS, Naturalized Latino and Asian citizens benefit from instruc-
tion in U.S. history and the importance of electoral participation, and
vote at higher rates than their native-born counterparts, thereby
strengthening our democracy; and
WHEREAS, For example, in 2008, 45% of eligible native-born Asians and
48% of eligible native-born Latinos voted in the Presidential election,
.SO DOC A R485 RESO TEXT 2013
compared to 49% of eligible naturalized Asian adults and 54% of eligible
naturalized Latino adults; and
WHEREAS, The federal government must take action to reform our immi-
gration laws to continue our heritage of immigration by incorporating
President Obama's Executive Order into law which grants work permits and
permission to stay in America for anyone brought to this country before
they were 16 years of age, and by establishing a path to citizenship for
all immigrants who have not committed criminal offenses and protects the
unity; and
WHEREAS, Our nation's security and public safety are best protected by
effective and fair immigration enforcement measures; our immigration
enforcement policies must not diminish the due process rights afforded
to our nation's residents, and sanctity of the family; and
WHEREAS, The United States must provide resources for immigration
enforcement and implement enforcement measures that will accomplish
these goals in an effective and humane manner; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to enact

comprehensive immigration reform legislation that addresses (1) earned
legalization with a path to citizenship; (2) updated future immigration
of families and workers; and (3) improved immigration enforcement and
border security that is consistent with our nation's values; 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.