Number
051600
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. MURPHY, PUENTE, DONOVAN, WITKOWIAK, D’AMATO AND DAVIS
Title
Resolution supporting passage of federal legislation providing for comprehensive immigration reform.
Analysis
This resolution supports passage of the “Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005,” U.S. Senate Bill 1033, bipartisan legislation often referred to as the McCain-Kennedy bill.
The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 would establish:
1) An eventual avenue to legal status and citizenship for most illegal immigrants already living and working in the U.S.
2) A new temporary work visa enabling a wider range of migrants with job offers to enter the U.S. legally, which would belong to the worker, not the employer.
3) Stricter immigration enforcement, including tighter border security and a new employment verification system.
4) An improved family unification system, which would reduce the delays experienced by immigrants seeking to rejoin their family members in the U.S.
Body
Whereas, There are more than 10 million illegal immigrants in the United States, who significantly contribute to the social, cultural and economic vibrancy of this society, and continue to be a key driving force in the U.S. economy and the economy of Wisconsin; and
Whereas, In this year’s State of the Union Address, President Bush acknowledged that this country’s economy could not function without the contributions of foreign workers, and current law only provides visas for 5,000 low-skill workers every year, which means that there is no way for many of the migrants in low-wage industries to enter the United States legally; and
Whereas, Illegal workers unfortunately experience lower wages, exploitative labor practices and dangerous working conditions and live in constant fear and insecurity, and providing legal documents for honest, hardworking migrants would discourage such abuses of worker rights and human rights; and
Whereas, Current immigration policies unfortunately lead to the separation of families, and those being deported and separated from their families have committed no crimes except to participate in the system of undocumented labor which has been maintained for over a century in this nation with the willing participation of business, religious and community institutions and many sectors of government; and
Whereas, Immigration policy reform will provide a path to permanent status for current and future workers who work hard and acknowledge the part they already play in this society, and enable them to participate and contribute even more, and this country must be just and humane to newcomers while assuring orderly immigration; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council supports passage of the “Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005,” which would provide for workers rights and family unification as part of a comprehensive immigration reform; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council stands in opposition to the “Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005”, House Resolution 4437, which was passed by the House of Representatives on December 16, 2005, an immigration reform bill based on enforcement, which criminalizes immigrants already living and working in the U.S., harms U.S. businesses and communities and separates families; and, be it
Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to Wisconsin’s U.S. Congressional delegation.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB06123-1
LCS
3/17/06