83R7500 CBE-D
By: Anchia H.C.R. No. 44
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, In an increasingly complex global economy, labor
mobility is crucial to the prosperity of the United States, but our
rigid, outmoded immigration policies are making it difficult for
the nation to compete; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Congress last enacted major immigration
legislation more than a quarter-century ago; since that time,
piecemeal attempts at reform have failed to create the kind of
rational and effective system we need to maintain competitiveness,
whether in an industry like agriculture, which requires large
numbers of workers able to perform physically demanding tasks, or
in technology, where the demand for employees with advanced degrees
in math and science is projected to outstrip supply by 2018; and
WHEREAS, Immigrants perform vital functions in a variety of
industries, and in Texas, they start nearly a third of the state's
new businesses; even undocumented immigrants produce more in state
revenue than they receive in state services, according to a 2006
study by the Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts,
which estimated that their deportation would cause more than a six
percent decline in the workforce and nearly an $18 billion decline
in the gross state product; and
WHEREAS, The United States is now home to some 11 million
undocumented immigrants, including millions of children brought to
this country illegally who have grown up here and know no home other
than the United States; a commonsense road map to citizenship for
these residents would stimulate the economy by allowing them to
open bank accounts, obtain college degrees, buy homes, establish
new American companies, and create jobs; a recent study published
by the Cato Institute estimated that a complete overhaul of the
immigration system would yield at least $1.5 trillion in added
U.S. gross domestic product over 10 years; and
WHEREAS, A rational overhaul of the immigration system
requires a tough, fair, and practical program to address the status
of undocumented immigrants, contingent on success in securing our
borders and addressing visa overstays; in order to protect all
workers, whether native or foreign-born, it must include an
efficient and transparent employment verification system that
identifies qualified candidates while penalizing employers who
knowingly hire undocumented immigrants; immigration policy must
also be designed to respond to labor needs in science and
technology, as well as in agriculture; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing the characteristics that will help
build prosperity and strengthen our society, a commonsense road map
to legal status for undocumented immigrants would encompass a
health and criminal background check, proof of a stable U.S. work
history and current employment, and payment of taxes; to gain
probationary legal status, individuals would be further required to
demonstrate knowledge of English and American civics; fairness
demands that the system take into account special circumstances
surrounding candidates for probationary legal status, such as
minors brought to the country as children or agricultural workers
whose labor is essential to maintain the food supply; and
WHEREAS, National security and our national interests are
poorly served by an embattled immigration system, and patchwork
attempts to mend its deficiencies undermine our potential for
prosperity and leave us ill-prepared to meet the challenges of the
modern world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to swiftly
enact and fund comprehensive immigration reform that creates a
commonsense road map to citizenship for some 11 million
undocumented immigrants, promotes economic growth, and strengthens
national security; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.