* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Spector, President Rawlings-Blake
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
In Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
FOR the purpose of expressing support for President Obama's efforts towards comprehensive immigration reform.
body Recitals
From its inception the United States has been a nation of immigrants. Immigration has been an important driver of economic growth throughout American history and continues to be so today. Baltimore, long one of the nations great gateway cities for immigrants and today home to more than 37,000 foreign born residents, has had its history and growth even more strongly tied to immigration.
The Obama administration has signaled its understanding of the importance of immigration by pledging to work towards comprehensive immigration reform. An early step toward the realization of this goal has been the President's efforts to reduce the backlog of background checks required for immigration processing.
The immigrants assisted by the President's much appreciated steps to improve the efficiency of the background check process are already on a legal path that could eventually lead them to American citizenship. Unfortunately, there are many undocumented immigrants who are not currently on this path toward citizenship. This is a matter of deep concern since studies show that immigrants on a path toward citizenship generally have higher incomes, pay more in taxes, and are much less likely to require public assistance. Accordingly, immigration reform must include a mechanism that will recognize the status of undocumented workers and allow them to earn their legal status so that their positive effects on the economy can be maximized.
The positive effects of immigration can best be encouraged by an adaptable immigration policy that meets the demand for jobs available. Such an immigration system must be efficient, effective, and customer friendly.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body hereby expresses support for President Obama's desire to realize comprehensive immigration reform in the United States of America; asks for immigration reform policies that are sensitive, humane, and enforceable; and gratefully requests that these comments be considered as federal, state, and local officials work together to create a better immigration system in the United States.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the President, the Honorable Members of the Maryland Delegation to the 111th Congress, the Mayor, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of State Relations, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr09-0835~ImmReform/06Aug09
ccres/rs:tw
dlr09-0835~ImmReform/06Aug09
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ccres/rs:tw