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Immigration
Approved by LCDC Executive Committee WHEREAS: Current immigration legislation involves an almost impossible process toward achieving permanent resident status. It is very expensive (filing fees set to triple in October 07), needlessly complex and redundant, takes a very long time to process (currently backed up about six months) and is fraught with bureaucratic pit falls. This daunting procedure encourages immigrants to seek other means of acquiring needed documentation, and encourages the unscrupulous to take advantage of the opportunity to provide false documentation. WHEREAS: Current legislation being considered encourages punitive raids on working immigrants, immediate deportations without concern for families or dependent children, and has little regard for the circumstances or contributions already made by working immigrants. WHEREAS: Current visiting workers program is an invitation for abuse. Many migrants who come here through this program are held in virtual slavery, have their passports confiscated and are treated poorly by their employers. WHEREAS: Current immigration policy encourages extremist voices to blame immigration for problems that are more the result of economic disparities and racial and ethnic bigotry. WHEREAS: The United States is a rich country largely built on the labor of immigrants and remains a country still needful of the labor of current immigrants coming to this country seeking a way to support their families and build a better life. WHEREAS: Supporting legislation which punishes those who seek to assist immigrants, and which further fines, deports or incarcerates those who have not acquired legal status only exacerbates an already serious situation. Legislation should, instead, make it faster, easier and more affordable for those seeking residency and employment status. WHEREAS: The hiring of illegal immigrants below the prevailing wage and without benefits is unfair to American workers and taxpayers. WHEREAS: Vigilant enforcement of our long-standing sanctions against employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants will reduce the number of illegal immigrants seeking to enter the US. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The Lancaster County Democratic Committee supports legalization for those in this country in an unauthorized status but who have built up equities and are otherwise admissible. The legalization proposal should provide a window of opportunity for undocumented immigrants who are already living in our communities and contributing to our nation to come forward without fear of recrimination and proceed with a reasonable process at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time which will upon completion provide them with legal documentation for residency and work status. |
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