Calling on the president and the U.S. Congress to adopt bipartisan federal legislation for comprehensive immigration reform.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is a diverse city with immigrants from many parts of the world, who work, own homes, open businesses and contribute to the well-being of the City; and

WHEREAS, This City Council has already passed a resolution in opposition to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005; and

WHEREAS, Many immigrants in Philadelphia and across the nation face years of separation from loved ones due to immigration processing backlogs and the lack of available visas; and

WHEREAS, Other immigrants, including those whose asylum claims are unresolved and those whose employers seek to sponsor them are unable to become lawful permanent residents or citizens; and

WHEREAS, A bipartisan group of legislators in both houses of Congress introduced the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, S. 1033, H.R. 2330 which establishes a policy to enhance the security of the U.S. while increasing the number of visas available for temporary jobs with an opportunity to earn permanent residence and U.S. citizenship; and

WHEREAS, S. 1033, H.R. 2330 also enables immigrants in the U.S. of good moral character who have been living and working here to obtain temporary work visas and ultimately work towards permanent legal status; and

WHEREAS, S. 1033, H.R. 2330 provides labor protections for immigrants and for U.S. workers; and

WHEREAS, The proposed legislation provides for relief to immigrant families who have languished for years awaiting reunification; and

WHEREAS, The bill further aims to improve security by enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local governments; and

WHEREAS, Other cities, such as Boston and New York have passed resolutions recognizing the need for the kind of comprehensive immigration reform contained in the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby support comprehensive immigration reform as reflected in the bipartisan legislation, Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, S.1003, H.R. 2330 and call on President Bush and the U.S. Congress to adopt such legislation; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President, Vice President and all members of the United States House and Senate.

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