WHEREAS, Some eleven million undocumented immigrants live and work in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Immigrant and Citizenship Coalition estimates that between 60,000 and 70,000 undocumented immigrants live and work in the Philadelphia region including Latinos, Africans, Asians, Caribbeans, Irish men and women, Brazilians, Chinese community members and Indonesians; and
WHEREAS, Many of these individuals have come to America seeking the better quality of life sought by the many immigrants who came before them; and
WHEREAS, Undocumented immigrant workers have made positive and important contributions to the U.S. and local economies by taking jobs in the construction, manufacturing and service industries that Americans would not fill; and
WHEREAS, Undocumented immigrant workers pay taxes, support their families and contribute to communities were they live in similar fashion to that of American workers; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. House of Representatives has passed immigration legislation, the Border Protection Act, that would criminalize being an undocumented immigrant; and
WHEREAS, The Border Protection Act would classify churches, charities, social service agencies and other groups that help these immigrants as smugglers; and
WHEREAS, The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the National Restaurant Association and faith and immigrant-advocacy groups support alternative legislation that ultimately would allow undocumented immigrants to become legal residents; and
WHEREAS, Criminalization and mass deportation of undocumented immigrant workers could have serious adverse affects on the Philadelphia regional economy; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Will hold hearings on the issue of Immigration, to explore how it affects our City, and to make recommendations as to what is appropriate action to protect the residents who live within our borders.
End