HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.076.2013 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
, Support for the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and
Immigration Modernization Act
RESOLUTION NO. 4-7‘ -2013
WHEREAS, the United States has a long and rich heritage of generous immigration laws; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County's and Colorado's identity is defined by its promise of equal
opportunity, esteem for diversity and commitment to innovation; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County and Colorado have prospered because of the contributions of
hardworking immigrants who aspire to citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Many employers in Pitkin County and the State are faced with an insufficient
number of visas for workers to support their needs, with arbitrary visa caps creating backlogs, and
inadequate government infrastructure to efficiently administer numerous guest worker programs;
and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform should update the legal immigration system so
that the future flow of legal guest workers more realistically matches our nation's labor needs and
is structured to protect the employment, wages, and working conditions of U.S. and lawful
immigrant workers; and
WHEREAS, Any new guest worker visa program must provide for strict compliance with United
States labor standards and wage and hour standards, portability of visas so that workers can
change jobs under prescribed circumstances, and the ability for workers to petition for permanent
residency; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform must aim to reduce the unreasonable wait times ,•
and overly complex rules that keep families unreasonably separated from their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, Colorado citizens support a comprehensive immigration reform that keeps families
together wherever possible, upholds our values as a state and nation,promotes small business and
economic growth, and provides long-term, practicable and enforceable solutions to our broken
immigration system; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive approach to fixing our broken immigration system is supported by
agriculture, business, advocacy, and the faith communities; and
WHEREAS, the United States Senate has shown leadership in the passage of S.744 the"Border
Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act" , a bipartisan measure to
reform our nation's immigration laws; and
WHEREAS,the United States House of Representatives has failed to act on comprehensive
immigration reform, and
WHEREAS, We recognize the importance of immigrants' many contributions to the social and
economic fabric of Pitkin County and the state of Colorado;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Pitkin County, Colorado that: •
While we may not agree with every provision in the Border Security, Economic
Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (also known as Senate Bill 744) we
recognize it is our best chance in a generation to fix our country's broken immigration
system. We encourage the 113°i Congress and President Obama to support Senate Bill
744 and enact it into law. 7�,/
jetOpUCED, READ AND ADOPTED ON THE t/�
I DAY OF
bt'VA 2013.
ATTEST: j BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
• i
. / 7 \ / er ,
BY i \ , /, By/
Jeanette Jones George New an, Chai .A an
Depiity County Clerk (- ,
Date:
APPROVED AS TO FORM: MANAGER APPROVAL
John Ely, Co - : ey Ton Peacock, County Manager
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