The annual meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors brings together mayors from cities of all sizes to discuss important community issues, including immigration.
During the 76th Annual Meeting held from June 20-24, 2008, the mayors spoke loud and clear on the issue of immigration, passing three important immigration resolutions. These resolutions become the official policy of the Conference of Mayors, and will be forwarded to Congress and the new Administration.
Two committees proposed three resolutions directly related to immigration. You can read the complete list of adopted resolutions on the 76th U.S. Conference of Mayors website.CRIMINAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Resolution #51: Calling for comprehensive immigration reform which promotes the reunification of families, provides legal status with a path to earned citizenship, and a plan for current and future immigrant workers.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by The U.S. Conference of Mayors acting on behalf of its constituents to call on the President of the United States to issue an executive order to cease and desist in the execution of all raids and deportations that do not relate to our national security or to criminal activity until comprehensive immigration reform is completed and to suspend immediately all deportations of parents with U.S. citizen children; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports comprehensive immigration reform which promotes the reunification of families, provides legal status with a path to earned citizenship to the estimated 12 million undocumented workers.
Resolution #52: U.S. Immigration and Customs worksite enforcement
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls upon U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement to develop a national policy for its workforce enforcement activities that focuses on employers with a demonstrated history or reasonable suspicion of engaging in exploitative practices, such as violation of wage, hour or occupational safety laws and regulations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ICE not prioritize responsible employers for worksite enforcement activities before accurate verification systems are available or comprehensive immigration reform regularizes the status of workers on whom they rely; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ICE should strive to keep in close communication with the nation’s mayors when conducting worksite enforcement activities in their cities.
TOURISM, ARTS, PARKS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS COMMITTEE
Resolution #101: Urging the Administration and Congress to increase efforts and support for timely expansion of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the Congress, the Administration and the DHS to work cooperatively to quickly develop and implement the new security systems necessary to allow the continued expansion of the Visa Waiver Program for aspiring countries that meet admission requirements, such as South Korea.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that USCM urges the federal government to increase staffing for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at air, land and sea ports of entry.
