RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, throughout its history, the United States has benefited from the hard work and contributions made by immigrants to the cultural, social, and economic vibrancy of our society; and

WHEREAS, at present, there are approximately 11,000,000 undocumented immigrants residing in the United States, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding, hard workers who pay taxes; and

WHEREAS, there are ongoing efforts in the United States Congress to implement measures to deport certain immigrants who do not have proper documentation and strip them of due process of law in the name of national security; and

WHEREAS, these measures would pose immense difficulties to other immigrants, including immigrants seeking political asylum and the children of parents with temporary protected status who now face possible deportation; and

WHEREAS, this attack on immigrants is an attack on the rights of all American citizens, including our fundamental right to fair and equal treatment; and

WHEREAS, tens of thousands of immigrants and their supporters all across the country have already taken to the streets to rally for these rights; and

WHEREAS, one solution proposed by the United States Senate is to have undocumented workers register with the government, pay a significant fine, pass security checks, and earn the privilege of permanent legal status over time; and

WHEREAS, under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, the public, including undocumented immigrants, is entitled to emergency medical treatment at hospitals that offer emergency services, regardless of ability to pay; and

WHEREAS, health care providers do not always receive adequate reimbursement for these services, thereby causing undue financial hardship to the facilities; and

WHEREAS, each year the United State Social Security Administration maintains billions of dollars of Social Security contributions in an account for W-2 forms that cannot be matched to the correct social security number; and

WHEREAS, these funds are believed to be attributable, in large part, to undocumented workers who will never claim their benefits; and

WHEREAS, these funds could be used to fund the reimbursement of health care providers that provide emergency medical treatment to undocumented immigrants and others to ensure this population continues to receive emergency medical treatment; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has played a leading role in the protection of immigrant rights and has consistently promoted tolerance and respect for all residents, including immigrants and their families; and

WHEREAS, the State should denounce far-reaching and harsh federal legislation that will do nothing to enhance national security and instead, should support a comprehensive policy that will create a pathway for undocumented immigrants to legalize their status; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature hereby supports comprehensive immigration reform that provides just and humane treatment for all immigrants and urges the United States President and Congress to create a pathway for undocumented immigrants to legalize their status; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature requests the State and the federal government to adequately reimburse health care providers so that they can continue to provide emergency medical treatment to this population; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, President of the United States Senate, and members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

Report Title:

Illegal Immigrants