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

WHEREAS, there are roughly 11,000,000 illegal immigrants living in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, there are ongoing efforts in the U.S. Congress to implement measures to deport certain immigrants who do not have proper documentation, which would pose immense difficulties on other immigrants, in the name of national security; 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 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, history has shown that attacks against immigrants and minorities are unconstitutional as they arbitrarily deprive a group of U.S. residents of basic constitutional rights, as in the following cases:

and

WHEREAS, the difficulties faced by those seeking political asylum and the children born in Hawaii to parents given Temporary Protected Status who now face possible deportation, shed a human light on policies that can lead to the unjustified loss of highly-valued Hawaii residents; and

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

WHEREAS, the proposed Hawaii Dream Act, would support the permitting of qualifying immigrants who have graduated from a local public high school to pay in-state college tuition rates; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Legislature hereby urges the President of the United States and United States Congress to legalize illegal immigrants, and requests the federal and state departments of health to provide medical services to this population in medical emergencies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature believes that criminalizing those U.S. citizens who work with and for immigrants, and immigrants themselves, is not a viable long-term solution to concerns over immigration and will continue separating families while preventing civic participation by all community members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature hereby expresses its strong support for comprehensive immigration reform that provides just and humane treatment for all immigrants, including granting permanent status for immigrants already here; and

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

Report Title:

Illegal Immigrants