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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Steinborn

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/2/2007

HM 15

SHORT TITLE Develop National Immigrant Worker Program

SB

ANALYST Schuss

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Memorial 15 requests that congress develop and implement a national immigrant worker

program.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Immigrant labor from Mexico has a beneficial effect on New Mexico’s economy, it provides an

important resource in many industries prevalent in New Mexico. A national immigrant worker

program is needed to help facilitate legal access to individuals who are vital in helping to sustain

agriculture and other important industries in New Mexico.

A national immigrant worker program would enable border enforcement efforts to focus

resources on the apprehension of national security threats, human smugglers and illegal narcotics

transfers. The program would help prevent the unnecessary loss of life of undocumented

immigrants seeking illegal entry into the United States for employment. A national immigrant

worker program must also include provisions to protect workers’ rights.

The State of New Mexico requests that the United States Congress take expeditious action

developing and implementing a national immigrant worker program.

BS/mt