SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 44

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald P. Ortiz y Pino

A JOINT MEMORIAL

DENOUNCING ANTI-HISPANIC BIAS AND ACTIONS IN IMMIGRATION MATTERS AND REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ENACT COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM THAT PROTECTS AND PROMOTES AMERICA'S SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS.

     WHEREAS, security precautions are necessary to protect the integrity of the United States' borders and the well-being of the American people; and

     WHEREAS, the United States has every right as a sovereign nation to control its border and immigration policies; and

     WHEREAS, immigration policy should also promote and protect the civil and human rights of immigrants and their families and the economic security of the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the United States was founded and has flourished as a nation of immigrants, as President John F. Kennedy emphasized when he wrote, "Everywhere, immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life", and "Every aspect of the American economy has profited from the contributions of immigrants"; and

     WHEREAS, as a border state with Mexico, New Mexico is proud of its rich cultural traditions, largely based on Hispanic immigrants who have contributed immensely to the history of New Mexico and the accomplishments of its inhabitants at all levels of society and in all fields of endeavor; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature has a strong history of supporting anti-discrimination policies in the state; and

     WHEREAS, in response to the alleged threat that undocumented persons pose to American society, vigilante groups have formed, primarily in neighboring states, to conduct their own unauthorized patrols along the United States-Mexico border, and they use anti-immigrant and xenophobic rhetoric to exploit mainstream fears of unchecked immigration and promote a message of intolerance of immigrants from Mexico, Central America and South America and of undocumented persons and Hispanics in general; and

     WHEREAS, a safe and secure border cannot be achieved through civilian vigilantism; and

     WHEREAS, members of hate groups, such as neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, have expressed support for civilian patrol and anti-immigration groups through participation in patrols, protests and rallies and have used virulent anti-immigrant and anti-Hispanic rhetoric; and

     WHEREAS, the current chaotic system whereby immigrants embark on a dangerous journey to attempt to cross America's southern border fosters an environment in which smugglers and human traffickers flourish and in which extremist groups foment anti-immigrant bigotry; and

     WHEREAS, coordinated efforts by federal, state and local law enforcement officials are necessary to monitor the activities of civilian border patrols and extremist groups in order to maintain safety and public order and to protect and promote human and civil rights; and

     WHEREAS, as President John F. Kennedy wrote, "Immigration policy should be generous; it should be fair; it should be flexible"; and

     WHEREAS, effective comprehensive immigration reform should include border security technology and screening enhancements, improved databases, more extensive international coordination and more effective tracking of visas for persons permitted to enter the United States temporarily; and

     WHEREAS, immigration administration policies should recognize that basic human and civil rights of all people are deserving of respect and all immigration proceedings should meet high standards for compliance with the rule of law in all processes that relate to deportation, detention and immigration status; and

     WHEREAS, United States policy has historically made it a priority for immigrant families to remain together, but current backlogs in processing legitimate requests have kept families separated for many years and, in some cases, have split families apart; and

     WHEREAS, the United States economy and numerous responsible and well-intentioned employers depend on immigrant workers to fulfill what would otherwise be critically unmet needs, and a properly administered temporary or guest worker program can promote and protect the economic security of the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the concerns expressed in this memorial have been promoted by the anti-defamation league in a document entitled the "Declaration of Los Angeles", which has been endorsed by many groups, including the national council of la raza, the league of united Latin American citizens and the Mexican American legal defense and education fund, and approved by the state of California in its Assembly Joint Resolution No. 16 (Resolution Chapter 118, 2007);

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that anti-Hispanic bias and actions in immigration matters be hereby denounced; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that extremist groups that advocate bigotry or racism, armed citizen response or vigilantism in any form subvert the democratic process and fundamental values of the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature be requested to call upon the federal government to enact comprehensive and effective immigration reforms that:

     A. protect and provide for a safe and secure United States;

     B. recognize the basic human rights of all persons, including immigrants and undocumented persons, and hold to the highest standards of human rights and dignity all law enforcement and judicial processes that relate to deportation, detention and immigration status; and

     C. provide for a fair and effective temporary or guest worker program that protects and enhances the economic security of the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to all members of the New Mexico congressional delegation, to the speaker of the United States house of representatives, to the majority leader of the United States senate and to the president of the United States.

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