Cook County Leads the Nation in Support of Immigration Reform

Floor Speech

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, last week, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed unanimously an historic resolution in support of S. 1033 and H.R. 2330, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005. The resolution urges the passage of common sense and realistic legislation that gives a path to citizenship for America's hard-working immigrants. This is the first resolution of its kind in the nation and was supported by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, leaders from business, labor, community organizations and diverse faith traditions, as well as Governor Blagojevich.

America is a nation of immigrants. Nowhere is that more evident than in the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. We rely on the labor and other contributions of immigrant workers, especially undocumented immigrants. Twenty percent of jobs in Chicago's growing restaurant, hotel, and manufacturing sectors function because of immigrants who support our economy. I believe this diversity is a source of incredible strength. Immigrants who come to this country work hard to provide for and educate their children and have a better life.

The Cook County resolution recognizes the need for immigration reform. The current immigration system separates families, reduces the effectiveness of national security programs, allows labor abuses, and neglects the hard work and taxes that immigrants contribute to this county. In order for immigrants to succeed, they need immigration laws that make sense, that keep families together, that allow them to send their kids to college, that help them get better jobs and that ease their way to citizenship.

The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act is our opportunity to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Sponsored in the Senate by Senators McCain and Kennedy and in the House by my Illinois colleague Rep. Gutierrez, it would provide opportunities for immigrants to earn legal status and fully realize their American dream, while protecting our borders.

I support this bipartisan immigration reform plan because it includes access to earned legalization and citizenship, guarantees protections for immigrant and U.S. workers, and addresses the current backlogs of family members who have wiated up to ten years to reunite with their families in the United States. Immigrants have historically and continue to this day to contribute to our economy and to the diversity and well-being of our communities. It is time for a comprehensive immigration reform.

I am pleased that the Cook County Board of Commissioners has unanimously passed this historic resolution. I urge my colleagues to look at the resolution, which I hope is the first of many, and support H.R. 2330.Cook County Board of Commissioners Resolution--Resolution sponsored by the Honorable Roberto Maldonado, Cook County Commissioner

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