NLC Renews Call for Federal Action on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

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Jul 10, 2010, 06:39 ET

RIVERSIDE, Calif., July 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Recognizing that immigrants have strengthened and will continue to strengthen our country and our communities in innumerable ways, socially, culturally, and economically, at the conclusion of its summer Board meeting in Riverside, Ca., the National League of Cities' Board of Directors voiced its opposition to Arizona's immigration law and renewed its call for Congress and the Administration to act immediately to enact comprehensive immigration reform.

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Said NLC President Ronald O. Loveridge, mayor, Riverside, Ca., "It is important the nation adopt an immigration policy that advances the highest and best interests of all residents. Immigration has supported our nation over many decades and has been a source for economic growth and innovation for our cities and the nation. The debate over the Arizona law underscores the urgent need to move forward now with comprehensive reform at the federal level."

Also as part of its meeting, the Board of Directors, which several years ago had decided to hold its 2011 annual Congress of Cities conference, in Phoenix, Arizona, reaffirmed the decision to stand with and show support for Arizona cities who are opposing ethnic and racial profiling.

In calling for federal action, NLC supports legislation that contains the following key principals:

Providing greater border security and enforcement;

Recognizing the human and civil rights of both citizens and non-citizens;

Strengthening penalties against employers who knowingly employ undocumented workers;

Creating a program for the admission of temporary workers based upon the needs of the economy and over time qualifying for legal permanent residency;

Providing adequate fiscal support for city and state governments that are disproportionately shouldering the costs of the current broken immigration system; and

Establishing a process whereby the 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States may earn legalized status through payment of appropriate fees and back taxes, background checks, absence of criminal or gang activity, consistent work history, meeting English and civics requirements, and "waiting their place in line."

NLC's Comprehensive Immigration Reform Resolution may be found on page 10 at: http://bit.ly/cGGkj4.

The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

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SOURCE National League of Cities