HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2002-026 Support of Immigrant WorkersG~ /~ --c.~~
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Supporting Orange County Immigrant Workers
WHEREAS, immigrant workers are increasingly essential to filing a wide range of
jobs in Orange County, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, employed undocumented workers pay federal, state, and local
taxes, including Social Security and Medicare; and '
WHEREAS, the buying power of undocumented workers is substantial, with the
buying power of Latinos in North Carolina exceeding $2.3 billion (as documented
by the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, Inc.); and
WHEREAS, national immigration policy is in conflict with our current workforce
needs; and
WHEREAS, recent changes in Social Security Administration practices have
resulted in dozens of immigrants losing their jobs in Orange County and
throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, local governments bear the significant infrastructure and operational
costs of providing services to all their residents; and
WHEREAS, not providing a legal means of working and living in this country
creates a black market for documents which threatens national security and the
personal welfare of immigrants;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners agree to:
1) Encourage County staff to work with local non-profit service
organizations to establish a"safety net" for local unemployed workers
and their families;
2) Co-sponsor an upcoming forum on Latinos, "EI Dilema Latino: Seeking
Local Solutions," convened by the Chapel Hill News and tentatively
scheduled for the evening of May 1 St; and
3) Call upon the United States Government to reform immigration laws in
order to provide undocumented immigrants with legal permission to
work and live in our community and institute a long-term immigration
policy that addresses the economic and national security needs of the
United States.
This the 16th day of April 2002
Barry J~e~66s, ir ~
Orange ounty B o Commissioners