PRINTER'S NO. 1648
No. 286 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY METCALFE, CREIGHTON, MUSTIO, ARGALL, BARRAR,
BELFANTI, BOBACK, CAPPELLI, CLYMER, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD,
GIBBONS, GOODMAN, HARHAI, HESS, JAMES, MILLARD, R. MILLER,
MOYER, O'NEILL, PAYNE, RAPP, READSHAW, REED, ROAE, ROHRER,
SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, SOLOBAY, STERN, R. STEVENSON,
SURRA, SWANGER, TRUE, VEREB, WALKO, WOJNAROSKI, YUDICHAK,
BOYD, DENLINGER, GINGRICH AND HARRIS, MAY 23, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, MAY 23, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Encouraging the United States Congress to prepare, introduce and
2 actively support an amendment to existing Federal laws to
3 address the influx of unauthorized aliens.
4 WHEREAS, There are legal procedures that immigrants must
5 follow if they seek to become United States citizens; and
6 WHEREAS, Cities, boroughs and townships in the Commonwealth
7 of Pennsylvania are experiencing an influx of unauthorized
8 aliens who are not following legal procedures; and
9 WHEREAS, Unauthorized aliens are placing demands on medical
10 facilities, housing facilities, educational institutions and
11 other municipal services; and
12 WHEREAS, Unauthorized aliens are receiving many educational,
13 medical and other benefits for free to the detriment of law-
14 abiding citizens who have to pay for their own benefits as well
15 as for the benefits being given to unauthorized aliens; and
1 WHEREAS, The influx of unauthorized aliens has led to a rise
2 in the crime rate, diverting police attention from other duties;
3 and
4 WHEREAS, Unscrupulous businesses are hiring unauthorized
5 aliens and taking away job opportunities from law-abiding
6 citizens; and
7 WHEREAS, The influx of unauthorized aliens is straining the
8 resources of municipalities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, The Federal Government is not enforcing the
11 immigration laws; and
12 WHEREAS, Under our system of federalism, the Federal
13 Government and state and local governments share powers and
14 authority; and
15 WHEREAS, Law-abiding citizens deserve to be protected from
16 the social and legal problems created in their communities by
17 unauthorized aliens and exacerbated by Federal nonenforcement of
18 immigration laws; therefore be it
19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
20 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania encourage the United States
21 Congress to prepare, introduce and actively support an amendment
22 to existing Federal immigration laws; and be it further
23 RESOLVED, That in addition to the existing inherent authority
24 of state and local police to make immigration arrests, the
25 amendment should permit state and local police to transfer all
26 arrested unauthorized aliens to the Federal Government, creating
27 a legal obligation on the part of the Federal Government to take
28 custody in all cases; and be it further
29 RESOLVED, That the amendment permit state and local
30 prosecutors to seek appropriate criminal charges and deportation
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1 of unauthorized aliens, all without prior approval by the
2 Federal Government; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, That the amendment permit county judges to hold
4 deportation hearings and order deportation when appropriate, all
5 without prior approval by the Federal Government; and be it
6 further
7 RESOLVED, That the amendment provide that any businesses
8 hiring unauthorized aliens be fined and, in addition to fines,
9 be required to reimburse the state and local governments for the
10 cost of arrest, detention, prosecution and deportation of any
11 unauthorized aliens hired by the businesses; and be it further
12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives demand full
13 cooperation among our Federal, state and local governments in
14 eliminating all economic attractions and incentives, including
15 public benefits, welfare, education and employment
16 opportunities, for unauthorized aliens, as well as securing our
17 borders against unlawful invasion; and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That the Federal Government reimburse the state and
19 local governments for the cost of arrest, detention, prosecution
20 and deportation of any unauthorized aliens for costs not covered
21 by any businesses hiring unauthorized aliens; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to the
23 United States Congressional delegation and the President of the
24 United States of America.
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