IN SUPPORT OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

WHEREAS, the United States of America is a nation built on successive waves of immigration that have enriched our country throughout its history; and

WHEREAS, the legal process for immigration has become increasingly convoluted and unequal over the past 50 years, resulting in waiting periods for immigration and naturalization that can reach up to 20 years; and

WHEREAS, as of 2014, there are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in this country; and

WHEREAS, there are workers in the United States who still participate in society without equal rights or protections; and

WHEREAS, there are workers in the United States who live in constant fear of being deported and separated from their families; and

WHEREAS, separation of families by deportation strains government services and resources; and

WHEREAS, there are workers in the United States who are still exploited because they are denied coverage under fundamental labor laws; and

WHEREAS, the present economic system incentivizes hiring undocumented workers over those with legal status through wage disparity; and

WHEREAS, the continued existence of the present immigration system perpetuates economic and social inequality; and

WHEREAS, members of the legislative and executive branches of government have not followed up on promises to address comprehensive immigration reform; and

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO has already resolved to support comprehensive immigration reform:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will support comprehensive immigration reform that complements strong, well-resourced, and effective labor standards enforcement initiatives that prioritize workers' rights and workplace protections; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will actively lobby in favor of comprehensive immigration reform at the state and federal levels; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT calls for an immediate end to the deportation of all children including the refugee children from Central America; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT calls for the passage of a federal Dream Act, including a comprehensive pathway to citizenship.