BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SJR 2|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SJR 2
Author: Vidak (R), et al.
Amended: 3/19/15
Vote: 21
SENATE FLOOR: 31-0, 2/13/15
AYES: Allen, Anderson, Bates, Beall, Block, De León, Fuller,
Gaines, Galgiani, Hall, Hancock, Hertzberg, Hill, Hueso, Huff,
Jackson, Lara, Leno, Leyva, Liu, McGuire, Mendoza, Monning,
Nguyen, Nielsen, Pavley, Roth, Stone, Vidak, Wieckowski, Wolk
NO VOTE RECORDED: Berryhill, Cannella, Hernandez, Mitchell,
Morrell, Pan
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 3/26/15
SUBJECT: Immigration
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution urges the Congress and the President of
the United States to work together to create a comprehensive and
workable approach to reform the nations immigration system
according to specified principles.
Assembly Amendments add coauthors and make technical changes.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
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1.This country was built by immigrants seeking a better life.
2.The United States Congress last enacted major immigration
legislation more than 25 years ago. Since that time,
fragmented attempts at immigration reform have failed to
create the rational and effective systems needed to maintain
international competitiveness. Whether in industries like
agriculture, which requires large numbers of workers able to
perform physically demanding tasks, or in industries like
technology or health care, where the demand for employees with
advanced degrees is projected to exceed supply within the next
five years, immigration policy must be designed to respond to
emerging labor needs in all sectors of the United States
economy.
3.California has the largest share of immigrants in the country.
These immigrants are a vital and productive part of our
state's economy and are active in a variety of industries,
including technology, biotech, hospitality, agriculture,
construction, services, transportation, and textiles. They
also represent a large share of our new small business owners
and create economic prosperity and needed jobs for everyone.
4.Comprehensive immigration reform should include a reasonable
and timely path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who
are already living and working in the United States.
Immigration reform should also include comprehensive
background checks, require demonstrated proficiency in English
and payment of all current and back taxes, and have the
flexibility to respond to emerging business trends.
5.Increased immigration enforcement has given the federal
government the ability to prioritize the deportation of
lawbreakers and dangerous individuals and to ensure our
border's security. Nevertheless, this enforcement should not
be done in an inhumane way.
6.Reform should include an expedited process for those residing
abroad and applying for legal visas. Additionally, reform
should offer permanent residency opportunities to
international students in American universities who are highly
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trained and in high demand, and in so doing avoid an
intellectual vacuum after their graduation. The United States
loses large numbers of necessary, highly skilled workers due
to the lengthy and complicated processes currently in place to
get or keep a legal residency option.
7.Reform should recognize the societal and cultural benefits of
keeping the family unit intact. The system should take into
account special circumstances surrounding candidates for
probationary legal status, such as those of minors who were
brought to the country as children or workers whose labor is
essential to maintain our country's competitiveness.
This resolution urges the Congress and the President of the
United States to work together to create a comprehensive and
workable approach to reform the nation's immigration system
according to specified principles.
Prior Legislation
SJR 8 (Correa, Resolution Chapter 102, Statutes of 2013) was
similar to this resolution.
AJR 3 (Alejo, Resolution Chapter 77, Statutes of 2013) specifies
goals for the reform of the nation's immigration system, and
urges the Congress and the President of the United States to
take a humane and just approach to solving the nation's broken
immigration system.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified3/26/15)
AFSCME, AFL-CIO
California Communities United Institute
Western Growers Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified3/26/15)
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None received
Prepared by:Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520
4/8/15 15:13:06
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