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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO PROVIDE PAROLE AND WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AND TO SUPPORT THE RETURN OF DEPORTED U.S. VETERANS TO OUR COUNTRY
WHEREAS, the federal government has failed to pass legislation to support the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States of America, including the estimated 257,000 Cook County residents, with a pathway to citizenship; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, the legislative strategy to expand immigration parole for undocumented immigrants that includes work authorization for 6.5 million members of the community was introduced during the budget reconciliation process of U.S. President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better legislative plan; and
WHEREAS, despite its popularity, the Senate parliamentarian ruled against the inclusion of the parole process in the plan, leaving further uncertainty for millions because of a procedural technicality; and
WHEREAS, Black and brown undocumented essential workers were on the front lines of their respective sectors as business and institutional operations were forced to pause during the COVID-19 pandemic and have experienced the highest rates of infection and death; and
WHEREAS, these eligible undocumented immigrants include members of our communities in Cook County, many of whom are finding ways to work and pay their taxes despite their legal barriers; and
WHEREAS, millions of immigrants have, and continue to be, deported, with a majority of them never committing a crime; and
WHEREAS, while the exact number of U.S. veterans is not known, as many as hundreds or thousands, including those with disabilities and severe PTSD, have been deported; and
WHEREAS, on July 21, 2023, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, along with 38 other members of Congress, many of whom are members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued a letter to President Biden urging him to expand parole with work authorization to both new migrants and long-term contributing immigrant workers including those who are DACA-eligible, farm workers, and essential workers.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Cook County President and the Board of Commissioners do hereby request President Joe Biden and members of the Illinois Congressional delegation strongly advocate for a legislative strategy to grant parole with work authorization for eligible undocumented immigrants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this honorable body does hereby request for the Office of the President of the United States of America to work with the families and advocates of the deported U.S. veterans for a strategy to provide them pardons for their safe return home to the U.S.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this honorable body recognizes that this strategy is one of the legislative remedies possible to provide temporary relief for the undocumented immigrant community, and that comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship for them should continue to be, to a great extent, a priority for the federal government; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be sent to the Illinois Congressional Delegation representing our Cook County residents and the Office of the President of the United States.
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