Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect SJR005S01.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

First Substitute S.J.R. 5

Senator Gene Davis proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO

             2     
ADDRESS CITIZEN CHILDREN OF

             3     
UNDOCUMENTED PARENTS

             4     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             5     
STATE OF UTAH

             6     
Sponsor: Gene Davis

             7      Ed P. Mayne              8     
             9      LONG TITLE
             10      General Description:
             11          This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the United States Congress to review and
             12      modify current immigration laws pertaining to United States Citizen children of
             13      undocumented parents.
             14      Highlighted Provisions:
             15          This resolution:
             16          .    urges the United States Congress to review and modify United States Immigration
             17      law to minimize the circumstances under which United States Citizen children can
             18      be separated from their undocumented parents.
             19      Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21     
             22      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             23          WHEREAS, current federal law recognizes a child of undocumented parents that is
             24      born in the United States as an American Citizen;


             25          WHEREAS, if undocumented parents do not qualify to remain in the United States,


             26      they face deportation and separation from their United States Citizen children, who often live
             27      with a relative or become a ward of the state;
             28          WHEREAS, deportation can only be avoided if the undocumented parents can establish
             29      that their child's physical, mental, or emotional condition is such that separation from the
             30      parents would cause significant damage to the child, a high standard that is rarely met;
             31          WHEREAS, United States Citizen children who choose not to be separated from their
             32      parents must leave the United States with their parents;
             33          WHEREAS, in many cases, undocumented families have been in the United States for
             34      many years and have paid taxes;
             35          WHEREAS, the United States Congress should review the current immigration laws to
             36      determine how family separations and other tragedies linked to undocumented parents can be
             37      reduced;
             38          WHEREAS, federal immigration law already provides that any undocumented parent
             39      that has committed an aggravated felony under a federal law does not qualify for the
             40      immigration adjustment;
             41          WHEREAS, federal law also requires that an undocumented parent be of good moral
             42      character;
             43          WHEREAS, immigration law should provide guidance in the best interest for United
             44      States Citizen children;
             45          WHEREAS, any child born in the United States prior to 1999 should have the right to
             46      petition for their family to receive immigration status, not amnesty; and
             47          WHEREAS, these steps would address the best interest of the child by making it
             48      possible for families to stay together:
             49          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Legislature of the state of Utah urges
             50      the United States Congress to review and modify United States Immigration law so as to
             51      minimize the circumstances under which United States Citizen children are separated from
             52      their undocumented parents.
             53          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Majority
             54      Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,
             55      and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.


*SJR005S01*

[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]