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State Legislators in 16 States Announce Resolutions in Support of Immigration Reform

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Today the Progressive States Network, leading national group of pro-immigrant state legislators, announced that state lawmakers from 16 different states have either introduced or plan to introduce resolutions in support of comprehensive immigration reform.

As State Senator Angela Giron (Colorado), Chair of the National Immigration Working Group said:

The fact that so many state lawmakers are now standing up in support of comprehensive immigration reform should send a message to Congress: Americans support comprehensive reform that has a path to citizenship for all 11 million aspiring citizens currently living in the shadows that is as inclusive and accessible as possible.  Just three years after SB1070, we are now seeing a groundswell of support from the states for immigration reform with a path to citizenship that is bipartisan in nature.

Resolutions in support of comprehensive immigration reform have already been introduced in ArizonaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiOklahomaOregon, and Texas, and have already passed at least one chamber in New JerseyNew Mexico, and Nevada. Resolutions in New Jersey (AR 142 and SR 95) and New Mexico (SJM 52) garnered bipartisan support, and just last week, Nevada’s state Senate approved a resolution (SJR 15) unanimously.

Many of the resolutions call for immigration reform that includes (as the Nevada resolution says) “a realistic pathway to citizenship for all hardworking and taxpaying aspiring citizens who live in this country and meet reasonable requirements.”

As State Senator Gustavo Rivera (New York), also a member of the National Immigration Working Group, in a statement:

 We need comprehensive immigration reform that is effective, meets our economic and social needs, and honors American values. We need reform that establishes a direct path to citizenship and that gives our youth a future by including the DREAM Act.  I am proud to support any and all efforts to push for a comprehensive bill that will deliver the change needed to support our communities and our nation.

Here’s a list of the states that have seen resolutions introduced or plan to introduce them:

Introduced:
Arizona: SR 10001
Florida: S 816
Georgia: HR 912
Hawaii: HCR 67
Oklahoma: HR 1014
Oregon: HJM 11
Texas: HCR 44 and SCR 15

Passed at least one chamber:
New Jersey: AR 142 and SR 95
New Mexico: HM 30 and SJM 52
Nevada: SJR 15

Announced:
Colorado (Sen. Giron)
Illinois (Rep. Berrios)
Missouri (Rep. Gina Mitten)
New York
North Carolina (Rep. Glazier)
North Dakota (Sen. Mathern)