BILL REQ. #:  S-3641.1 

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     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO MICHAEL CHERTOFF, THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Due to valid national security concerns, immigration has become an urgent policy issue in the United States; and
     WHEREAS, The opportunity for employment is one of the most important factors in attracting illegal immigrants to this country; and
     WHEREAS, The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify a prospective employee's immigration status, and provides penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers; and
     WHEREAS, Some employers continue to encourage illegal immigration by knowingly employing undocumented workers because the penalties for noncomplying employers are low, and enforcement resources are limited; and
     WHEREAS, There are few protections to keep employers from exploiting those undocumented workers who are often willing to work in difficult conditions for very little compensation; and
     WHEREAS, Some employers are unknowingly employing illegal immigrants because the federal verification process is often unreliable due to document or identity fraud; and
     WHEREAS, We would like to prevent this kind of alien trafficking in Washington state, but are preempted by the federal government from regulating in this area;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that federal immigration legislation prohibiting alien trafficking be passed to improve this nation's security. The legislation should provide significantly stronger penalties and enforcement resources to pursue employers who knowingly take advantage of aliens who would seek a better life in our country, and aid their illegal status by hiring undocumented workers. In addition, employers should be assisted in complying with the law through an improved verification system.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, Michael Chertoff, the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.