A resolution requesting Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker and the Davidson County Congressional Delegation to introduce and support comprehensive legislation to address illegal immigration issues.

WHEREAS, it has been reported that our nation's illegal immigration population is between 15 and 20 million individuals, with at least 500,000 new illegal aliens entering the United States each year; and

WHEREAS, many hard-working illegal immigrants in this country seeking to make better lives for themselves and their families are exploited by employers, paid inadequate wages, and denied benefits; and

WHEREAS, our nation and our state are facing ever-increasing problems associated with rising healthcare costs, lack of adequate health insurance for our citizens, and additional needs for funding for our public schools; and

WHEREAS, the social expenses of illegal immigration for health care, education, and law enforcement are occurring at the rate of $30 billion a year according to a recent economic study of the impact of illegal immigration; and

WHEREAS, due to its abundance of construction-related jobs, the Nashville area has become a magnet for illegal immigrants in recent years; and

WHEREAS, the rising cost of providing government services to illegal immigrants is having a tremendous negative impact on our state and local government; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the increasing number of criminal offenders arrested in Nashville that are undocumented aliens, Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall recently gained approval from the federal government for Nashville's participation in the 287(g) program, which will provide enhanced communication and cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement to help identify and initiate deportation proceedings on criminal illegal immigrants; and

WHEREAS, recent polls have documented the public's frustration with the federal government's lack of enforcement of immigration laws and the public's desire for serious immigration reform; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the United States Congress and the Tennessee General Assembly take whatever action is necessary to control the problem of illegal immigration.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, and the Davidson County Congressional Delegation to introduce and support comprehensive legislation to address illegal immigration issues.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, and to each member of the Davidson County Congressional Delegation.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Brenda Gilmore, Jim Hodge