The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #17 on Resolution C033 (Immigration and Undocumented Workers) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C033)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention urge the Congress of the United States to expand the Temporary Workers Program to cover all persons who enter this country to do legitimate work. Specifically, that the expanded program include the following benefit for the workers: Social Security numbers, workers' compensation, health and pension benefits, the right to change employers, as well as the options of applying for United States citizenship after a period of probation should they so choose. That this expansion of the Temporary Workers Program should include those who are currently here as undocumented workers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention further urge the Congress to provide access to education, and particularly post-secondary education, for the children of undocumented workers; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to all Representatives and Senators, serving in the Congress of the United States.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention urge that the Congress of the United States enact legislation to expand the temporary workers' programs to include all persons currently residing in the United States engaged in meaningful labor, as well as overseas workers offered employment in the United States through formal contractual arrangements in response to the labor needs of specific sectors of the economy; and be it further

Resolved, That such temporary workers receive such compensation and benefits for themselves and their dependents living with them that parallel those available to other legal residents such as the federally mandated minimum hourly wage, social security, driver's license, medical care and education; and be it further

Resolved, That based upon a specified period of residence in the United States, such workers have the option of adjusting to permanent resident status, which could lead to naturalization; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be sent to concerned members of Congress and state legislatures as an expression of The Episcopal Church.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #124)