IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 19 

Expressing the sense of the Congress that State and local governments 

should be supported for taking actions to discourage illegal immigration 

and that legislation should be enacted to ease the burden on State 

and local governments for taking such actions. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 9, 2009 

Mr. POE of Texas submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined 

by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 

within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Congress that State and local 

governments should be supported for taking actions to 

discourage illegal immigration and that legislation should 

be enacted to ease the burden on State and local governments for taking such actions. 

Whereas the Federal Government has failed to take adequate 

measures to curb illegal immigration; 

Whereas the failure by the Federal Government to curb illegal immigration has placed, and continues to place, a 

substantial burden on State and local government agencies to address illegal immigration; 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
2 

•HCON 19 IH 

Whereas many State and local governments have actively 

worked to discourage illegal immigration and to assist in 

the enforcement of the immigration laws of the United 

States; 

Whereas in 2008, 1,305 immigration-related bills were introduced and 205 were enacted by State legislatures 

throughout the country, an increase of over 300 percent 

of the bills introduced and 400 percent of the bills enacted since 2005; 

Whereas such actions and assistance have come at great expense to State and local governments; 

Whereas numerous States governments, including those in 

Arizona, California, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, 

Texas, and Virginia, have considered legislation or placed 

initiatives and referendums on the ballot to enhance the 

ability of State and local agencies to discourage illegal 

immigration and to ease the burden placed on the States; 

Whereas numerous local governments, including those in 

Farmers Branch, Texas, Hazelton, Pennsylvania, Nashville, Tennessee, Valley Park, Missouri, Escondido, California, Prince William County, Virginia, and Suffolk 

County, New York, have introduced ordinances to enhance the ability of local governments to discourage illegal immigration and to ease the burden placed on local 

governments; and 

Whereas State and local governments continue to be confronted with the issue of illegal immigration without the 

prospect of immediate relief from the Federal Government: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that— 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
3 

•HCON 19 IH 

1 (1) State and local governments should be sup2 ported for taking actions to discourage illegal immi3 gration; 

4 (2) current laws governing enforcement of the 

5 immigration laws of the United States should be en6 forced to the highest extent of the law; and 

7 (3) legislation to enhance border security and 

8 the enforcement of immigration laws should be 

9 passed quickly in order to ease the burden on State 

10 and local governments. 

Æ 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS