Memorial calling on federal government to address immigration reform passes Senate

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A memorial that calls on the federal government to address immigration reform passed the Senate in a 25-10 vote after a lengthy and at times, emotional debate Thursday evening. Passing a memorial does not mean it will become law, it simply sends a message, and in this case, to Idaho's Congressional delegation.

The bill's statement of purpose says, "The Federal government has failed to meet its responsibility to secure our Nation, at and within its borders, and has failed to provide a guest worker Visa program that can meet the labor demands of domestic business, particularly as relates to year-round agriculture, construction, food processing, manufacturing and hospitality industries. This Memorial expresses the desire of Idaho citizens and business that the Federal immigration system be modernized to secure the border, to provide for a legal workforce of guest workers, and asks that Idaho’s delegation become National leaders on this topic."

The memorial points out as of 2018 data, there are an estimated 11.4 million undocumented people in the United States, and roughly 2.4 million are employed in agriculture, and that the vast majority of them "have jobs, are hard workers, pay taxes, and are critical to the economic production of domestic business, and further it would be impractical to incarcerate or deport a class of people uniformly and without regard to circumstances."

Several lawmakers who opposed the memorial said they liked most of it, but were hung up on one section in particular that says, "An effective process by which persons currently present in the United States without lawful status and who are gainfully employed and their immediate family can obtain work authorization or residency status, with out a pathway to United States citizenship, provided said persons have no criminal history beyond their immigration-related violations, and provided further that an appropriate fine is assessed and paid in satisfaction of their immigration-related violations..."

Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, argues that's amnesty, and said it's a "slap in the face" to her family members who "had to get in line and had to go through that process and do it legally."

"Now we're going to ask [taxpayers] also to continue, and we're actually encouraging them to foot the bill for others that are here, that are not here legally, and to take care of their needs as well. I believe that if the laws on our books that we currently have were followed, we wouldn't have this problem that we're in," Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton said.

Undocumented people working in the U.S. are also taxpayers.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, refuted Nichols' claim and said SJM 101 does not offer any sort of pardon or forgiveness for the unlawful entry into the United States.

Co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, said in a statement prior to debate, “To continue to misrepresent the clear wording in SJM101 is dishonest, and it appears to be a fundraising opportunity for a particular organization."

Boyle pointed out The Idaho Republican Party platform states, "we believe in a strong and viable agriculture industry we believe Idaho’s farmers and ranchers should be able to compete freely and trade fairly in foreign markets we believe that securing the national border must be a priority for our country" and said that's what SJM101 does.

"It's not just about agriculture. Go around to our hotels. Go around to our construction sites - house building, commercial building. Who do you see working? Some would say, well they're replacing workers. I don't see too many of our people, by our people I mean Caucasian people going out and dealing with the issue of manure, and milking cows, and trying to raise pigs, trying to work in the orchards, trying to work in the fields when it's 110 degrees. You don't see that do you?" Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder said. "And yet we need to feed ourselves. We need food security."

The Idaho Dairymen's Association released a statement applauding the senate for passing SJM 101.

“Senate Joint Memorial 101 is a good first step for Idaho in an effort to make a positive impact on our country’s immigration reform,” said Rick Naerebout, Idaho Dairymen’s Association Chief Executive Officer. “Idaho is the third largest producer of milk in the nation, and our year-round business requires a steady and dependable workforce, just like our fellow agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and hospitality employers. I am disappointed in a handful of Senators for misrepresenting the plain language of SJM101 and ignoring the critical need for immigration reform that would benefit all Idahoans and Americans.”

Sen. Guthrie also released a statement following the vote.

“Our constituents have made it loud and clear that they need our Congressional delegation in D.C. to stand up and lead the way toward a legal, effective guest worker program that meets labor needs and the challenges of our year-round employers. It is time for President Biden and Congress to do what is right for Idaho and America," Guthrie said.

You can read the full memorial here. It now heads to the House for consideration.