House Resolution 104 - Introduced HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 104 BY JACOBY A Resolution calling on the United States congressional 1 delegation from Iowa to support federal protections 2 for children of long-term visa holders. 3 WHEREAS, more than 250,000 individuals living in the 4 United States are children of legal immigrants who were 5 brought to the United States lawfully at an average 6 age of five and have been raised and educated in our 7 country; and 8 WHEREAS, these individuals represent the very 9 essence of the American experience, grow up in 10 the United States, and attend American schools and 11 universities; and 12 WHEREAS, barriers in our immigration system prevent 13 many legal immigrants from obtaining permanent 14 residency status, and these legal immigrants live, 15 work, create jobs, and raise families on long-term work 16 visas or small business visas; and 17 WHEREAS, these barriers result in the children of 18 these long-term visa holders losing their lawful status 19 upon their 21st birthday, at which time they lose their 20 opportunity to receive a green card with their family 21 and are expected to self-deport with their previous 22 time spent in the country rendered useless in the eyes 23 of America’s immigration system; and 24 WHEREAS, if no action is taken to address this 25 issue, it may eventually force over 250,000 individuals 26 to self-deport, including approximately 1,000 27 individuals from the state of Iowa; and 28 -1- LSB 5200YH (4) 90 ss/jm 1/ 4

H.R. 104 WHEREAS, the United States Congress has heard 1 testimony through congressional hearings from two 2 Iowans impacted by this issue; and 3 WHEREAS, these immigration policies drive 4 a significant loss in human capital in Iowa, 5 harming long-term domestic, economic, and security 6 interests; and 7 WHEREAS, workforce shortages in Iowa, especially 8 in health care and the sciences, demand the skills 9 and talents of children of long-term visa holders, 87 10 percent of whom are in the health care and science 11 fields; and 12 WHEREAS, numerous employers, organizations, 13 businesses, community leaders, faith leaders, mayors, 14 law enforcement officers, and former national security 15 officials on a bipartisan basis have recognized the 16 importance of the children of long-term visa holders to 17 Iowa’s economic interests; and 18 WHEREAS, the American Action Forum estimates the 19 economic cost of compelling hundreds of thousands of 20 children of long-term visa holders who have received 21 the investment of American public education and 22 public service resources to self-deport exceeds $30 23 billion; and 24 WHEREAS, the interests of the Iowa General 25 Assembly should be reflected in the priorities of our 26 representatives in state and federal government; and 27 WHEREAS, the United States Congress has introduced 28 the bipartisan America’s Children Act (H.R. 3442) and 29 the Protecting Children of Long-Term Visa Holders 30 -2- LSB 5200YH (4) 90 ss/jm 2/ 4

H.R. 104 Act (S. 1667) to ensure that children of long-term 1 visa holders who have been raised and educated in 2 America can remain in this country upon their 21st 3 birthday; and 4 WHEREAS, the Honorable Joni Ernst, United States 5 Senator, and the Honorable Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 6 Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn, and Randy Feenstra, United 7 States Representatives, have shown their commitment to 8 the people of Iowa by cosponsoring the legislation; NOW 9 THEREFORE, 10 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 11 That the residents of Iowa extend their heartfelt 12 appreciation and gratitude to their elected officials 13 for their support and sponsorship of the legislation. 14 Their dedication to the welfare and interests of 15 the people of Iowa is commendable, and their actions 16 exemplify true representation in the United States 17 Congress; and 18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of 19 Representatives urges the Iowa congressional delegation 20 to actively support and work toward passing the 21 bipartisan legislation, which aims to break down 22 barriers for children of long-term employment-based 23 visa holders who have been lawfully brought to America, 24 and raised and educated in this country. The Iowa 25 General Assembly also urges the Iowa congressional 26 delegation to support inclusion of any provisions in 27 the end-of-year bills to provide protections for these 28 children of long-term visa holders; and 29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of 30 -3- LSB 5200YH (4) 90 ss/jm 3/ 4