NAACP Reaffirms its Call for Genuine Immigration Reform and its Opposition to Immigration Reform that Relies Solely on Increased Enforcement or Results in Racial Profiling

Adopted as amended

WHEREAS, our nation's immigration policies must be consistent with humanitarian values and with the need to treat all individuals with respect and dignity; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP strongly believes that any immigration "reform" must address current problems in our immigration system; it cannot focus solely on enforcement; and 

WHEREAS, we must move away from the politics of scape-goating immigrants, and must instead look at the needs of our nation and our people in a larger context; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP is opposed to local, state and federal laws which play on citizens' fears and xenophobia and may lead to racial profiling or the denial of a person's basic rights; and 

WHEREAS, the state of Arizona recently passed SB 1070, which legalizes racial profiling and allows law enforcement officers to use racial profiling to target entire communities; and 

WHEREAS, SB 1070 is a poor and ineffective measure that does not address the root causes of illegal immigration in America; and 

WHEREAS, given our Nation's sorry history of legalized and entrenched racism, Arizona's SB 1070 establishes a dangerous precedent of not only codifying racial profiling, but requiring it; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP Action Item of 2006 as approved by the National Board of Directors calls for our nation's immigration policies to be consistent with deeply held NAACP humanitarian and civil rights values and with the need to treat all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender or religion with respect and dignity; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP Action Item of 2006 states that immigration reform efforts must be coupled with policies to promote meaningful job training programs, job creation programs and small business development, as well as federal education assistance so that all Americans regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion or national origin will have an opportunity to advance in living wage positions. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP strongly opposes Arizona's recently passed law (SB 1070) which allows local law enforcement officers to carry out federal immigration enforcement tasks and arrest anyone they suspect is in this country illegally; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP does reaffirm the 2006 Action Item on Immigration and calls for Immigration Reform which is consistent with deeply held NAACP humanitarian and civil rights values and with the need to treat all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender or religion with respect and dignity; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP supports a comprehensive reform of our Nation's Immigration laws which puts a premium on keeping family units together and on rewarding hard work and good behavior; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls upon the United States Congress and President Obama to enact, as soon as possible, a comprehensive reform of our Nation's immigration laws that puts a premium on the humane and inclusive policies.