HJ0082 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0082 LRB102 26563 MST 37252 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The last four decades have represented a period of significant demographic change in the United States; now more than ever, Black immigrants compose a significant percentage of both the immigrant and Black populations in the U.S. overall; and

WHEREAS, Black immigrants face disproportionate interactions with the criminal justice system and encounter more discrimination based on their race as well as immigrant status; just as African Americans suffer disproportionately high arrest, prosecution, and incarceration rates, so too are Black immigrants, despite no evidence that they engage in more criminalized activities in comparison to any other racial group; Black immigrants are also disproportionately impacted by the compounding impact of the immigration enforcement system, where numerous federal agencies and programs work in conjunction with local law enforcement to criminalize, detain, and deport immigrants; these disparities in policy and law concerning Black immigrants are rooted in racism and unjustly target Black immigrants at all stages of the process; and

WHEREAS, The Biden Administration has pledged to develop a pathway to lawful permanent status for undocumented immigrants, but advocates are asking how President Biden will address the overall plight of Black immigrants; and

WHEREAS, As the number of Black immigrants living in the United States continues to rise, debates around immigration must acknowledge and rectify the injustice inherent in the system; and

WHEREAS, There is much work to be done to address the struggles of Black immigrants, who have been left out of policy decisions for too long; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to protecting Black immigrants; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Task Force on Black Immigrants is created and charged with the task of studying the state of Black immigrants in Illinois and providing recommendations on how to assist them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following 16 members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House, who shall serve as co-chair;

(2) One member appointed by the Senate President, who shall serve as co-chair;

(3) One member appointed by the House Minority Leader;

(4) One member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(5) One member appointed by the Chair of the House Black Caucus;

(6) One member appointed by the Chair of the Senate Black Caucus;

(7) One member appointed by Governor;

(8) One member appointed by the Lt. Governor;

(9) The Director of the Department of Human Rights or his or her designee;

(10) The Director of the Department of Human Services or his or her designee;

(11) 3 members representing diplomatic missions and trade organizations that serve Black immigrants appointed by the Governor;

(12) 2 members from an organization dedicated to defending the rights and improving the quality of life for immigrants appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

(13) 1 member from a organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for African Americans in the State of Illinois appointed by the Senate President; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Human Rights shall provide administrative support for the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall meet at the call of the co-chairs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2022, and upon the filing of the report, is dissolved.