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organize such a summit to be tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2002 at the Southern Human Services <br />Building in Chapel Hill. <br />This, the 16th day of April 2002. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS <br />a. Support of Immigrant Workers <br />The Board considered recognizing the role of immigrant workers as employees of local <br />businesses and consumers of local goods and services, and to support immigration reform efforts. <br />Economic Development Director Dianne Reid said that during the 1990's large numbers of <br />immigrant workers moved into Orange County to take jobs -particularly in the retail, construction, and <br />service sectors. Within the last few months, the Social Security Administration has begun to send out No <br />Match letters, which notify employers that the social security funds that they have submitted on behalf of <br />workers do not match anyone on file. As a result, a number of businesses have laid off immigrant <br />workers. <br />Alex Asbun, Executive Director of EI Centro Latino, spoke about the problems and some <br />possible resolution. He urged the County Commissioners to call upon the U. S. Government to reform <br />immigration laws in order to provide undocumented immigrants with legal permission to work and live here <br />and institute along-term immigration policy that will address the economy and national security needs of <br />the United States. <br />Commissioner Brown read the resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, <br />seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution as stated <br />below: <br />Resolution Supporting Orange County Immigrant Workers <br />WHEREAS, immigrant workers are increasingly essential to filing a wide range of jobs in Orange County, <br />North Carolina; and <br />WHEREAS, employed undocumented workers pay federal, state, and local taxes, including Social <br />Security and Medicare; and <br />WHEREAS, the buying power of undocumented workers is substantial, with the buying power of Latinos <br />in North Carolina exceeding $2.3 billion (as documented by the North Carolina Institute of Minority <br />Economic Development, Inc.); and <br />WHEREAS, national immigration policy is in conflict with our current workforce needs; and <br />WHEREAS, recent changes in Social Security Administration practices have resulted in dozens of <br />immigrants losing their jobs in Orange County and throughout the state; and <br />WHEREAS, local governments bear the significant infrastructure and operational costs of providing <br />services to all their residents; and <br />WHEREAS, not providing a legal means of working and living in this country creates a black market for <br />documents which threatens national security and the personal welfare of immigrants; <br />NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners agree to: <br />1) Encourage County staff to work with local non-profit service organizations to establish a "safety <br />net" for local unemployed workers and their families; <br />