Amnesty International USA

[A] WHEREAS AI can no longer ignore the magnitude and relevance that migration represents in our modern society; as we see that not only in the USA, but around the world people who seek a better life leave their countries, we have also seen the grave abuses to which these men, women and children are subject as they go through this difficult process;

[B] WHEREAS Amnesty International has always worked thoroughly to ensure that proper treatment is given to refugees and asylum seekers in the United States, it has not addressed the rights of those who are not running from political issues, wars or conflict but from poverty, discrimination and marginalization;

[C] WHEREAS Amnesty International as a worldwide movement through the integrated strategic plan (ISP) has made the fight against discrimination one of its priorities regardless of race, religion, social economical background, country of origin, etc.;

[D] AFFIRMING that policy makers can no longer pretend that the migration phenomenon is an issue that they can regulate by turning hard working men and women into felons or criminals;

[E] WHEREAS AI recognizes the sovereign right of states to control their borders, this cannot be at the expense of the human rights of any migrant, whatever her or his legal status may be;

[F] EMPHASIZING AI has already reported that the "irregularity" of migrant workers and their families has led policy-makers to ignore their fundamental rights in spite of the fact that they make substantial social and economic contributions to the communities they reside in;

[G] NOTING WITH DEEP CONCERN migrants are routinely denied access to basic human rights such as the right to employment, adequate healthcare and adequate housing;

[H] TAKING INTO ACCOUNT AI has recognized The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families ("the Migrant Workers Convention"), which came into force in July 2003 and has currently been ratified by 34 States, which provides that all migrants, irrespective of their migration status, should be able to enjoy certain fundamental rights; and

[I] EMPHASIZING that the above-mentioned rights include the right to be free from torture, the right to equality before the law and in conditions of work, and the right to urgent medical care;

[J] THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that AIUSA request that the International Secretariat (IS) complete by 2010, a full and complete report regarding migration-related human rights abuses in the US; or, in the failure to complete such a report by the IS, AIUSA undertake to complete the above-mentioned report.

[K] BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that once the report is made, AIUSA espouse a solid and public position on the rights of migrants in the United States and begin to campaign and lobby on congressional resolutions or bills that may represent a violation or abuse of the rights of the migrant community.

[L] BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that AIUSA openly support the work of other non-governmental organizations that promote and defend migrant rights.

[M] BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the IS be encouraged to take further action on this report.

[N] BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all work on migrant rights be conducted in coalition with the AIUSA Refugee Program.