FT: No Heart of Stone Act (law)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

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Sponsor: Harry S Truman, PM

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

In the interests of time, I have taken the liberty of bringing this bill to the floor myself in my capacity as President of the House of Commons.

The No Heart of Stone Act was inspired by an earlier proposal by the same name that I introduced nearly two years ago while a member of the Mideast Assembly. In simplest terms, it has two objectives: to secure and establish the human rights and human dignity of illegal aliens residing within our borders, and to specify explicitly that federal law is to be upheld by federal officeholders, not by the regions at regional expense.

Under the provisions of Section 2 of this bill, all illegal aliens would have the following rights:

               • The right to receive emergency medical care (2.i)
               • The right to apply for a regionally issued driver's license/ID (2.ii)
               • The rights of employees under regional law, such as the minimum wage (2.iv)

The rationale for item 1 (2.i) above is fairly obvious (letting people die because they're on the wrong side of the Rio Grande is not okay, and contrary to the values upon which this country was founded). Item 2 reflects the status quo in a handful of states, such as Oregon, that allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a state-issued driver's license. The rationale for Item 3 is twofold, and arguably the most important provision of this bill. By specifying that existing labor regulations apply to illegal aliens as well as citizens and legal residents, we ensure that (a) these people are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers; and (b) that illegal labor is just as expensive as legal labor (thus eliminating the financial incentive to hire undocumented immigrants over naturalized citizens). Thus, 2.iv served to protect both the undocumented and Fremont's lawful citizens.

In addition to the rights given above, Alien Minors (i.e. those brought to this country illegally before their 18th birthday) have the following rights under this bill:

               • The right to an education
               • The right to receive public benefits

These rights are not extended to adults who enter this country illegally for obvious reasons; it seems unnecessarily harsh, however, to deny a child the right to an education simply because they were brought to Atlasia against their will, quite possibly without the knowledge that in doing so they had broken the law.

I look forward to hearing what the rest of the Commons has to say about this bill.

[Tirnam]

This bill will uphold our moral standard for every human being, no matter of the citizenship or the legal status of that person.
And in a more practical view, this bill is necessary. Allow the access for undocumented immigrants to health structures will prevent health crisis, allow the access for undocumented immigrants to driving licence will improve safety on the roads,...

I fully support this bill as long it doesn't oppose to the application of the federal law by federal agents.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I fully support this bill as long it doesn't oppose to the application of the federal law by federal agents.

It does not. Fremont has no power to override federal law, and this bill does not presume to prevent federal officials from enforcing immigration law (as I've just been nominated to lead the Justice Department, that would make my job unnecessarily difficult ).

[RFayette 🇻🇦]

I have a question regarding the language of the resolution:  does this permit access to driver's licenses for all undocumented immigrants?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I have a question regarding the language of the resolution:  does this permit access to driver's licenses for all undocumented immigrants?

It does, yes. I debated back and forth over whether to limit access to alien minors, but decided  ultimately (as Tirnam said) that allowing undocumented immigrants to become licensed drivers is preferable to their becoming unlicensed drivers.

[ASPN]

I have a question regarding the language of the resolution:  does this permit access to driver's licenses for all undocumented immigrants?

It does, yes. I debated back and forth over whether to limit access to alien minors, but decided  ultimately (as Tirnam said) that allowing undocumented immigrants to become licensed drivers is preferable to their becoming unlicensed drivers.

People will drive anyways, better to allow the option to learn than to not and face the potential consequences on our freeways.

[ASPN]

At any rate, since we appear to be done with debating. I move to approve the bill.

[rpryor03]

24 hours to object to the motion to go to a vote.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I second the motion, unless someone has an idea for an amendment to improve the bill.

[rpryor03]

Voting is now opened.

[Tirnam]

Aye

[ASPN]

Aye

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE.

[rpryor03]

Present

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

With three votes in favor, none opposed, one abstaining, and with one Member not voting, this legislation has been ADOPTED.

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