Resolution - : TO SUPPORT GRANTING TPS TO GUATEMALAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE UNITED STATES

WHEREAS, LULAC is our nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization addressing education, employment and civil rights issues in the United States of America since 1929; and

WHEREAS, TPS was granted to El Salvador and Honduras as the result of devastating natural disasters setting a precedent; and

WHEREAS, Guatemala was the victim of Hurricane Agatha and the eruption of Pacaya Volcano in (year) resulting in the destruction of corps grown for export (coffee, sugar and bananas) and other crops for internal consumption plus the effects of volcanic ashes which also destroyed crops and structures in the capital city and surrounding areas; and

WHEREAS, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America; and

WHEREAS, GDP per capita is 50% of average of all Caribbean and Latin American countries; and

WHEREAS, the agricultural sector equals 15% of the Guatemalan economy and employs 50% of the labor force; and

WHEREAS, Guatemala is part of CAFTA since July 2006; and

WHEREAS, concerns over security, lack skilled workers and poor infrastructure hamper much needed investment; and

WHEREAS, distribution of income is highly unequal with the wealthiest 10% consuming 40% of national production; and

WHEREAS, the majority of the population lives under the poverty line and 15% live in extreme poverty.

WHEREAS, the indigenous population lives in extreme poverty with 43% of children less than five years of age are malnourished.

WHEREAS, Guatemalans in the United States are the source of the greatest remittance receipts in Central America and is the principal force of foreign income equaling 2/3 of exports..

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the League of United Latin American Citizens will continue to fully and actively support granting of TPS by the Federal Government for the protection of Guatemalan citizens residing in these United States as it did for the Salvadoran and Honduran immigrants.

Approved this 17th day of July 2010.

Margaret Moran
LULAC National President