Beyond the four areas of concentration, the Study Commission identified issues and recommendations that cut across all four study areas, or were important, but weren't specifically identified with the any of the four study areas. The following three general recommendations include:
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Communication
Increase communication between local levels of government and federal representatives to highlight needs at the local level related to immigration policy changes. Encourage public at-large to communicate with their elected officials, particularly at the federal level, regarding immigration issues and concerns.
Rationale: The significant impacts of the nation's immigration policies on all facets of American culture demands input and feedback from all citizens. The differing versions of Immigration proposals made during the 2005-2006 sessions of the U.S. Congress, coupled with the limited legislation actually passed related to border security and enforcement, have not helped clarify or assist local and state governments to address the many public policy issues related to illegal immigration. Without a clear understanding and policy direction from Congress, state and local governments are in the difficult position to carry out laws without enforcement clarity or support.
Public Contracts Ensure all contracts and projects of the City, County and State that utilize taxpayer funds do not support the employment of illegal immigrants. All contracts and construction projects should include a provision that employers will take specific steps to ensure the legal status of the workforce. (See sample contract language in Appendices) Such projects could include, but not be limited to County contracted landscaping work, to the City's NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the State's efforts to build new prisons. Through this effort, local governments should also encourage local businesses to require verification of employment eligibility in contracts.
Rationale: Government should be a lead role model to demonstrate to businesses and the general public that public monies are being used appropriately and that the spirit and letter of applicable local, state, and federal laws are being met, including immigration laws.
Rationale: Part of the process to obtaining a drivers license at a North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle station also includes a step to register citizens to vote. It is recommended that NC DMV conduct a review of this process and issue a report identifying the safeguards the process has to ensure that only qualified U.S. citizens are able to register. If a non-U.S. citizen unknowingly registers to vote, the State of North Carolina may actually be encouraging fraudulent voter registration and voting. Furthermore, the immigrant is committing a deportable immigration violation and a future bar to U.S. citizenship. The State should conduct a study or implement an education program to assure that non-citizens understand that registering to vote is not a requirement for obtaining a drivers license.
