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those findings, create an ability for <br />municipal governments to apply for grant <br />funding or assistance to help conduct the <br />same evaluation. <br />SD-45. Immigration Reform <br />Issue: The United States and the State of <br />Minnesota have long traditions of <br />welcoming immigrants. Immigrants <br />strengthen Minnesota by contributing to the <br />state's economy, enhancing cultural <br />resources, and participating in efforts to <br />build strong communities. <br />According to the National League of Cities, <br />roughly 35 percent of undocumented <br />immigrants have lived in the United States <br />for 10 years or more. Approximately 1.6 <br />million undocumented immigrants are <br />children, and another 3.1 million children in <br />the United States have at least one <br />undocumented parent. These families are <br />forced to live "underground" and are unable <br />to get drivers' licenses or car insurance in <br />most states. In addition, they are unlikely to <br />obtain health insurance and are afraid to <br />report crimes to local law enforcement. <br />Since immigrants are barred from most <br />federal public assistance, the burden of <br />providing social services, education, and <br />health care falls to state and local <br />governments that are increasingly feeling <br />the financial impact of both legal and illegal <br />immigrants living in their communities. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities, together with the National League <br />of Cities, urges Congress to move quickly <br />to enact and enforce effective <br />immigration laws. <br />Federal and state governments must not <br />transfer responsibility for enforcing U.S. <br />immigration laws to local personnel, <br />including police officers, firefighters, <br />educators, health professionals, and social <br />service employees. Finally, federal and <br />state governments must not prohibit local <br />units of government from implementing <br />policies aimed at fostering positive <br />relationships between local government <br />officials, including law enforcement <br />personnel, and immigrant communities. <br />SD-46. Legalization of Fireworks <br />Issue: In 2002, the state enacted a law <br />allowing the sale and use of non -aerial, non- <br />explosive consumer fireworks, including <br />sparklers, party poppers, snakes, and other <br />novelty items —relaxing the ban on <br />consumer fireworks in place in Minnesota <br />since 1941. In 2008, the Legislature further <br />relaxed the ban by increasing the amount of <br />explosive material allowed in legal <br />fireworks. <br />Local fire service professionals have <br />reported that consumers and law <br />enforcement personnel have had difficulty <br />distinguishing between legal and illegal <br />fireworks, and that the 2002 law resulted in <br />greater use in Minnesota of illegal fireworks <br />purchased in other states. <br />According to data provided by the <br />Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division, <br />injury trends and dollar losses related to <br />fireworks incidents surged after the <br />consumer fireworks ban was lifted. Hospital <br />reports reveal that the annual number of <br />injuries caused by fireworks rose <br />dramatically in 2002 and remains elevated. <br />Likewise, Minnesota Fire Incident <br />Reporting System records show that the <br />annual dollar loss resulting from fireworks <br />incidents increased significantly in 2002 and <br />has since grown. <br />In 2003, the state enacted a number of <br />provisions limiting local authority pertaining <br />to fireworks sales. The 2003 law caps the <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2018 City Policies Page 30 <br />