HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2018-34 RESOLUTION NO. 2018-34
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, TO RECOMMEND THE
UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE
SEPARATION OF FAMILIES SEEKING ASYLUM
WHEREAS eve da hundreds of persons, ranging from infants and toddlers to
every Y p g 9
adolescents and adults, flee violence, oppression, and economic desperation from
countries around the world including Guatemala, Honduras and EI Salvador, seeking safe
harbor in the United States; and
WHEREAS, refugees seeking asylum hope to receive asylum with all family
members; and
WHEREAS, refugees do not expect their children to be forcibly separated from
them; and
WHEREAS, the City of Cathedral City supports a policy that the government
cannot forcibly separate a parent from their child to a place unknown, for a fate uncertain,
absent any form of communication; and
WHEREAS, Acting Assistant Secretary Steven Wagner of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) testified before the Senate in April 2018 that
during a review of more than 7,600 unaccompanied immigrant children who had
recently arrived and been placed with a sponsor, officials at the agency were unable to
determine the precise whereabouts of 1,475 children; and
WHEREAS, today, the parents of these thousands of children will not be deterred
from finding ways to reunite with their children, even reentering the United States under
the threat of imprisonment. It would be unconscionable to prosecute parents under these
circumstances. There must be strong and aggressive congressional oversight of
immigration enforcement; and
WHEREAS,this crisis is not just an immigration matter, nor is it just a foreign policy
matter. It is a humanitarian crisis; and
WHEREAS, President Donald Trump on June 20, 2018 reversed course, signing
an executive order that will keep far more families together at the border and seeks more
authority to detain those families together until the end of their immigration proceedings;
and
WHEREAS, in a release on June 23, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security
and HHS said almost 3,000 children were still in custody of HHS and awaiting being
returned to their parents; and
RIV#4836-3566-5514 V1
Resolution No. 2 018-3 4
Page 2
WHEREAS, those children will keep waiting in custody, with reunifications only
happening once the parents' deportation proceedings are completed; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, the courts ruled that federal officials stop detaining
parents apart from their minor children, absent a determination the parent is unfit or the
parent declines reunification; reunify all parents with their minor children who are under
the age of 5 within 14 days and reunify all parents with their minor children age 5 and
older within 30 days; and
WHEREAS, we are a great country with a long and noble tradition of providing
sanctuary to the persecuted and oppressed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Cathedral City City Council,
incorporating the statements set forth above, the City of Cathedral City is committed to
fostering and ensuring non-discrimination, equality, and equity for all of our residents
regardless of immigration status; and
MAY IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cathedral City City Council supports
the need for comprehensive and non-discriminatory immigration reform; and
MAY IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon our federal representatives,
the United States Congress, and the President of the United States to support a legislative
solution that offers programs ensuring families stay together through all immigration
proceedings and meet the requirements of the courts; and
MAY IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk shall transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, and the
Congressional Representatives for the City of Cathedral City.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of Cathedral City held on this 11 day of July 2018, by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Aguilar, Carnevale and Kaplan; Mayor Pro Tem Pettis and
Mayor Henry
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
tanley nry, Mayor
RIV#4836-3566-5514 V1
Resolution No. 2 O 1 R—3 4
Page 3
ATTEST:
'g—Gary F. Howell, dity"t lerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
URW, "�f
Eric . VA, Cit Attorney
RIV#4836-3566-5514 v1