HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2018-35 RESOLUTION NO. 2018-35
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL
CITY, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S
POLICIES 'OF SEPARATING CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES AT
THE BORDER, DETAINING IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR CHILDREN
INDEFINITELY, AND CRIMINALLY PROSECUTING IMMIGRANTS
LAWFULLY SEEKING ASYLUM AND CALLING ON CONGRESS TO
IMMEDIATELY HALT THESE INHUMANE POLICIES AND ENACT FAIR
AND HUMANE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
WHEREAS, the Trump Administration recently implemented a new "zero
tolerance" policy to separate children from their parents at border crossings and hold the
children in large detention centers; and
WHEREAS, this new policy dramatically increases the number of vulnerable
minors who are in U.S. custody without the protection of their families, resulting in 10,773
migrant children in U.S. custody as of May 2018, according to the United States Health
and Human Services; and
WHEREAS, in practice, this policy has resulted in at least 2,000 minors who have
been separated from their families since April 19, 2018, according to the Department of
Homeland Security; and
WHEREAS, the purported goal of this new policy is to serve as a deterrent to
prevent people from crossing the border without documentation; and
WHEREAS, this policy has been replaced by a new policy of holding minors with
their parents in detention facilities for an indefinite amount of time; and
WHEREAS, this policy came at the express direction of Attorney General Jeff
Sessions after April 6th, 2018 when he directed each U.S. Attorney's Office along the
Southwest Border(i.e., Southern District of California, District of Arizona, District of New
Mexico, Western District of Texas, and Southern District of Texas) to adopt a policy to
prosecute all Department of Homeland Security referrals of section 1325(a) violations to
the extent practicable; and
WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded that even brief
detentions cause"toxic stress and trauma"and may lead to long-term medical and mental
health risks for children; and
WHEREAS, President Trump has called for the elimination of constitutional due
process for those seeking asylum; and
WHEREAS, these policies further escalates the increasing harassment and
discrimination of immigrants caused by the Trump's Administration policies; and
WHEREAS, this practice of separation from family and indefinite detention of
minors violates international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of the Child which protects children from arbitrary arrest and detention; and
WHEREAS, these practices also violate core American values, the United States
Constitution, the California Constitution, and binding federal and international law; and
WHEREAS, there are hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants,
migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, including children, living in Riverside County
including in Cathedral City, and they are important and valued members of our
communities, contributing to our neighborhoods, our schools, and our workplaces; and
WHEREAS, the administration's practices contravene the principles of Cathedral
City and California residents who value the dignity of humans, liberty, and justice for all.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Cathedral City City Council
formally calls upon Senators Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris and Congressman Raul
Ruiz to take all necessary action to immediately discontinue the Trump Administration's
practices of housing minors who cross the border in detention centers and prosecuting
and indefinitely detaining immigrants, including people lawfully presenting for asylum,
without due process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Cathedral City City Council calls on the
Trump Administration to take responsibility for and end the "zero tolerance" policy as it is
wholly within the Administration's power to rescind this policy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Cathedral City City Council calls on
Congress to take action to stand up against these inhumane and immoral policies and
ensure the immediate return of children that have been separated from their parents. In
particular, we urge Congress to support the following legislation: S. 3036—Keep Families
Together Act, R. 2572 — Protect Family Values at the Border Act, R. 5950/S.2937 — the
HELP Separated Children Act, and R. 2043/S. 2468 — Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of
2018.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy
of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, Senators Diane
Feinstein and Kamala Harris; and Congressman Raul Ruiz.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 11 th 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
tante enry, Mayor
Cathedral City
ATTEST:
r t.
fu Gary F. H ell, ity Clerk
Cathedral City
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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