HomeMy WebLinkAbout55C - RESO - DEFERRED ACTION PROGRAMREQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
MARCH 18, 2014
TITLE:
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION
ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT OBAMA
TO SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION REFORM TO EXPAND THE
DEFERRED ACTION PROGRAM TO PROTECT
FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DEPORTATION
CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
❑ As Recommended
❑ As Amended
❑ Ordinance on 1" Reading
❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading
❑ Implementing Resolution
❑ Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
FILE NUMBER
Consider adoption of proposed Resolution to encourage comprehensive Federal immigration
reforms and expansion of the Deferred Action Program to protect families impacted by
deportation.
DISCUSSION
Councilmembers Benavides, Martinez and Sarmiento sponsored an 85A- Council Member
request to agendize an immigration reform Resolution similar to those proposed in other cities.
On May 20, 2013, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2013 -023 in support of
comprehensive federal immigration reform and the proposed Resolution furthers that support by
encouraging the United States Congress and President Obama to support the expansion of the
Deferred Action Program to protect families impacted by deportation
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no Fiscal Impact associated with the adoption of the proposed Resolution.
Sonia R. Carvalho
City Attorney
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SRC03/10/14
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND AS
A COROLLARY TO SANTA ANA RESOLUTION NO. 2013 -023
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION REFORM AND URGING THE 113TH
CONGRESS TO ENACT REFORMS THAT SECURE OUR
BORDERS, ENSURE ECONOMIC STRENGTH AND
PROMOTE STRONGER COMMUNITIES, NOW FURTHER
URGING PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT OUR FAMILIES FROM
DESTRUCTIVE AND NEEDLESS IMMIGRATION
DEPORTATIONS BY SEEKING LEGISLATION TO EXPAND
THE SUCCESSFUL DEFERRED ACTION PROGRAM TO
INDIVIDUALS WITH NO SERIOUS CRIMINAL HISTORY
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Ana, on May 20, 2013,
unanimously approved Resolution No. 2013 -023 in support of comprehensive federal
immigration reform, attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein; and
WHEREAS, in approving Resolution No. 2013 -023, the City specifically recognized the
economic, social and cultural contributions immigrants bring to their communities and, in
particular, to the City of Santa Ana, that family unity is a component of a strong economy, and
re- unification of families has been a key part of federal immigration policy for almost fifty years;
and
WHEREAS, while Congress proceeds with consideration of comprehensive federal
immigration reform relating to the over 11 million undocumented residents in the U.S.,
deportations under the Obama administration have reached record levels with 1,100 people
deported daily; and
WHEREAS, the rise in deportations under the current immigration system harm
the living conditions of U.S. citizen children of undocumented parents who have been
deported; and
WHEREAS, the consequences of such separation of children from parents are
cruel as they are left in situations of financial instability without parental guidance; and
8595315.1 55C-3
WHEREAS, many members of Congress recently signed a letter requesting that
President Barack Obama suspend further deportations and expand the successful Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals program to those individuals with no serious criminal history; and
WHEREAS, there is wide - ranging support among business, labor, faith - based, and
community groups for such administrative action even though President Obama has
concluded that he does not have legal authority to do so, and which is viewed as one of the
best ways to advance the path to citizenship for undocumented individuals across the country
and enhance participation in the national conversation by those individuals who are most
directly impacted; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expand the protections of our future citizens that were
established by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and grant it to the family
and neighbors and all those who have made their lives here but are yet to be fully recognized;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana, California, in accordance with and
as a corollary to Resolution No. 2013 -023, expressing support for comprehensive federal
immigration reform and urging the 113th Congress to enact reforms that secure our borders,
ensure economic strength and promote stronger communities, further urges President Barack
Obama and the federal government to protect our families from destructive and needless
immigration deportations by seeking the adoption of legislation to expandthe successful
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to those individuals with no serious criminal
history; and
Section 2. The Clerk of the Council is directed to send this Resolution to the President
of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President
of the United States Senate, and the Honorable Members of the 113th Congress representing
the City of Santa Ana; and
Section 3. The Clerk of the Council shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City
Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution.
ADOPTED this 18th day of March, 2014.
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Miguel A. Pulido
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:
City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify that the attached
Resolution No. 2014 -XXX to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of
Santa Ana on
Date:
8595315.1
Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana
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Attachment
Resolution 2013 -023
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SRC: 5/16/13
RESOLUTION NO. 2013 -023
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION REFORM AND URGING THE 113TH CONGRESS TO ENACT
REFORMS THAT SECURE OUR BORDERS, ENSURE ECONOMIC
STRENGTH AND PROMOTE STRONGER COMMUNITIES
WHEREAS, The City of Santa Ana recognizes the economic, social and
cultural contributions immigrants bring to their communities and, in particular, to
the City of Santa Ana; and
WHEREAS, since the City's founding in 1869, immigrants have had a
significant role in Santa Ana's cultural and economic vitality; and
WHEREAS, the responsibility of municipal leaders is to protect the well-
being and safety of all people residing in their cities; and
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the city to respect the liberty and civil rights of all
individuals, regardless of national origin or immigration status; and
WHEREAS, our nation's immigration and border security policies are
federal responsibilities that are in desperate need of a new, improved and
modernized legal immigration system; and
WHEREAS, a talented workforce made up of both skilled and unskilled labor
is a key driver of our local economy; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for reformed national immigration programs
that provide the City's businesses the opportunity to employ foreign workers,
when necessary, to improve economic competitiveness; and
WHEREAS, family unity is a component of a strong economy, and re-
unification of families has been a key part of federal immigration policy for almost
fifty years; and
WHEREAS, there is broad support and collaboration among both business
and labor groups to promote comprehensive immigration reform that provides
sensible and effective solutions.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of Santa Ana does hereby resolve as
follows:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana, California, urges the
United States Congress to adopt and enact comprehensive immigration reform
that includes the following principles:
Resolution No. 2013 -023
Page 1 of 3
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1, Providing for controlled admission, fair and just to those already in the
legal immigration process that includes a defined path for permanent
residency and /or citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented
immigrants living in the United States today.
2. Establishing an improved visa program, such as the proposed W -Visa, to
provide our businesses with the ability to hire certain categories of foreign
workers when legal residents are unavailable or unwilling to fill jobs.
3. Creating a methodology that accurately assesses labor market needs in
order to determine the number of foreign workers to be admitted for
employment purposes annually.
4. Increasing efforts to advance workforce talent outreach
Internationally and strengthening programs in domestic science,
technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) training, to
improve ongoing economic competitiveness, while also promoting legal
immigration opportunities.
5. Creating a streamlined process to resolve the backlog of existing visa
applications and developing methods to ensure the efficient processing
of future immigration applications in a timely manner, which will expedite
re- unification of families.
Section 2. The Clerk of the Council is directed to send this resolution to the
President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the Honorable
Members of the 113th Congress representing the City of Santa Ana.
ADOPTED this 20" day of May 2013.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
'L' Ga � �2.. &;1,66t --
SONIA R. CARVALHO,
CITY ATTORNEY
Resolution No. 2013 -023
Page 2 of 3
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Qyv
SRC: 5/16113
AYES: Councilmembers: Amezcua Benavides Martinez Pulido
Revna, Sarmiento, Tinaiero (7)
NOES: Councilmembers: None (0)
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: None (0)
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers: None (0)
CERTIFICATION OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I; Maria D. Huizar, Clerk of Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2013 -023 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the
City of Santa Ana on May 20, 2013.
Date:
Clerk of Council
City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2013 -023
Page 3 of 3
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Correspondence
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CHICAN@a S UNIDOS
de Orange County
x C _ qs
AV
fT,
February, 2014
Mayor Pulido, Mayor Pro -Tem Tinajero
Councilmember; Amezcua, Benavides, Martinez, Reyna, and Sarmiento
City Hall
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701
Dear Mayor and Council members,
Chican @s Unidos de Orange County thanks you for voting in favor of drafting a letter to President Obama asking that
he stop deporting people who are living in the U.S. without legal documentation and directing the city attorney to
prepare a resolution urging Obama to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that was presented at
the Feb. 18th council meeting. These actions support the most vulnerable residents of our City and let them know
that elected officials value their contributions to our City.
Our organization has done extensive research on this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of
assistance in providing information on similar actions in neighboring cities or in moving this item forward.
We greatly appreciate your support of this issue.
Sincerely,
Albert Castillo
Co -Chair Chican @s Unidos
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