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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-008 - January 2017 Presidential Executive Orders on Immigration Enforcement and Refugeesjmf 2-15-17 RESOLUTION NO. 2017-008 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA CONDEMNING THE JANUARY 2017 PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND REFUGEES Whereas, the City of Santa Ana has long embraced and welcomed individuals of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds, including a large immigrant population; and Whereas, according to the U.S. Department of State, 7,909 refugees have resettled in communities throughout California in Fiscal Year 2016 alone, and the U.S. Census Bureau's 2015 American Community Survey reports that approximately 46 percent of the City's population consists of foreign -born individuals; and Whereas, the City of Santa Ana welcomes, honors, and respects the contributions of all of its residents, regardless of their immigration status; and Whereas, immigrants and their families in Santa Ana contribute to the economic and social fabric of the City by establishing and patronizing businesses, participating in the arts and culture, and achieving significant educational accomplishments; and Whereas, fostering a relationship of trust, respect, and open communication between City officials and residents is essential to the City's mission of delivering efficient public services in partnership with our community, which ensures public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents; and Whereas, the City of Santa Ana seeks to continue to foster trust between City officials and residents to protect limited local resources, to encourage cooperation between residents and City officials, including law enforcement officers and employees, and to ensure public safety and due process for all; and Whereas, in recognition of the City's continued commitment to the equal, respectful, and dignified treatment of all people, the City Council, on December 6, 2016, adopted Resolution No. 2016-086 declaring the City of Santa Ana a sanctuary for all its residents, regardless of their immigration status; and Whereas, on January 17, 2017, the City Council further enacted Ordinance No. NS -2908 to establish procedures consistent with Resolution No. 2016-086, including a prohibition on the use of City funds, resources, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law, unless such assistance is required by any valid and enforceable federal or state law; and Resolution No, 2017-008 Page 1 of 4 jmf 12-13-16 Whereas, on January 25, 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order entitled "Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States" with a stated purpose to deny federal funds to any jurisdiction designated by the United States Attorney General as a sanctuary jurisdiction; and Whereas, on January 25, 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order entitled "Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements" that directed federal funds to be used to build a wall on the southern border of the United States with Mexico; and Whereas, on January 27, 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States" that suspended all refugee admissions for 120 days, barred entry of all people from the Muslim -majority countries of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen for a period of 90 days, and suspended the Syrian refugee program indefinitely; and Whereas, on February 9, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a lower federal court ruling that blocked enforcement of the January 27, 2017 Executive Order, finding in part that the government had shown "no evidence" that anyone from these seven nations had committed terrorist acts in the United States; and Whereas, the City Council of the City of Santa Ana believes that the above Executive Orders strongly betray the longstanding principles, values, and traditions of not only the City of Santa Ana but also those of the United States of America. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana as follows: Section 1. The City of Santa Ana hereby condemns President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order of January 27, 2017, often referred to as the "Travel Ban", on the basis that it is contrary to the values of openness and inclusion of the City of Santa Ana and to the ideals upon which the United States of America was founded as a population of persons that at one time were all immigrants or refugees from some other country, Section 2. The City of Santa Ana hereby further condemns President Trump's Executive Order of January 27, 2017 on the grounds that it is contrary to the fundamental right of due process, serves to separate families, and sends the message that refugees and immigrants, those persons upon which the fabric of American life has been built, are no longer welcome. Section 3, The City of Santa Ana hereby condemns President Trump's Executive Order of January 25, 2017, threatening to withdraw federal funding from jurisdictions determined to be sanctuary jurisdictions on the grounds that it attempts to federalize local law enforcement, interferes with the ability of local law enforcement to investigate criminal activity and protect its residents, is unconstitutional, and threatens to reduce or eliminate services to Santa Ana residents that are due them by the government. Resolution No. 2017-008 Page 2 of 4 jmf 2-15-17 Section 4. The City of Santa Ana implores President Trump to repeal the Executive Orders of January 25, 2017 and January 27, 2017, on the basis that they are contrary to traditional American values of acceptance, inclusion, and the idea of the American Dream. Section 5. Copies of this Resolution, as filed with the Clerk of Council, shall be sent by the Clerk of Council to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from the City's geographic area. Section 6. 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 211st day of February, 2017. APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney 6john M. Funk Assistant City Attorney AYES: Councilmembers Benavides, Martinez,- Pulido, Sarmiento, Solorio, -Finalero (6) NOES: Councilmembers Villegas (1) ABSTAIN: Councilmembers None (OL NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers None (0) Resdution No. 2017-008 Page 3 of 4 jm f 12-13-16 1, Maria D. Huizar, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify that the attached Resolution No. 2017-008 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on February 21, 2017. Date: Resolution No. 2017-0018 Page 4 of 4 Maria D. Huizar Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana