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City of Seattle Legislative Information Service
Information updated as of March 15, 2006 7:14 AM
Resolution Number: 30851
A RESOLUTION relating to comprehensive immigration reform and supporting Seattle's immigrant community.
Date introduced/referred: March 6, 2006
Date adopted: March 13, 2006
Status: Adopted as Amended
Vote: 6-0 (Excused: Conlin, Della, McIver)
Committee: Full Council
Sponsor: RASMUSSEN, DELLA, CLARK, DRAGO, GODDEN, LICATA, STEINBRUECK
Index Terms: STATING-POLICY, CITIZENSHIP
Text
A RESOLUTION relating to comprehensive immigration reform and supporting Seattle's immigrant community.
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has previously adopted Resolution No. 30355, honoring Seattle's immigrant community, and Resolution No. 30796, relating to development of an action plan to identify and address issues facing Seattle's immigrant communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has previously adopted Resolution No. 30672, opposing federal legislation that encourages local enforcement of civil immigration laws; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has previously adopted Ordinance 121063 establishing policies of the Seattle Police Department to protect immigrants' access to police protection and public services; and
WHEREAS, we believe in the dignity of all Seattle residents, regardless of immigration status, and recognize the importance of their many contributions to the social, religious, cultural and economic life of the City; and
WHEREAS, from 1990 to 2000, Seattle's foreign-born population grew by over 40% and it is estimated that by 2010 as many as 120,000 Seattle residents will be foreign born making immigration reform of crucial importance to this City; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle and other local jurisdictions have a major stake in just and fair comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level; and
WHEREAS, the United States urgently needs legislation to correct the failings of our immigration system, to recognize the crucial contributions immigrants make to our nation, to enable employers to legally hire needed immigrant workers, to protect all workers, regardless of immigration status, from mistreatment by employers, to facilitate family reunification, and to restore civil rights and civil liberties to all; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive immigration reform would restore the rule of law, enhance the security of the United States, reflect the core values of this nation, including fairness, equality of opportunity, and individual justice while resulting in realistic, enforceable laws; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive immigration reform would help build healthy families and communities in our city by bringing immigrants out of the shadows, and minimize the criminalization of undocumented workers, which has severe local consequences on our city; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive immigration reform would remove barriers that make it difficult for immigrants to access vital local services and to actively participate in civic activities; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive immigration reform would give undocumented immigrants who have been living and working in Seattle a path to permanent legal status and citizenship; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive immigration reform would extend civil rights and equal protection to all workers in the United States, and more specifically, the City of Seattle, regardless of immigration status; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive immigration reform would respect the civil rights and civil liberties of all individuals who reside in our city, and nation, at a time when our country seeks greater national security; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive immigration reform would help eliminate the tremendous backlog in family immigration in order to effectively reunite families in Seattle and nationwide and would create legal and orderly processes for people who want to come to the United States to work; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive immigration reform would support our city's commitment to the full integration of newcomers by providing immigrants with quality English instruction, the tools necessary for meaningful citizenship, and opportunities to move up the economic ladder; and
WHEREAS, punitive legislation that is not comprehensive and targets immigrants could have severe local consequences, including: the division of families in our city; the criminalization of socially beneficial work being performed by local agencies, churches and businesses which work with undocumented workers as well as undocumented workers themselves; the elimination of judicial review and due process for valued city residents; and the undermining of trust between city residents and their government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING THAT:
The City of Seattle supports comprehensive immigration reform as set forth in legislation introduced into the United States Senate by Senators John McCain of Arizona and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts entitled the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S.1033); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this resolution be sent to the President and the members of the Washington State Congressional delegation.
Adopted by the City Council the 13th day of March, 2006, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this 13th day of March, 2006.
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President __________of the City Council
THE MAYOR CONCURRING:
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Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
Filed by me this 13th day of March, 2006.
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City Clerk March 13, 2006 version #6 TA |
