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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 369-06City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES CMR: 369:06 17 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRATION REFORM WHICH UPHOLDS THE PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE, FAIRNESS AND HUMANITY RECOMMENDATION The City of Palo Alto’s Human Relations Commission (HRC) requests that the City Council adopt an Immigration Reform Resolution and direct the City Attorney to draft the final Version of the resolution. BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION At its May 11, 2006 HRC meeting, Commissioners discussed the HRC’s role in preparing a resolution in opposition to the Immigration Bill HR 4437. Commissioners reviewed resolutions adopted by other cities and drafted an Immigration Reform Resolution that was reviewed at the June 8, 2006 HRC meeting. Commissioners stated that the intent for drafting this particular resolution was to address the concerns regarding protecting due process, providing a just and fair immigration law and oppose the proposed immigration reforms contained in HR 4437. The HRC’s resolution also identifies the contributions that immigrants have made to America’s economy, cultural, spiritual and political prosperity. The HRC desires, with the adoption of this resolution by the City Council, that the City of Palo Alto will be on record in support of immigration reform that is comprehensive, provides a path to citizenship for immigrants and that is just, fair and humane. At its June 8th, 2006 HRC meeting, Commissioners discussed, amended and approved a Resolution in Support of Immigration Reform. The HRC is forwarding the resolution to the City Council for adoption and to direct the City Attorney to draft the final version of the resolution. RESOURCE IMPACT There should not be a significant impact on staff time. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Attachment B: Cover Letter from the Chair of the Human Relations Commission Draft Immigration Reform Resolution CMR:369:06 Page 1 of 2 PREPARED BY: KAT~tY ESI~NO ZA/,’~-IOWARD Divisibn Manager Cubberley Community Center & Human Services Division DEPARTMENT HEAD: RICHARD J~VI~S / Director of ~25rn~uni~ Services Department CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: City Manager CMR:369:06 Page 2 of 2 Attachment A Dear Council Members, The attached Resolution in Support Of Immigration Reform being proposed by the Human Relations Commission addresses an issue that is both timely and relevant to the city of Palo Alto. First, it is timely because the issue is currently being debated in all levels of Government in an effort to develop legislation that will dictate how immigration matters are addressed. Second, the issue’s relevance to Palo Alto is significant as immigrants live, visit, work, and travel through our City on a daily basis. However, as the issue evokes many emotions, the various proposals towards immigration legislation (as especially demonstrated by HR 4437) have not been in the Nation’s best interests as they, among other things; place to high a burden on local communities and put many people at odds with their beliefs. Furthermore, the proposals to date do not adequately address either the Nation’s human capital requirements or its humanitarian responsibilities. Therefore, the proposed resolution calls for immigration reform that ensures the Nation justly, fairly, and humanely acquires the human resources, including citizenry, necessary to ensure its economic, cultural, spiritual, and political prosperity. Your consideration and approval of this critical resolution is unanimously advised by your Human Relations Commission. Sincerely, The members of the HRC Attachment B Palo Alto Human Relations Commission: Immigration Reform Resolution V1.1 Resolution in Support Of Immigration Reform which Upholds the Principles of Justice, Fairness, and Humanity and Opposition to any Reforms, such as HR 4437, which are in Violation of these Principles. WHEREAS, immigrants and their descendants founded the United States of America and comprised its original citizenry; and WHEREAS, immigrants, regardless of documentation status, continue to make significant, in some cases critical, contributions to our Nation’s economic, cultural, spiritual, and political prosperity; and WHEREAS, our nation’s immigration system should be in accord with our most fundamental truths, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness;" and WHEREAS, our nation’s immigration system should uphold the supreme law of the land which guarantees justice and liberty for ourselves and our posterity, including those from foreign soil who are beckoned to seek freedom’s opportunity and sanctuary by one of our Nation’s most treasured symbols "Liberty Enlightening the World;" and WHEREAS, there is a National consensus concerning the need to reform our immigration policies, laws, and their implementation; and WHEREAS, any immigration legislation reform must be comprehensive such that all points stated above are addressed in a manner which provides a path to citizenship for immigrants that is just, fair, and humane, and ensures the Nation has the human resources necessary to ensure its economic, cultural, spiritual, and political prosperity; and WHEREAS, HR 4437 criminalizes the population not having valid immigration documentation, estimated to be 11 million, regardless of reason; and strips many of these of their due process rights; and WHEREAS, HR 4437 criminalizes all individuals and organizations including family members, charitable workers, social services organizations, refugee agencies, churches, legal services, and the like for providing assistance to undocumented immigrants. THUS, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of Palo Alto, California, does hereby call for comprehensive immigration reform which ensures the Nation justly, fairly, and humanely acquires the human resources, including citizenry, necessary to ensure its economic, cultural, spiritual, and political prosperity, and urges the United States Congress to develop and enact such legislation. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council opposes any legislation, such as HR 4437, which violates the due process provisions set forth by the Constitution of the United States of America. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council will transmit this resolution to its Congressional representatives: Senators Boxer and Feinstein, and Representative Eshoo; and disseminates its content to the public through various mass media mechanisms. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER SEPTEMBE~ , 2006 DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES CMR:~:0 - ~ 2, HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRATION REFORM WHICH UPHOLDS THE PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE, FAIRNESS AND HUMANITY RECOMMENDATION The City of Palo Alto’s Human Relations Commission (HRC) requests that the City Council adopt an Immigration Reform Resolution and direct the City Attorney to draft the final version of the resolution. At its May 11, 2006 HRC meeting, Commissioners discussed the HRC’s role in preparing a resolution in opposition to the Immigration Bill HR 4437. Commissioners reviewed resolutions adopted by other cities and drafted an Immigration Reform Resolution that was reviewed at the June 8, 2006 HRC meeting. Commissioners stated that the intent for drafting this particular resolution was to address the concerns regarding protecting due process, providing a just and fair immigration law and oppose the proposed immigration reforms contained in HR 4437. The HRC’s resolution also identifies the contributions that immigrants have made to America’s economy, cultural, spiritual and political prosperity. The HRC desires, with the adoption of this resolution by the City Council, that the City of Palo Alto will be on record in support of immigration reform that is comprehensive, provides a path to citizenship for immigrants and that is just, fair and humane. CMR: :03 Page 1 of 2 /COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION ~ At its June 8th, 2006 HRC meeting, Commissioners discussed, amended and approved .a Resolution in Support of Immigration Reform. The HRC is forwarding the resolution to the City Council for adoption and to direct the City Attorney to draft the final version of the resolution. o/ RESOURCE IMPACT There should not be a significant impact on staff time. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: HRC’s Immigration Reform Resolution PREPARED BY: KATHY ESPINOZA2HOWARD Division Manager Cubberley Community Center & Human Services Division DEPARTMENT HEAD: RICHARD JAMES Director of Community Services Department CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: EMILY HARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR::03 Page 2 of 2