HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 173 CC RESO RESOLUTION NO. 2017-173
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BALDWIN PARK, CALIFORNIA, URGING UNITED STATES
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND CONGRESS TO UPHOLD
THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA)
PROGRAM AND THE PROMISE OF A FUTURE FOR ALL
RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS
WHEREAS, the United States was founded on the principles of freedom and
opportunity, a refuge for the oppressed, the persecuted, and those looking for a better
life; and
WHEREAS, immigrants have always played an integral part in American history;
and
WHEREAS, America's infrastructure and economic viability in its formative years
depended largely on the energy of immigrant laborers and immigrants continue today to
add to America's productivity, as well as its culture and economic standing in the world;
and
WHEREAS, the contributions of immigrants to the United States prompted
former President Lyndon B. Johnson to say: "The land flourished because it was fed
from so many sources- because it was nourished by so many cultures and traditions
and peoples"; and
WHEREAS, despite their undisputed contributions, immigrants continue to be
vilified by some segments of our society as well as some politicians who seek to forward
their ambitions through divisive and misinformed rhetoric; and
WHEREAS, having learned the painful lessons from history that racial and ethnic
discrimination hurts our residents and undermines our prosperity, the City of Baldwin
Park stands unified in rejecting the politics of hatred and exclusion; and
WHEREAS, nowhere else in the nation has been more enriched by the
contributions of immigrants than California, particularly Southern California, home to
more foreign-born residents than anywhere else in the country; and
WHEREAS, California's diversity is a great source of innovation and industry,
making California one of the largest economies in the world and an economic engine for
the United States; and
WHEREAS, immigrants are vital to many of California's industries such as
technology, healthcare, agriculture, construction, hospitality, and domestic services.
Immigrants also represent a large percentage of California's new small business owners
and create economic prosperity and needed jobs for everyone; and
Resolution No. 2017-173
Page 2
WHEREAS, approximately one tenth of California's work force is undocumented
and contributes $130 billion annually to its gross domestic product; and
WHEREAS, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy has reported that
undocumented immigrants in California paid $2.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2010,
including $1.8 billion in sales taxes, $152.1 million in state income taxes, and $302.8
million in property taxes; and
WHEREAS, contrary to California's continued push for thoughtful federal
immigration reform, the President has announced that he will order the increased
deportation of undocumented immigrants and that doing so will be a top priority.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City
of Baldwin Park as follows
1. That the Council condemns in the strongest terms bigoted, racist, or
misinformed descriptions of the immigrant community that serve only to foment hatred
and violence;
2. That the Council supports a comprehensive and workable approach to
solving our nation's historically broken immigration system; and be it further
3. That the Council implores the President and Congress to develop rational
immigration policies that recognize the contributions of immigrants to the nation,
protects the economy, and are just and humane to immigrant families and children; and
be it further
4. That the Council urges the President not to pursue mass deportation
strategies that needlessly tear families apart or target immigrants for deportation based
on vague and unjustified criteria; and be it further
5. That the Council implores the President to reject any expansion of the
"expedited removal" process that operates without administrative oversight and robs
individuals of due process;
6. That the Council urges the President to continue President Obama's
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), which grants "Dreamers" —
people who were brought into the country as children by their parents — a temporary
reprieve from deportation. Nearly one third of the nation's 742,000 Dreamers live in
California where they have earned college degrees and found employment. California
needs college-educated young men and women to fuel our economy and cannot afford
to lose our Dreamers to deportation;
7. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its approval.
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8. The City Clerk shall certify as to the adoption of this City Council
Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 15th day of February, 2017.
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MUEL 44 NO
MAYO
ATTEST:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES SS:
CITY OF BALDWIN PARK
I, ALEJANDRA AVILA, City Clerk of the City of Baldwin Park, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No. 2017-173 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of
Baldwin Park at a regular meeting thereof held on the 15th day of February, 2017 and
that the same was adopted by the following vote to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEM:ERS: None
ALJ WAVI
CITY CLERK