Number
141631
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. PEREZ, HAMILTON, KOVAC, BAUMAN, WADE, DAVIS, MURHPY
Title
Resolution authorizing and directing the City Attorney, on behalf of the City, to sign onto an amicus brief being coordinated by the Cities United for Immigration Action Coalition supporting President Obama's executive action on immigration policy and challenging the action brought in the lawsuit Texas, et. al. v. United States of America, et. al., in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Analysis
This resolution supports President Obama's executive action of November 24, 2014 on immigration policy to grant millions of undocumented immigrants temporary legal status, along with an indefinite reprieve from deportation.
The resolution also directs the City Attorney, on behalf of the City, to sign onto an amicus brief being coordinated by the Cities for United Immigration Action Coalition supporting the executive action in a lawsuit brought by Texas and 24 other states, Texas, et. al. v. United Sates of America, et. al., in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee prides itself as a community that welcomes immigrants from countries and regions throughout the world, celebrates diversity and appreciates contributions that immigrants have made to the city, state and nation; and
Whereas, The Congress of the United States has considered and debated reforms of the immigration system over the years without resolution; and
Whereas, On November 20, 2014, President Barack Obama took executive action on immigration policy which provides temporary legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants, along with an indefinite reprieve from deportation; and
Whereas, The executive action offers temporary legal status to the undocumented parents of children who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, allows millions of undocumented immigrants to be eligible to apply for work permits, takes steps to expand visas for high-tech workers, modifies federal immigrant detention procedures, and adds resources to strengthen security at the border; and
Whereas, An addition one million people will get protection from deportation through other parts of the President's plan to overhaul the nation's immigration enforcement system, including the expansion of an existing program for "Dreamers", young immigrants who came to the United States as children; and
Whereas, In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform from the U.S. Congress, President Obama's executive action will benefit cities by providing work authorization to millions, increasing local tax revenues, granting new jobs for Americans as businesses grow to serve legalized workers, stimulating local economies, facilitating the civic engagement of immigrants, and keeping families together; and
Whereas, President Obama's executive action will strengthen public safety in this community and others, and will help dissipate the fear that pervades the lives of many immigrant and mixed-status families, including the fear that was generated by the Secure Communities program which the President's executive action discontinued; and
Whereas, A lawsuit captioned State of Texas, et. al. v. United States of America, et. al., was filed in December, 2014, by Texas and 24 other states in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division, seeking to halt implementation of the President's executive action; and
Whereas, Twelve states and the District of Columbia responded in January, 2015, with an amicus brief in support of the President's case in court; and
Whereas, More than 30 mayors have announced plans to file an amicus brief in this lawsuit in support of the President's executive action; and
Whereas, The Common Council is in support of the work of the Cities United for Immigration Action Coalition, formed to assist implementation of President Obama's executive action at the local level, as well as to urge Congressional action on immigration reform; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council supports President Obama's executive action of November 24, 2014, as well as his administration's future similar efforts to effect comprehensive federal immigration reform; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council endorses the mission of Cities United for Immigration Action Coalition in support of President Obama's executive action and continuing efforts directed at immigration reform; and, be it
Further Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City Attorney is authorized and directed, on behalf of the City, to sign onto the amicus brief being coordinated by Cities United for Immigration Action Coalition, challenging the lawsuit Texas, et. al. v. United States of America, et. al. Texas, et. al. v. United States of America, et. al. in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas and supporting President Obama's executive action on immigration reforms.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB1457064-1
TWM:lp
2/6/2015