Number
100068
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. WITKOWIAK
Title
Resolution opposing local policies that encourage discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity and calling on the federal government to enact and enforce uniform and effective immigration policies.
Analysis
This resolution urges opposition to piecemeal local immigration policies and practices that create a risk of racial and ethnic profiling and the deprivation of civil and human rights. The resolution further calls upon the federal government to enact uniform immigration policies that are transparent, humane, efficient, and which lead to a peaceful and productive nation.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee has been built upon the contributions of immigrants from countries and regions throughout the world, contributing to a vibrant and diverse culture; and
Whereas, The Congress of the United States has considered and debated reforms of the immigration system over several years without resolution; and
Whereas, The United States Supreme Court has held in the case of Hampton v. Mow Sun Wong, 426 U.S. 88 (1976), that Article I, Section 8, of the United States Constitution confers upon Congress the power to legislate immigration law and set immigration policy; and
Whereas, State and local governments have attempted to address issues of undocumented aliens and unlawful immigration in a variety of ways, most recently resulting in the controversial passage of legislation in the State of Arizona known as Senate Bill 1070: and
Whereas, Legislation such as Arizona's S.B. 1070 confers federal immigration enforcement powers upon state and local law enforcement agencies without providing additional resources resulting in reduced capacity to meet local law enforcement needs; and
Whereas, Immigration and naturalization policies and enforcement practices that vary from one local jurisdiction to the next result in uncertainty and unnecessary confusion and in fear of local authorities by citizens and by lawful immigrants and may disrupt business and employment practices; and
Whereas, Vague or ill-defined terms describing those circumstances in which persons may be stopped, questioned or detained due to suspicion of undocumented status may result in serious risks to civil and human rights; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Congress of the United States is strongly urged to swiftly enact comprehensive immigration and naturalization reform that preserves the civil and human rights of all persons, and that promotes domestic commerce; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee opposes practices by state and local jurisdiction that risk racial and ethnic profiling in efforts to address immigration and naturalization; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council shall not participate in or authorize its representatives and employees of the City to participate in any conferences or meetings in the State of Arizona so long as Arizona's restrictive regulation of national immigration is enforced; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council shall not authorize any new City investments in financial institutions with companies based in or having a major presence in the State of Arizona until Arizona's S.B. 1070 is repealed, and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and to Wisconsin's Congressional delegation.
Drafter
LRB10180-3
RLW
4/30/2010