HomeMy Public PortalAbout13-034RESOLUTION NO. 13-034
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARSON, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE ADOPTION OF
THE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM BY THE
113 TH CONGRESS
WHEREAS, the United States of America is a land of immigrants, and the migration of
people and families from all comers of the world has enriched American culture; and
WHEREAS, our city and America have prospered because of the social and economic
contributions of hardworking, aspiring citizens; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress last enacted major immigration reform legislation more
than a quarter-century ago; and
WHEREAS, America's current immigration system is outdated, hinders our economy,
and does not reflect our city or national values; and
WHEREAS, immigration is a federal responsibility and a comprehensive approach to
solving our broken immigration system would strengthen our city and nation's economy and free
aspiring citizens to make an even greater contribution to our communities; and
WHERAS, becoming a citizen of the United States means taking a solemn oath to uphold
our nation's Constitution; and
WHERAS, citizenship is an important symbol of full membership and participation in
society that should be encouraged, not barred; and
WHEREAS, broad immigration reform must include a realistic pathway to citizenship for
all hardworking, law-abiding, taxpaying, aspiring citizens who live in the United States if they
meet reasonable requirements; and
WHEREAS, keeping families together not only reflects American values, but is also
good for the economy because families provide a base of support that increases worker
productivity and spurs entrepreneurship; and
WHEREAS, broad immigration reform must reduce the unreasonable wait times and
arbitrary rules that keep families separated from their loved ones; and
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RESOLUTION NO. 13-034
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WHEREAS, broad immigration reform must provide a mechanism for aspiring citizens
who have grown up in this country, and for Temporary Protected Status grantees who face
severe dangers and hardships in their native countries, to become citizens and be able to fully
contribute to our shared future; and
WHEREAS, broad immigration reform must update the legal immigration system so that
employment visa policies more realistically match our nation's labor needs, are structured to
guarantee the same rights, obligations, and fairness for U.S. and immigrant workers, and provide
for the ability for workers to petition for permanent residency; and
WHEREAS, the federal government must make significant investments in the effective
enforcement of immigration laws while also ensuring accountability for those investments; that
enforcement operations remain consistent with the American commitment to fairness and due
process; and that security concerns do not unduly impede commerce, tourism, and legal
migration;
WHEREAS, broad immigration reform must make naturalization more accessible and
affordable for all of our nation's eligible legal permanent residents by addressing the high cost of
naturalization and enhancing the availability of English and civics instruction; and
WHEREAS, broad immigration reform should guarantee reasonable and fair access to the
basic safety net services that empower many immigrants to exercise community leadership and
engage productively with American society; and
WHEREAS, broad immigration reform legislation must encourage immigrants to build
deeper relationships in their communities and to attain citizenship by expanding access to the
educational and social opportunities that so many immigrants seek in order to become true
Americans; and
WHEREAS, patchwork attempts to mend the shortcomings and deficiencies of our
broken immigration system would undermine our potential for prosperity and leave us ill-
prepared to meet the challenges of the modem world, now, therefore
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Carson,
California, urge the 113th Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform as outlined in
this resolution that provides a reasonable path to citizenship and social integration for workers,
family members of U.S. residents, young people raised in this country, and other immigrants
whose contributions are critical to the healthy functioning of our economy and society.
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RESOLUTION NO. 13-034
PAGE301`3
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 16'h day of April, 2013.
Mayor Jim Dear
ATTEST:
City Clerk Donesia L. Gause, CMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
�_ity Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ss.
CITY OF CARSON
1, Donesia L. Gause, City Clerk of the City of Carson, California, do hereby certify that the
whole number of members of the City Council is five; that the foregoing resolution, being
Resolution No. 13-034 was duly and regularly adopted by said Council at a regular meeting
duly and regularly held on the 16 1h day of April, 2013, and that the same was passed and adopted
by the following vote:
AYES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Mayor Dear, Gipson, Davis -Holmes and Robles
NOES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
None
ABSTAIN:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
None
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Santarina
(/" _(�. -i'_ /. "a_e-4, -
City Clerk Donesia L. Gause, CMC