HomeMy WebLinkAbout24465 RESOLUTION NO. 24465
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S
POLICIES OF SEPARATING CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES AT THE
BORDER, DETAINING IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR CHILDREN
INDEFINITELY, AND CRIMINALLY PROSECUTING IMMIGRANTS
LAWFULLY SEEKING ASYLUM AND CALLING ON CONGRESS TO
IMMEDIATELY HALT THESE INHUMANE POLICIES AND ENACT FAIR
AND HUMANE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
WHEREAS, the Trump Administration recently implemented a new "zero tolerance"
policy to separate children from their parents at border crossings and hold the children in large
detention centers; and
WHEREAS, this new policy dramatically increases the number of vulnerable minors who
are in U.S. custody without the protection of their families, resulting in 10,773 migrant children in
U.S. custody as of May 2018, according to the United States Health and Human Services; and
WHEREAS, in practice, this policy has resulted in at least 3,000 minors who have been
separated from their families since April 19, 2018, according to the Department of Homeland
Security; and
WHEREAS, the purported goal of this new policy is to serve as a deterrent to prevent
people from crossing the border without documentation; and
WHEREAS, this policy has been replaced by a new policy of holding minors with their
parents in detention facilities for an indefinite amount of time; and
WHEREAS, this policy came at the express direction of Attorney General Jeff Sessions
after April 6th, 2018 when he directed each U.S. Attorney's Office along the Southwest Border
(i.e., Southern District of California,District of Arizona, District of New Mexico,Western District
of Texas, and Southern District of Texas) to adopt a policy to prosecute all Department of
Homeland Security referrals of section 1325(a) violations to the extent practicable; and
WHEREAS,the American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded that even brief detentions
cause "toxic stress and trauma" and may lead to long-term medical and mental health risks for
children; and
WHEREAS, President Trump has called for the elimination of constitutional due process
for those seeking asylum; and
WHEREAS, these policies further escalates the increasing harassment and discrimination
of immigrants caused by the Trump's Administration policies; and
WHEREAS, this practice of separation from family and indefinite detention of minors
violates international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
which protects children from arbitrary arrest and detention; and
Resolution No. 24465
Page 2
WHEREAS, these practices also violate core American values, the United States
Constitution, the California Constitution, and binding federal and international law; and
WHEREAS, there are hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants, migrants,
refugees, and asylum seekers, including children, living in Riverside County including in Palm
Springs, and they are important and valued members of our communities, contributing to our
neighborhoods, our schools, and our workplaces and
WHEREAS, the administration's practices contravene the principles of Palm Springs and
California residents who value the dignity of humans, liberty, and justice for all.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Palm Springs City Council formally
calls upon Senators Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris and Congressman Raul Ruiz to take all
necessary action to immediately discontinue the Trump Administration's practices of housing
minors who cross the border in detention centers and prosecuting and indefinitely detaining
immigrants, including people lawfully presenting for asylum, without due process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Palm Springs City Council calls on the Trump
Administration to take responsibility for and end the"zero tolerance"policy as it is wholly within
the Administration's power to rescind this policy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Palm Springs City Council calls on Congress to
take action to stand up against these inhumane and immoral policies and ensure the immediate
return of children that have been separated from their parents. In particular, we urge Congress to
support the following legislation: S. 3036—Keep Families Together Act,R. 2572—Protect Family
Values at the Border Act, R. 5950/5.2937 — the HELP Separated Children Act, and R. 2043/S.
2468 —Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2018.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, Senators Diane Feinstein and
Kamala Harris, and Congressman Raul Ruiz.
ADOPTED THIS 11t' DAY OF JULY, 2018.
Robert Moon, Mayor
J.R. Roberts, Mayor Pro Tern Christy Holstege, Council Member
\- /�----
Geoff Kors, Council Member Lisa Middleton, Council Member
Resolution No. 24465
Page 3
I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 24465 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting
of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on July 11, 2018, by the following vote:
AYES: HOLSTEGE, KORS, MIDDLETON, ROBERTS, MAYOR MOON
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of
Palm Springs, California, this 171h day of July 2018.
6tho J. i
City Clerk