Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 072840
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File Number: 072840 File Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Version: 0 Reference: R-55-08 Control: Board of County Commissioners
File Name: SAFE HAVEN FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT CHILDREN Introduced: 9/25/2007
Requester: NONE Cost: Final Action: 1/10/2008
Agenda Date: 1/10/2008 Agenda Item Number: 11A13
Notes: Title: RESOLUTION URGING THE U.S. CONGRESS TO PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT CHILDREN IN THE U.S. UNTIL SUCH TIME AS CONGRESS ADOPTS A NEW POLICY RELATED TO SUCH CHILDREN
Indexes: IMMIGRATION
Sponsors: Audrey M. Edmonson, Prime Sponsor
  Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Sponsor
  Katy Sorenson, Co-Sponsor
  Barbara J. Jordan, Co-Sponsor
  Sally A. Heyman, Co-Sponsor
  Rebeca Sosa, Co-Sponsor
Sunset Provision: No Effective Date: Expiration Date:
Registered Lobbyist: None Listed


Legislative History

Acting Body Date Agenda Item Action Sent To Due Date Returned Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners 1/10/2008 11A13 Adopted P

Budget and Finance Committee 12/11/2007 2C Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation P
REPORT: Assistant County Attorney Jess McCarty read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. It was moved by Commissioner Sorenson that this proposed resolution be forwarded to the County Commission with a favorable recommendation. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Diaz. Commissioners Sorenson and Diaz asked that they be listed as co-sponsors. Responding to Chairman Martinez’ question whether this proposal supported illegal immigration, Assistant County Attorney McCarty advised that this resolution was applicable to children who immigrated to the United States as a result of a decision made by their parents; and that it would provide a path to citizenship for those children through college or military service. He clarified that this proposal would not apply to the parents of those children; that the children would be allowed to stay in the Country; that legislation on this issue was pending before the United States Congress; and that this proposed resolution would remain in effect, pending the adoption of new legislation. Commissioner Diaz emphasized that the County opposed illegal immigration. He explained that this proposed resolution was a humanitarian way to handle a sad problem. In response to Commissioner Souto’s question whether the County would maintain a registry of undocumented children that should not be deported, pursuant to the provisions of this proposed resolution, Chairman Martinez pointed out one of the consequences of this proposed resolution would be the creation of a registry. Hearing no other questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote.

County Attorney 9/25/2007 Referred Budget and Finance Committee 12/11/2007

County Attorney 9/25/2007 Assigned Jess M. McCarty 12/4/2007

Legislative Text


TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE U.S. CONGRESS TO PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT CHILDREN IN THE U.S. UNTIL SUCH TIME AS CONGRESS ADOPTS A NEW POLICY RELATED TO SUCH CHILDREN

BODY
WHEREAS, during the past several decades, there has been an increase in the number of undocumented children brought to this country by their parents; and
WHEREAS, some undocumented immigrant children were brought to the U.S. as infants, such as Juan and Alex Gomez, who currently have been allowed to stay in the U.S. until 2009, even though their parents have been deported to Colombia; and
WHEREAS, many undocumented immigrant children consider the U.S. their home and plan to remain here even though they do not have legal immigration status; and
WHEREAS, undocumented immigrant children typically do not themselves make the decision to come to the U.S., current U.S. immigration law treats such children no differently than undocumented immigrant adults; and
WHEREAS, these children live in fear of imminent unannounced detention, removal, and family separation; and
WHEREAS, such acts violate basic American values and traditions by destroying families, traumatizing and impeding the physical and psychological well-being and future of our children, and disrupting the social and economic cohesion of our community; and
WHEREAS, Congress currently is considering several types of legislation to address undocumented immigrant children; and
WHEREAS, until Congress decides on a new direction for immigration policy, the U.S. should provide a safe haven for undocumented immigrant children,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation providing a safe haven for undocumented immigrant children in the U.S. until such time as Congress adopts a new policy related to undocumented immigrant children.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit copies of this resolution to the Florida Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's federal lobbying team to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Section 1 above; and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2008 Federal Legislative Package.



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