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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/19/2017 05A Draft Immigration Reform LetterBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDASTATEMENT Item No. 5.A. For Meeting of: September 19, 2017 ITEM TITLE: Draft Immigration Reform Letter SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director SUMMARY EXPLANATION: At its September 5th business meeting, the Council directed staff to prepare a draft letter concerning its support of immigration reform in light of the pending elimination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA") program. The letter, once approved by the Council, will be sent to members of Congressional committees that will be debating immigration reform, the Washington State Congressional delegation, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and the members of the Washington State 14th District and 15th District delegations. A draft letter is attached and will be considered by the Council at its September 19th business meeting. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: N/A BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: N/A ATTACHMENTS: Description Draft Immigation Reform Letter Upload Date 9/12r2017 Type Cc er Memo 2 September ---, 2017 The Honorable Senator Chuck Grassley 135 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Grassley, The news from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on September 5'h that the Trump administration intended to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA") program was met in the Yakima Valley with deep concern. We, the City Council of the City of Yakima, Washington, strongly urge you to serve as a persuasive and resilient advocate for incorporating key elements of DACA and possibly the DREAM Act into immigration legislation and to steadfastly work to ensure such legislation is expeditiously adopted by Congress. The elimination of DACA seems inconsistent with President Trump's oft -repeated support of Dreamers, whom he has described as those "incredible kids" and whom he assured could "rest easy". For the nearly 800,000 Dreamers who were brought to this country by their parents and have since been granted DACA status after completing applications, submitting to and passing background checks, and applying for a work permit, the future seems tenuous. The announced cancellation of DACA, while very concerning, does offer Congress a chance to seize a unique moment of opportunity. Supporting comprehensive immigration reform is among the Yakima City Council's highest federal legislative priorities. As the elected policy-making body of the largest city in the Central Washington region and the county -seat of Yakima County, we fundamentally recognize the invaluable impact immigrants have had and will continue to have on our community. The fertile Yakima Valley has long been recognized as a leading agricultural region not only in the U.S., but around the world. Our valley produces more apples, hops, and mint than anywhere else in the country. Other tree fruits like cherries, pears, and peaches, as well as wine grapes, a wide variety of vegetables, and multiple other crops thrive here because of the Yakima Valley's unique soil conditions and climate, sophisticated irrigation networks, leadership in technological advances in agriculture, and unwavering commitment of generations of farming families. The Yakima Valley's agriculture -centric economy, though, would not and could not be as successful as it has been were it not for the qualified and skilled labor force — a labor force largely consisting of immigrants - that harvests, packs, and ships the multitude of crops grown here throughout the U.S. and to markets around the globe. Quite literally, the backbone of our region's internationally -renowned agricultural economy is that immigrant - based labor force. For many of the children of our area's immigrant agricultural workers, the Yakima Valley is the only home they have ever known. This is where they grew up. This is where their families, friends, jobs and lives are. This is their community and DACA offered those 3 daughters and sons of Yakima Valley immigrants a tangible and realistic opportunity to live out the American dream. It is imperative that Congress act swiftly and decisively to provide the descendants of the very people who have contributed so enormously to establishing the Yakima Valley as a global agricultural force the legitimate and genuine chance that DACA offered them to continue their education, to continue to work and contribute to our economy, and to continue to realize their American dreams. It is on their behalf, and that of the entire Yakima community, that we, the Yakima City Council, implore you to staunchly and adamantly champion legislation that will keep their dreams alive. Sincerely, Mayor Kathy Coffey Assistant Mayor Carmen Mendez Councilmember Dulce Gutierrez Councilmember Avina Gutierrez Councilmember Bill Lover Councilmember Maureen Adkison Councilmember Holly Cousens 15 Distributed at the T�'�VYI Meeting q-iq-I l September--, 2017 4 Honorable member of Congress, The news from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on September 511,that the Trump administration intended to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA") program was met in the Yakirna Valley with deep concern. We, the City Council of the City of Yakima, Washington, strongly urge you to serve as a persuasive and resilient advocate for incorporating key elements of either the Dream Act or BRIDGE Act into immigration legislation and to steadfastly work to ensure such legislation is expeditiously adopted by Congress. Supporting comprehensive immigration reform is among the Yakima City Council's highest federal legislative priorities. As the elected policy-making body of the largest city in the Central Washington region and the county-seat of Yakima County, we fundamentally recognize the invaluable impact immigrants have had and will continue to have on our community. The fertile Yakima Valley has long been recognized as a leading agricultural region not only in the U.S., but around the world. Our valley produces more apples, hops, and mint than anywhere else in the country. Other tree fruits like cherries, pears, and peaches, as well as wine grapes, a wide variety of vegetables, and multiple other crops thrive here because of the Yakima Valley's unique soil conditions and climate, sophisticated irrigation networks, leadership in technological advances in agriculture, and unwavering commitment of generations of farming families. The Yakima Valley's agriculture-centric economy, though, would not and could not be as successful as it has been were it not for the qualified and skilled labor force—a labor force largely consisting of immigrants -that harvests, packs, and ships the multitude of crops grown here throughout the U.S. and to markets around the globe. Quite literally, the backbone of our region's internationally-renowned agricultural economy is that immigrant- based labor force. For many of the children of our area's immigrant agricultural workers, the Yakima Valley is the only home they have ever known. This is where they grew up. This is where their families, friends,jobs and lives are. This is their community and only lawful residency will offer those daughters and sons of Yakima Valley immigrants a tangible and realistic opportunity to live out the American dream. The announced cancellation of DACA, while very concerning, does offer Congress a chance to seize a unique moment of opportunity. It is extremely imperative that Congress act swiftly and decisively to provide the descendants of the very people who have contributed so enormously to establishing the Yakima Valley as a global agricultural force the legitimate and genuine chance to continue their education, to continue to work and contribute to our economy, and to continue to realize their American dreams. It is on their behalf, and that of the entire Yakima community, that we, the Yakima City Council, implore you to staunchly and adamantly champion legislation that will keep their dreams alive. Sincerely,