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,