HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/03/2019 16 Refugee Resettlement; Consideration to Submit Letter to U.S. Secretary of State a\'4\lyy bxk ik 1
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 16.
For Meeting of: December 3, 2019
ITEM TITLE: Consideration of Submitting a Letter to the U.S. Secretary of State
Regarding Refugee Resettlement
SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Executive Order 13888, signed by President Trump in September of this year, requires states
and local governments to submit a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State in order to remain eligible
for refugee resettlement under the U.S Department of State Refugee Resettlement Program.
The legitimacy of the executive order is being challenged by multiple entities in court. Several
local and state officials are also urging the Trump Administration to rescind the executive order.
If the City of Yakima sends a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State regarding this issue, nothing
would change regarding the resettlement of refugees in the community. Yakima is currently
eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of State's Refugee Resettlement Program.
Sending a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State is a formality required by the executive order in
order for Yakima to remain eligible for the resettlement program.
Washington State Governor Jay I nslee has requested local governmental entities in the state
submit letters as required under the executive order. At its December 3rd regular meeting, the
Council will be asked to direct staff to send a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State under the
mayor's signature in order to remain eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of State
Refugee Resettlement Program.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to send a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State under the mayor's signature in order to
remain eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of State Refugee Resettlement Program.
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ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
memorandum-Refugee Rd:sewer-nen( prin9rin
11/26/2019 Gmcr Memo
Ekgibilay Letter to Ll S Secretary of State
EllaR Leiter to US, Socretry or State.re: Refugee
11/26/2019 Gmcr Memo
Resettlement Program Fkgbility
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IlVll ENlll O M V VOIIUII
To: Council Members
From: Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler
Subject: Refugee Resettlement Program Eligibility Letter to U.S. Secretary of State
Date: Tuesday, November 26'h, 2019
Council members,
On September 26th, President Trump signed Executive Order 13888 that changes certain practices
and procedures associated the U.S. Department of State Refugee Resettlement Program. The
most significant change as it affects the City is a requirement under the executive order for states
and local governments to submit a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State in order to remain eligible for
the refugee resettlement program.
If the City of Yakima sends a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State regarding this issue, nothing would
change regarding the resettlement of refugees in the community. Yakima is currently eligible to
participate in the U.S. Department of State's Refugee Resettlement Program. Refugees in the
program are occasionally resettled in the Yakima area. Sending a letter to the U.S. Secretary of
State is a formality required by the executive order so that Yakima can remain eligible for the
resettlement program.
The deadline for submitting letters is the end of 2019. If a local governmental entity does not submit
a letter by the end of the year, as of January 2020 it would no longer be eligible to participate in the
refugee resettlement program.
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, along with multiple local governmental entities in
Washington State, have already submitted letters to the U.S. Secretary of State affirming interest in
continuing to be eligible for the refugee resettlement program. The Yakima County Commission is
among the local governmental entities that have submitted letters.
The legitimacy of the Executive Order 13888 is being challenged by multiple entities in court.
Several local and state officials are also urging the Trump Administration to rescind the executive
order.
At its December 3rd regular meeting, the Council will be asked to direct staff to send a letter (see
attached draft letter) to the U.S. Secretary of State under the mayor's signature in order to remain
eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of State Refugee Resettlement Program. City staff
recommends the Council take such action.
Please let me know if you have questions or need additional information about this issue prior to the
Council's December 3rd regular meeting.
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December 4th, 2019
Secretary Michael R. Pompeo
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC, 20520
Dear Secretary Pompeo,
This letter is in reference to Executive Order 13888 "On Enhancing State and Local
Involvement in Resettlement."
As mayor of the City of Yakima, Washington, I hereby consent to initial refugee
resettlement in Yakima as per the terms of the executive order.
Sincerely,
Mayor Kathy Coffey
City of Yakima, Washington
cc:
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Carol T. O'Connell
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
U.S. Department of State