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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/03/2019 16 Refugee Resettlement; Consideration to Submit Letter to U.S. Secretary of State a\'4\lyy bxk ik 1 PP1-:4d PPP g. A PPPPPP+Pd s' lii it tYlltYlA.\ta. 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. 2 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 3 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. 4 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