05-01-07 Item 201
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3
4 RESOLUTION NO.
5
6 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
7 OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF THE HAITIAN
8 IMMIGRANTS BASED ON THE "WET -FOOT /DRY - FOOT" POLICY AND
9 URGING PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND THE UNITED STATES
10 CONGRESS TO RESCIND THE DISC''RIMINATORY IMMIGRATION POLICIES
11 AGAINST HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS AND CALLING FOR THE, EQUAL
12 TREATMENT OF ALL IMMIGRANTS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
13 DATE
14
15 WHEREAS, the United States has a long history of welcoming with open arms
16 individuals who have fled their homeland because of political and economic instability; and
17
18 WHEREAS, Haiti is a country that has been plagued by political and economic instability
19 over several decades; and
20
21 WHEREAS, over the years many Haitian migrants have fled their homeland in search of
22 a politically safe haven and a better life in the United States and
23
24 WHEREAS, recently 101 Haitian Asylum Seekers arrived ashore in nearby Hallandale
25 Beach after spending three weeks at sea, without food or water, on a leaky boat; and
26
27 WHEREAS, the immigration policy of the United States provides for the immediate
28 detention and deportation of Haitians who arrive to the United States by boat; and
29
30 WHEREAS, numerous local civic, religious, and political organizations have expressed
31 moral outrage against the disparate treatment that Haitians have received under the immigration
32 laws of this country; and
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34 WHEREAS, the civic, religious, and political organizations have asked as a matter of
35 fairness and morality for the immediate release; from detention of the 101 Haitian Asylum
36 Seekers; and
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38 WHEREAS, it has been documented that asylum seekers, who are free from detention,
39 have a better chance of winning an asylum claim due to adequate access to lawyers; and
40
41 WHEREAS, volunteer bar associations, including the Haitian Lawyers Association, have
42 agreed to provide free legal representation to the Haitian Asylum Seekers; and
43
44 WHEREAS, the City Commission calls upon our federal officials to release from
45 detention the 101 Haitian Asylum Seekers in order for them to pursue their asylum claims with
46 adequate access to lawyers; and
47
48 WHEREAS, the City Commission strongly supports the plea made by other organizations
49 for the immediate release of the 101 Haitian Asylum Seekers.
50
51 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
52 COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT:
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Section 1. The foregoing recital paragraphs are hereby ratified and confirmed as
3
being true, and the same are hereby made part of this Resolution.
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Section 2. The City Commission hereby requests fair treatment and the immediate
6
release of the 101 Asylum Seekers, who recently arrived to our shore, in order for them to pursue
7
their asylum claims with adequate access to lawyers.
8
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Section 3. The City Commission hereby directs the City Clerk to forward a copy of
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this Resolution to the United States President, all Members of Congress of the United States,
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Florida Governor Charlie Crist and the South Florida Delegation of the State Legislature.
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Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1l st day of May 2000
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ATTEST: APPROVED:
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CITY CLERK MAYOR
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Commission Voter
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READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mayor Feliu:
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Vice Mayor Wiscombe:
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Commissioner Palmer:
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Commissioner Birts:
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Commissioner Beckman:
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CITY ATTORNEY
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J:\My Documents\resolutions\Resolution supporting Haitian Asylum Seekers.feliu.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 2007-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
. NTT TMr 4%"TT%.A rb1, f— %rrW0gPY1kir+ T A 7ri TY] V A Ir'AX 'NTgr
r�lllr r if IWZJ ISLt Ht n, r� aritcl rk [ €, v�u.� � ai�.0 `L111V 11 \i%Z111I1LIA\ 1
FOR THE ONE HUNDRED AND ONE (101) HAITIAN ASYLUM
SEEKERS WHO RECENTLY ARRIVED ASHORE IN HALLANDALE
BEACH AND REQUESTING THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM
DETENTION; DIRECTING THE :CITY CLERK TO FORWARD THIS
RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AND STATE
OFFICIALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the United States has a long history of welcoming with open arms
individuals who have fled their homeland because of political and economic instability; and
WHEREAS; Haiti is a country that has been plagued by political and economic
instability over several decades; and
WHEREAS, over the years many Haitian migrants have fled their homeland in search of
a politically safe haven and ;a better life in the United States; and
WHEREAS, recently 101 Haitian Asylum Seekers arrived ashore in nearby 'Hallandale
Beach after spending three weeks at sea, without .food or water, on a leaky boat; and
WHEREAS, the immigration policy of the. United States provides for the immediate
detention and deportation of Haitians who arrive to the United States by boat, and
WHEREAS, numerous local civic, religious, and political organizations have expressed
moral outrage against the disparate treatment that Haitians have received under the immigration
Taws of this country;
WHEREAS, the civic, religious, and political organizations have asked as a matter of
fairness and morality for the immediate release from detention of the 101 Haitian Asylum
Seekers; and
WHEREAS, it has been documented that asylum seekers, who are free from detention,
have a better chance of winning an asylum claim due to adequate access to lawyers; and
WHEREAS, volunteer bar associations, including the Haitian Lawyers Association, have
agreed to provide free legal representation to the Haitian Asylum Seekers; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission calls upon our federal officials to release from
detention the 101 Haitian Asylum Seekers in order for them to pursue their asylum claims with
adequate access to lawyers,, and
WHEREAS, the City Commission strongly supports the plea made by other
organizations for the immediate release of the .101 Haitian Asylum Seekers.
82007 - Haitian Asylum seekers Release & Treatment Page 1 oP2
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS':
Section 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing recital paragraphs are hereby ratified
and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby made part of this Resolution.
Section 1 Request for Farr Treatment and Immediate Release of Haitian Asylum
Seekers. The City Commission hereby requests fair treatment and the immediate release of the
101 Asylum Seekers,; who recently arrived to our share, in order for them to pursue their asylum
claims with adequate access to lawyers.
Section 4. Directive to the City Clerk. The City Commission hereby directs the City Clerk
to forward a copy of this Resolution to the United States President, all Members of Congress of
the United States, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and the South Florida Delegation of the State
Legislature.
Section S. Effective Date, This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19'x' day of April 2007.
Orman S. delcup, Mayor
ATTEST:
- zz::"
Jane A. Hines, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
a s t' ty Attorney
Moved by. �imnti.�,e�na� 'R`"ZttV
Seconded. by. T—GL -isl As
Voter -C)
Mayor Edelcup (Yes) (No)
Vice Mayor Thaler (Yes) (No)
Commissioner Brezin lr(Yes) (No)
Commissioner Goodman (Yes) (No)
Commissioner Iglesias Yes) (No)
82007 Haitian Asylum Seekers Release & Treatment Page 2 A2
City Commission
5UN "Y is City of Sunny sles Beach y
s � � Norman S. Edelcup, Mayor
1$070 Collins Avenue Lewis J. Thaler, Vice Mayor
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160. Roslyn Biezin, Commissioner Gerry Goodman, Commissioner
* Danny Iglesias, Cominissioner
* (305) 947 -0606 City Hall
ay ry9� R� � ; Y (305) 949.3113 Fax A. John Szerlag, City Manager
orrY * F t o PNa {305} 947 °2150 Building Department Hans Ottinot, City Attorney
oF suN Jane A. Hines, City Clerk
(305) 947 -5107 Fax
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable City Commission
FROM: Norman S. Edelcup Mayor [,
DATE: April 19, 200
RE: Fair Treatment and Immediate Release of Haitian Asylum Seekers
Recommendation;
It is recommended that the attached. Resolution be adopted.
Reasons.
As we all know, the United States has a long history of welcoming with open arms individuals
who have fled their homeland because of political and economic instability. It is no secret that
the country of Haiti has been plagued by political and economic instability over several decades.
As a result of country conditions in Haiti, many Haitian Migrants with only the clothes on their
backs have fled their homeland in search of a better life in this country. Unfortunately, the
immigration Jaws in this country have not been fair to Haitians who are seeking the same
opportunities that have been provided to others.
A group of Haitian migrants who ; recently arrived ashore at nearby Hallandale Beach is facing
immediate deportation under these immigration laws. Because of the unfair and undignified
treatment of Haitian migrants, numerous political, religious, and civic leaders in this community
have recently called upon the federal government to treat the newly arrived group of Haitians
with compassion and justice. We can help the Haitian migrants to pursue their asylum claims, by
asking for their immediate release from detention.
Thank you for your support for this Resolution,
Agenda Item j C) 1
Date 4 ` 19 y p:1 1
RESOLUTION NO. R-2007-64
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR. AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORTH MIAMI, FLORIDA,
EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF THE HAITIAN
IMMIGRANTS BASED ON THE "WET- FOOT/DRY-
FOOT" POLICY AND URGING PRESIDENT GEORGE W.
BUSH AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO
RESCIND THE DISCRIMINATORY IMMIGRATION
POLICIES AGAINST HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS AND
CALLING FOR THE EQUAL TREATMENT OF ALL
IMMIGRANTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE AND ALL O'T'HER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the City of North Miami, Florida (City) is home to a vibrant and involved
immigrant community; and
WHEREAS, the immigrants who reside in the City are concerned about the welfare and
safety of immigrants in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the City of North Miami is a municipality governed by a legislative body
which include immigrants; and
WHEREAS, the United States immigration laws provide for disparate treatment against
Haitian immigrants; and
WHEREAS, certain nationals are granted credible fear interviews and often paroled into
the community once they touch dry land, while Haitian migrants are incarcerated indefinitely
and denied due process; and
WHEREAS, this current immigration policy is unfair, discriminatory and inhumane; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council call upon the Bush Administration and
Members of Congress to issue the necessary directives providing for equal treatment and due
process for all immigrants, including Haitian nationals, and the immediate release of the unjustly
incarcerated Haitian migrants; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Miami wish to support the
application of the "wet- foot /dry- foot" immigration policy to Haitian migrants.
Iwo 07 -168 - Page 1 of'3 -
NOW THERE FORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1I. Support for Equal 'Treatment of Immigrants. The Mayor. and City
Council supports the application of the "wet- foot/dry foot" immigration policy to Haitian
migrants and strongly encourage President George W. Bush and Members of Congress to issue
the necessary directives providing for due process for all immigrants and the immediate release
of the incarcerated Haitian migrants.
Section 2. Direction to the City Clerk. The City Clerk is directed to forward a
certified copy of this Resolution to the United States President, all Members of Congress of the
United States, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and all members of the Legislature of the State of
Florida, all Mayors of Miami -Dade County and to the local communications media.
Section 3. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by a 5 -0 _ vote of the Mayor and City Council of the
City of North Miami, Florida, this 10 _ day of April , 2007.
A VIN A. BURNS
MAYOR
r
ATTEST:
..'' FRAN j OLL D
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
V. VYW WHITFIELD
CITY ATTORNEY
SPONSORED BY: COUNCILWOMAN MARIE ERLANDE STERIL
Iwo 07 -168 - Page 2 o:F 3 -
Moved by:
Seconded by:
Vote:
Mayor Kevin A. Burns —x (Yes)
Vice Mayor Michael R. Blynn X (Yes)
Councilperson Scott Galvin X (Yes)
Councilperson Jacques A. Despinosse X _ (Yes)
Councilperson Marie Erlande Steril X (Yes)
two 07 -158 - Page 3 of 3 -
Councilman Blynn
Councilwoman Steril
(No)
(No)
(No)
(No)
(No)