HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2010-173RESOLUTION NO. 2010-173
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA REGARDING NATIONAL IMMIGRATION
ISSUES
WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista seeks solutions that embrace fairness, equal
treatment and due process, and has historically supported policies that prohibit discrimination
based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability;
and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Chula Vista Police Department is to treat all persons with
respect, dignity and fairness; to provide professional and proactive police service; to manage
resources effectively and to encourage community partnerships; and
WHEREAS, investigating a person's immigration status and enforcing immigration law is
primarily a federal responsibility; and
WHEREAS, the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees due
process and equal protection for United States citizens, legal residents and visitors, and gives
Congress exclusive power over immigration legislation; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for the federal government to reform and enforce the
immigration laws of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Chula Vista's law enforcement officers inquire about a person's
immigration status only when that individual is arrested for, or believed to be engaged in criminal
activity other than a federal immigration violation; and
WHEREAS, the Chula Vista Police Department opposes discrimination and racial
profiling, and does not, and shall not rely on race, ethnicity, national origin or language to
determine who to investigate; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager will provide updates to the City Council when police
department guidelines regarding immigration status inquiries change from current policies
established by the Chief of Police; and
WHEREAS, the Chula Vista City Council believes federal funds should be used to
enforce national immigration law and not for promoting racial profiling or any other form of
discrimination; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chu]a Vista's staff and elected officials are open to discussing
important issues such as these with members of the public, recognizing the importance of
workable solutions that uphold our nation's values; and
WHEREAS, the Chula Vista City Council is interested in policies and actions that unite
our community and not divide it; and
Resolution No. 2010-173
Page 2
WHEREAS, all Chula Vistans deserve to feel safe and at ease in their community; and
WHEREAS, on April 23, 2010, the State of Arizona enacted Senate Bill 1070 (Support
Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, hereinafter called "AZ SB1070",) bringing
discussion of the immigration issue to the forefront; and
WHEREAS, AZ SB1070 makes it a state crime - a misdemeanor - to fail to carry
immigration papers and allows people to sue local government or agencies if they believe federal or
state immigration law is not being enforced; and
WHEREAS, AZ SB1070 gives local law enforcement broad power to detain "when
practicable" anyone reasonably suspected of being in the country without authorization and to
verify their immigration status with federal officials, unless doing so would hinder an investigation
or emergency medical treatment; and
WHEREAS, AZ SB1070 may undermine the United States Constitution, which grants
Congress exclusive power over immigration legislation and recent reports indicate that it will be
challenged by the United States Justice Department; and
WHEREAS, United States President Barack Obama and the United States Conference of
Mayors, led by Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, have criticized AZ SB 1070 and have urged Congress to
take up the issue nationally; and
WHEREAS, due to our location near the International Border, this issue is also of great
concern to the City of Chula Vista and its residents.
that:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista
1. We reaffirm our City Policy regarding Adult Undocumented Persons, recognizing and valuing the
diversity of our community, while ensuring safety and the well being of all persons, regardless of their
immigration status; and
2. We strongly oppose AZ SB 1070 and: a) urge the Federal Government to prioritize immigration
reform, and: b) urge the California Governor and our California legislative delegation to oppose
AZ SB 1070 and any form of law similar in nature; and
3. We duect the City Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to the following: a) United States President
Barack Obama; b) California Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein; c) California
Representative Bob Filner; d) the House Judiciary Committee Chair, John Conyers Jr.; e) House
Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security & International
Law Chair, Zoe Lofgren; f) Senate Judiciary Committee Chair, Patrick Leahy; and g) Judiciary
Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees & Border Security Chair, Chuck Schumer.
Resolution No. 2010-173
Page 3
Presented by 7
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Mitch Thompson
Cou~ilmember
Pamela Bensoussan
Councilmember
Approved as to form by
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Bart C. Miesf
City Attorn
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista,
California, this 22nd day of June 2010 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Bensoussan, Castaneda and Thompson
NAYS: Councilmembers: Cox
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Ramirez
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Cheryl ox, ~ayor
ATTES/T~
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Donna R. Norris, CMC~ City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
I, Donna R. Norris, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution No. 2010-173 was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at a
regular meeting of the Chula Vista City Council held on the 22nd day of June 2010.
Executed this 22nd day of June 2010.
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Donna R. Norris, CMC, City Clerk