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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-130-3685_-_Treatment_of_Haitian_Migrants_-_Adopted.docxRESOLUTION NO. 2021-130-3685 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE MISTREATMENT OF HAITIAN MIGRANTS AT THE UNITED STATES BORDER; URGING THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ENSURE PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS HAITIAN MIGRANTS AT THE UNITED STATES BORDER; PROVIDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CITY CLERK; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, in 2010 the country of Haiti suffered a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that collapsed buildings, destroyed neighborhoods, killed thousands, crippled the country’s infrastructure, and brought hardship to its already-struggling population, and WHEREAS, for years Haiti has suffered from political instability, most recently culminating in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, and WHEREAS, as a result of any of these factors individually or in combination, Haitian migrants have previously traveled hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles through various countries in South and Central America, in an effort to reach the United States border with Mexico (the “Border”) and gain entry to the United States, and WHEREAS, images from the Border have surfaced that seemingly depict the inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants by United States Customs and Border Protection, and WHEREAS, Haitian migrants are reportedly being repatriated to Haiti from the Border without the opportunity to request asylum proceedings, and WHEREAS, Councilwoman Linda Julien recommends the City Council urges the United States government to undertake measures that provide for the fair welfare of Haitian migrants and ensure procedural safeguards against abuses of Haitian migrants at the Border seeking entry to the United States; and that the United States government employ the full weight of its influence and power to ensure that all Haitian migrants at the Border are treated with compassion, dignity, and humanely. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: The foregoing Whereas paragraphs are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution. Section 2: EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT: The City Council of the City of Miami Gardens hereby urges the United States Government to undertake measures that provide DocuSign Envelope ID: 8CF2115E-810F-43F0-9037-784A5CD5B090 Page 2 of 2 Resolution No. 2021-130-3685 for the welfare of Haitian migrants and ensure procedural safeguards against abuse of Haitian migrants at the Border seeking entry to the United States; and that the United States government employ the full weight of its influence and power to ensure that all Haitian migrants at the Border are treated with compassion, dignity, and humanely. Furthermore, the City Council strongly encourages all municipalities in Miami-Dade County to pass a similar Resolution. Section 3: INSTRUCTION TO THE CITY CLERK: The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit certified copies of this Resolution to the U.S. Congressional Representative whose districts encompass the City of Miami Gardens, President Joe Biden Administration, and to the Clerk of each municipality in Miami-Dade County for distribution to their elected officials. Section 3: EFFECTIVE DATE: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its final passage. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS AT ITS REGULAR MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 13, 2021. ________________________________ RODNEY HARRIS, MAYOR ATTEST: ________________________________ MARIO BATAILLE, CMC, CITY CLERK PREPARED BY: SONJA KNIGHTON DICKENS, CITY ATTORNEY SPONSORED BY: COUNCILWOMAN LINDA JULIEN Moved by: Councilwoman Julien Seconded by: Councilwoman Campbell VOTE: 6-0 Mayor Harris Absent Vice Mayor Leon Yes Councilwoman Campbell Yes Councilwoman Ighodaro Yes Councilwoman Julien Yes Councilman Stephens, III Yes Councilwoman Wilson Yes DocuSign Envelope ID: 8CF2115E-810F-43F0-9037-784A5CD5B090