Title
Approval of a Resolution Declaring Olympia a Sanctuary City
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The General Government Committee will consider the resolution on Friday, December 9 and provide a recommendation to the full City Council.
Consider a draft resolution that ensures that all Olympia residents are protected and served without regard to their immigration status.
City Manager Recommendation:
Consider the draft resolution.
Report
Issue:
Consider a Sanctuary City resolution.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360-753-8370
Presenter(s):
Jessica Bateman, Councilmember
Background and Analysis:
Following the recent national election, some Olympia residents have expressed fear and concern about possible changes in immigration policies. Numerous citizens have asked the City Council to pass a resolution making statements about how Olympia will treat immigrants, both legal and illegal.
Current City policies and practices do not discriminate when delivering services to Olympia residents or customers.
The City does not participate in the enforcement of immigration effort, notwithstanding criminal actions that may be committed by person who do not have legal citizenship status.
The resolution will make clear the City's intent with regard to immigration status is to treat all equally and not become an extension of possible immigration efforts to expulse residents from Olympia.
In 1985, the City Council passed a related resolution concerning Central American refugees. Many of the same concerns and resolutions are stated in the attached draft resolution that went to the General Government Committee on December 9 meeting. The Committee may suggest changes to the draft.
Councilmember Bateman has asked that this item be advanced to the full Council for consideration before the end of 2016 because of significant public interest in this topic. December 13 is the final scheduled City Council meeting for 2016.
Neighborhood/Community I...
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