Title
Approval of a Resolution Affirming and Recognizing the Vital Contributions of Immigrants to Washington State's Economy
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Resolution Affirming and Recognizing the Vital Contributions of Immigrants.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution recognizing the vital contributions of immigrants to the state's economy and calling for enactment of state laws and adoption of agency policies to protect immigrant communities and reduce the climate of fear.
Staff Contact:
Mark Barber, City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
Mayor Pro Tem Bateman
Background and Analysis:
On December 13, 2016, the Olympia City Council unanimously passed Resolution No. M-1857 declaring Olympia a Sanctuary City to protect immigrants in the City of Olympia from federal immigration policy overreach and to help reduce the climate of fear in our immigrant communities.
Washington State has a thriving economy, encompassing the agriculture, food processing, timber, construction, healthcare, technology, and hospitality industries. Washington employers rely on a diverse workforce to ensure the economic vitality of the state. Nearly one million Washingtonians are immigrants who comprise more than 16 percent of the state's workforce. Fifteen percent of all business owners in the state were born outside of the country, and these business owners have a large impact on the economy through innovation and the creation of jobs.
Immigrants make a significant contribution to the economic vitality of Washington State, and it is essential that the state have laws and policies that recognize their importance to Washington's economy. The proposed resolution requests that the Governor and state legislators enact state laws designed to reduce the climate of fear in immigrant communities, affirm the dignity of immigrants residing in this state, recognize their vital contr...
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