Urging the President of the United States to establish a comprehensive national policy regarding our undocumented immigrants that seeks to preserve and protect families that have fled to this country from situations of widespread violence and depravation and to also prevent future deportation raids that tear apart our communities.

WHERAS, On Monday, January 4, 2016 Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson confirmed that ICE authorities apprehended one hundred twenty one adults and children during raids conducted over New Year’s weekend as part of a nationwide operation to deport undocumented immigrants; and

WHEREAS, The raids, supported by the Obama Administration which has targeted hundreds of families nationwide that crossed the southern border or those who have lost their documented status in the country since May 2014; and

WHEREAS, The one hundred and twenty one adults and children that were deported during the New Year’s weekend raids were primarily Central American families who fled the extreme violence in their home countries to seek safety, family unity and a better life; and

WHEREAS, These coordinated raids have caused fear and insecurity among immigrant families across the City of Philadelphia, where too many undocumented immigrants fear going to work, school and the hospital in fear of being deported; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia recognizes the significant economic, cultural and social contributions of its diverse and vibrant immigrant communities in our City; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order 5-16 established Philadelphia as a sanctuary city by ending the unjust collaboration between City officials and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has become a national leader in creating an immigrant friendly environment through cultural and economic initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Our City of Brotherly Love is home to families who flee extreme violence in their native countries to seek safety, family unity and a better life in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia embraces international standards respecting the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and urges our federal government to likewise respect and uphold the rights of refugees and asylum seekers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THR CITY OF PHILADELPHIA urges the Department of Homeland Security to immediately halt mass deportation raids of Central American refugees. The City of Philadelphia also calls upon federal officials to implement just and humane immigration policies that preserve the unity and safety of refugees and asylum seekers.

FUTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Field Director for Pennsylvania Immigration, Customs Enforcement Field Director and the City of Philadelphia Immigrant and Cultural Affairs Office.

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