WHEREAS, Immigrants are a vital part of Philadelphia’s community, and make significant contributions to the arts, culture, business and education in our City; and
WHEREAS, Immigrant populations also contribute to our City government; the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs and Echoes of Africa were created for such a purpose; and
WHEREAS, On Monday January 4, 2016 Mayor Kenney, on his first day in office, signed an Executive Order barring city law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reaffirming Philadelphia’s status as a sanctuary city for immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Kenney reiterated his support for the immigrant community in May when he refused to retract Philadelphia’s sanctuary city status; and
WHEREAS, Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump has promised to deport “anyone who has entered the United States illegally” and if elected, would create a “Deportation Task Force” and triple the number of ICE Deportation Officers, putting our immigrant communities at risk; and
WHEREAS, Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has caused Philadelphia’s sanctuary city status to be caught in the cross-fire of other election races in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, As Philadelphia’s City Council, we reject the vilification of immigrant populations that has been present in this election cycle and would like to thank our immigrant community for all that they have contributed to our City and we encourage them to continue to be the outstanding citizens they have always been; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the City Council of Philadelphia, Commends Mayor Kenney’s support and affirmation of Philadelphia’s status as a sanctuary city for immigrants and our City’s continued support for our immigrant population whom we are privileged to have as part of our community.
End