TITLE
Recommendation to Support SB 54 (De Leon), The California Values Act, and SB 31 (Lara), the California Religious Freedom Act. These two legislative proposals protect the safety and well-being of all Californians by ensuring State and local resources are not used to support deportations, separate families, collect information about an individual's religious beliefs or affiliations, and ultimately hurt California's economy.
DISCUSSION
On Wednesday, January 25, 2017, President Trump signed two Executive Orders related to immigration. The Executive Orders direct federal agencies and departments to "secure the southern border of the United States through the immediate construction of a physical wall on the southern border, monitored and supported by adequate personnel so as to prevent illegal immigration, drug and human trafficking, and acts of terrorism; and detain individuals apprehended on suspicion of violating Federal or State law, including Federal immigration law, pending further proceedings regarding those violations"; "Ensure that jurisdictions that fail to comply with applicable Federal law do not receive Federal funds", and "Ensure that aliens ordered removed from the United States are promptly removed".
As a vibrant, multi-cultural city, Long Beach thrives on the ingenuity, entrepreneurship, and diversity of our immigrant communities and American-born residents. Over 40% of the Long Beach population identifies as Latino, and 12% identify as Asian. It is also believed Long Beach has the largest Cambodian population outside of Southeast Asia; and many Cambodians in Long Beach came to the United States as immigrants and refugees from 1975 to 1979. The United States Census Bureau reports 26% of Long Beach's population, between 2011-2015, stated they were foreign-born; this population includes anyone who was not a United States citizen at the time of birth regardless of whether or not they have become a United States citizen since.
The diversity within Long Beach also includes diversity of religion. In California, we celebrate the rich cultural heritage and diversity of our residents. Freedom of religion and protection from discrimination on the basis of religion are founding ideals of our nation. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the free exercise and enjoyment of religion without discrimination. California must uphold the protection of religious freedom for all of its people, and the State has a moral obligation to protect its citizens from religious persecution.
Since 2012, business in downtown Long Beach have doubled. In March 2016, the unemployment rate in Long Beach reached a nine-year low; and in 2016, revenue per available Long Beach Hotel room increased 8.8% over 2015 levels, reflecting an increase in tourism and convention attendance. Clearly, Long Beach is growing, and our economic is strong. President Trump's recent Executive Orders run counter to Long Beach's blue print for success.
Neither immigration enforcement, or the collection of religious information are a local or State responsibility. Immigration is a federal policy issue between the United States government and other countries. Long Beach, along with other major cities and the State of California, believe enforcing immigration at the local level undermines the trust and cooperation with immigrant communities, which are essential elements of community oriented policing. Long Beach follows the California TRUST Act, and our current practice is not to hold individuals on immigration violations alone.
Given the caustic directives being issued by our nation's newly elected President, it is important the City of Long Beach is clear on where we stand. Long Beach is a safe and welcoming City. We will protect the safety and well-being of all Californians by ensuring State and local resources are not used to support deportations, separate families, and ultimately hurt California's economy. The City also does not intend on using local resources to assist the federal government with the creation of a registry of individuals based on religious affiliation, national origin, or ethnicity for immigration purposes.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LENA GONZALEZ
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
JEANNINE PEARCE
COUNCILMEMBER, SECOND DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT
REX RICHARDSON
VICE MAYOR, NINTH DISTRICT