TITLE
Recommendation to request a resolution in support of Long Beach joining cities across the country in proclaiming March 21, 2017 Cities Immigration Day of Action.
DISCUSSION
Long Beach is a city of immigrants. We have been a refuge for those escaping war and for those seeking a better life. Over a quarter of Long Beach's population is foreign born, over 40% Latino, 12% Asian, and we are believed to have the largest Cambodian community outside of Cambodia, many of whom came here as refugees.
Many immigrants in Long Beach own their own businesses, work at our hotels or restaurants, and contribute greatly to our local economy as workers, consumers, business owners, and taxpayers. Our university and schools are home to many Dreamers and DACA recipients, working to achieve the American Dream.
The state of California has nearly 4.7 million people - including 2.4 million U.S. citizens among whom 1.7 million are children - who have at least one unauthorized family member living with them. Nationally, there are 16.7 million people, citizens or otherwise, who live in mixed status families, with least one unauthorized family member.
Deporting a family member can have devastating impacts on families and communities, leading to economic instability, housing insecurity, and children cycling through our foster care system. Even the threat of deportation puts enormous stress on communities and strains valuable ties of trust between immigrant communities and government institutions.
We know from police chiefs that a relationship of trust between law enforcement and the community is critical to crimes being reported and to the function of many of our basic institutions such as hospitals and schools. As city leaders, we have a moral obligation to stand up for our diverse communities.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
JEANNINE PEARCE
COUNCILMEMBER, SECOND DISTRICT
LENA GONZALEZ
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT
REX RICHARDSON
VICE MAYOR, NINTH DISTRICT