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Home My WebLink AboutR-97-0352k J-97-331 5/19/97 RESOLUTION NO. D 7` 352 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH NICARAGUAN FAMILIES AFFECTED BY PASSAGE OF THE IMMIGRANT RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1996 AND SUPPORTING CLASS ACTION SUIT NO. 97-790, FILED MARCH 26, 1997, BEFORE THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT, SEEKING RECOGNITION OF THE REFUGEE STATUS OF NICARAGUANS AFFECTED BY PASSAGE OF THE IMMIGRANT RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1996. WHEREAS, more than 12,390 students of Nicaraguan descent were registered in Dade County Public Schools as of November 30, 1996; and WHEREAS, during the 1980s, Nicaraguan families attempting to escape the communist tyranny in Central America that was being promoted by the Sandinista regime in power in Nicaragua were warmly received by this country; and WHEREAS, in 1987, the Nicaraguan Review Program (NRP) was created, and thousands of Nicaraguans obtained work permits in this country even though their immigration cases had not been finalized; and WHEREAS, in September, 1996, the NRP was canceled by the passage of the Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Act), leaving thousands of Nicaraguans unprotected and at -risk of being deported due to the retroactive provision of the Act; and CITY CONIMissIOI+E MEETING or MAY 2 2 1997 Resolution No. �I- rl52 WHEREAS, if the thousands of family members who have established residences in Florida, and have earned reputations as hard workers and contributors to the tax base of the state were deported, families would be separated; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are hereby adopted by reference thereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The Miami City Commission hereby expresses solidarity with Nicaraguan families affected by passage of the Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and support of class action suit No. 97-790, filed March 26, 1997, before the United States Federal Court, seeking recognition of the refugee status of Nicaraguans affected by passage of the Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 22nd day of May 1997. 2— J0 CAROLLO, MAYOR ATTEST: WALTER J. rCrEMAN, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: A. QUNN JON- s, III CITY ATTORNEY' W 1617:CSK 2- 97- 352 CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO The Honorable Mayor and Members DATE . May 21, 1997 FILE of the ommission SUBJECT Pocket Item FROM: Wifr Willy) Gort REFERENCES Cqn lssioneT ENCLOSURES I would like to bring up as a pocket item on the May 22, 1997 Commission Meeting a resolution proclaiming solidarity with Nicaraguan families affected by passage of The Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Thank you for your cooperation. WG/kk DATAfNCRGN-Pi cc: Edward Marquez, City Manager A. Quinn Jones, City Attorney Walter Foeman, City Clerk 9"7-- 352 109 'r RESQLU 10� ,,' NO. 97-14 01- i l•i t' 4 SC:H001, BOj\i2D OF UAUE COUNTY, Fi 'RIL)A PRnCLAINIING SOLIDARITY WITH NIC GUAN FANIILTES AFFECTED BY PASSAGE p� THE DAMlGRANT RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1996 WHEREAS, more than 12,390 students of Nicaraguan descent were registered in Dade County Public Schools as of November 30, 1996; and WHEREAS, The School Board of Oade County, Florida, is aware of class action suit No. 97- 0790, filed on March 26, 1997, before the United States Federal Court, seeking recognition of the refugee status of Nicaraguans affected by passage of the Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, and; WHEREAS, during the 1980s, Nicaraguan families attempting to escape the communist tyranny in Central America that was being promoted by the Sandinista regime in power in Nicaragua were warmly received by this country; and WHEREAS, in 1987 the Nicaraguan review program (NRP) was created, and thousands of LNIicar*guanc obtainod work pormita in this court" even though their immigration cases had not been finalized; and WHEREAS, in September of 1996, the NRP was canceled by the passage of the Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, leaving of thousands of Nicaraguans unprotected and at -risk of being deported due to the retroactive provision of the act; and WHEREAS, if the thousands of family members who have established residencies in Florida, and have earned reputations as hard workers and contributors to the tax base of this state were deported, families would be separated; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The School Board of Dade County, Florida, approve Resolution No. 97-14 of The School Board of Dade County, Florida, proclaiming solidarity with Nicaraguan families affected by passage of the Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. A copy of this resolution is placed in the permanent records of this Lioard. Presented this seventh day of May, A. D. 1997 THE SCHOOL BOARD OF DA.DE COUNTY, FLORIDA CHAIR l etary of School ACCErTED BY_ Nora Brit rff_- ndigo UUN;o;/r'ru�e:�iiciuu ,dic�:raguer�se 9'7- 352 MP: r'—t=.,: -97 l b : 32 P:02 4.r.-r!:t-�r'wrWa:r.,.. ��qlr� y�� r•� ryym . +'[�Jr '1�'_^;""' .�•.-. �T w� .71'•...:��. �.... ........... �•: f'M`w!r�..... AlKiIL The Honorable Judge Jwws Lawrence King United Satss Federal Court 99 Norths4st 4th 3weet Room 1127 Miardl Florida RE.- Stay of deportation for Nicaraguan regugeea Your Honor: April 21, 1997 '/.11� liia..��t1� lil�Ult'► h. '�;�11,liili 5lutri� Flrtlitl., .: i I.tiff I'alt l41011e: ,M l,N.737,t-1.: i 10l 7W-AllI" f ant deeply concerned about the fate of some 50,000 Nicaraguans who have arrived in the United States during the past decade seeking political asylum due to the mpressive conditions it their homeland, lVtany if not most of these people live Mthin the confutes of the Archdiocese of Miami. You yourself lmo►v of their reputation for hard worl; and how over the years they have integrated thernsch-es into our South Florida community . i :urn aware that cimendy there is a class action suit before your court (097.0790) filed on March 26 of this scar. This suit seeks recognition of the refagee status of these people. 1 have and continue to advocate that these Mearagum and other similuiy situated asylum seekers be granted the v0pommity to stay in the United States and adjust to permanent residency stasis. They have been in the country for such a long time. It would seem to be terribly disruptive of their lives, the lives of the families and even the life of our South Flonda community to have these people deported ttom the United States. 1 therefore joint my voice with those of our local congressmen and congresswomen in appealing to you to grant a stay of deportation of these members of this class action stet white it is -bring adjudieatcd. While your decision is pending, lNS should not be depottril these people. I hope that an equitable solution be found for these people left in an immigration limbo for for too many years. However, in the shaft run, a temporary stay of depoostion would provide than some protegion while they have their day in coup. Sincarety yours in the Ford, hbishop of Miarri 97- 352