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Home My WebLink AboutR-82-0173M82-173 (3/5/82) i RESOLUTION NO. 82-173 A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PRESENT UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION POLICY; REQUESTING THAT ALL REFUGEES BE DEALT WITH ON A FAIR AND EQUITABLE BASIS AND THAT THERE BE NO DISCRIMINATION ON ACCOUNT OF SEX, CREED OR COLOR; FURTHER REQUESTING THAT PAST PRACTICE BE FOLLOWED BY NOT RETAINING PERSONS IN DETENTION CAMPS EXCEPT IN INSTANCES WHERE FAIL- URE TO RETAIN SUCH PERSONS WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE; FURTHER REQUESTING THE RELEASE OF HAITIANS WHO ARE PRESENTLY BEING DETAINED AT THE KROME AVENUE FACILITY; FURTHER REQUESTING THAT AFTER RELEASE OF THE HAITIAN REFUGEES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARRANGE FOR SUPPORT SERVICES AND RELO- CATION TO OTHER PARTS OF THE NATION; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO FORWARD A COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE UNITED STATES DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE UNITED STATES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The City Commission hereby requests that all refugees in this country be dealt with on a fair and equitable basis and that there by no discrimination on account of sex, creed or color. Section 2. The City Commission hereby further requests that, based on the aforesaid principle of nondiscrimination and fair and equitable dealing, the Federal Government follow past practice and not retain refugees in detention camps except in instances where there are compelling reasons (e.g., individuals with a criminal record or with communicable diseases) which, if ignored, would be detrimental to society as a whole. Section 3. The City Commission hereby further requests the release of Haitians who are presently being detained at the Krome Avenue facility and further requests that once these persons have been released, the Federal Government arrange for supportive services and for the relocation of the Haitians to other parts of this nation. Section 4. The City Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of the herein resolution to the President of the United States, the United States Attorney General, the United States Deputy Attorney General and the United States Justice Department. CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF FEB 2 5 1982 IE00LttfgN ta. 82:173.... PASSED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of February, 1982. Maurice A. Ferre M A Y 0 R ATTEST: ALPH �G. ONGIE, CITY CLEW PREPARED AND APPROVED BY: ROBERT F. CLARK DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY APPROY-ET)AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: GEORGE/q. KNOX, JR. CITY ATIORNEY -2- 82-173 11 S� i CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA '? INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM 4` O Hon. Mayor Maurice Ferre DATE February 25, 1982 FILE i and Members of the City Commission SUBJECT. Report on my visit to Krome Avenut and testimony before the House Select Committee on Refugee Impact. FROM: REFERENCES: Commissioner Demetrio Perez, Jr. ENCLOSURES: Last Friday, February 19, I toured the facilities at the Krome Avenue — Refugee Camp. Accompanying me on this fact-finding visit were: Mrs. Athalie Range Rev. Martin Anorga Deputy Chief Clarance Dickson Assistant City Manager Cesar Odio. A copy of my report has been made available to all of you. Therein are my observations and recommendations on this matter. The day after the visit to Krome, I testified before the Florida House Select Committee on Refugee Impact. This committee, chaired by Representative Barry Kutun, met in Miami in an effort to receive first hand testimony on the impact of the refugee problem in the greater Miami area. During the course of the hearings, several recurrent themes promted the Chairman to request the following information from the City of Miami: 1. Amount of money spent by the City on refugee related expenses. Projection of how much more the City is expecting to spend in the near future. I; e'2-7 - 7 2. Reasons why minimum housing standards are not being enforced by the City inspectors. Estimate of funds needed by the City in order to enforce housing code violations, and proposal of number of inspectors and/or other staff needed to carry out a proper project of bringing housing up to standards. By copy of this memo to Mr. Howard Gary, I'm transmitting the request of the House Select Committee, and as soon as the information is available we should make it available to Rep. Kutun, Chairman. Item one should be qualified in terms of time, since the City has been spending money on refugee related matters for a very long time. I feel that the intent of the Committee' inquiry is limited to the impact of the Haitian and Mariel influx of the last five years. I feel that this is a good opportunity to go on record with the figures that we have spent on a matter that is clearly a Federal problem, and to try to obtain some relief from State and Federal sources. 40 VISIT TO THE KROME AVENUE REFUGEE CAMP A report by Commissioner Demetrio Perez, Jr. e Twenty years ago I arrived at this land of freedom. America opened its doors to me and gave me the opportunity to share its wealth of liberty, education, progress, and free enterprise. On February 19, 1982, as a City of Miami Commissioner dedicated and committed to represent all of the people in this community, I visited the Krome Avenue Refugee Camp in order to observe first hand a problem that is of utmost importance to all the people of Miami. Touring the camp with me were: Mrs. Athalie Range Rev. Martin Afiorga Deputy Chief Clarence Dickson, Miami Police Dept. Cesar Odio, Assistant City Manager The camp staff was courteous and cooperative during our visit and allowed us to examine the health clinic, the recreation areas, living areas, dormitories, dining areas, court room, rest rooms, and even the solitary confinement area. The following observations and recommendations are offered by me, but I am certain that the rest of the group would concur on most issues. PHYSICAL FACILITIES Contrary to the public perception, most of the buildings we toured were adequate in terms of cleanliness, appearance, size and function. The dormitories looked well kept and the linen seemed clean. The population in general was well clothed and showed no apparent evidence of poor nutrition. While it is obvious that many improvements on the areas of food r-11 - 2 - CMF(Offimw and shelter have been made and many more are underway, it was easy to see that food, clothing, and shelter, are not the main concerns of the people detained there. HEALTH NEEDS While it is apparent that the medical staff and related facilities are adequate at the camp (including one Doctor who is a Haitian - American) two problems should be investigated as soon as possible and if they already are being investigaded, then the City Commission should request an immediate status report on the following, due to the potential effect it may have on our community. 1. High incidence of positive results in tests to determine shyphilis(based on V.D.R.L. test). Many knowledgeable sources state that due to certain factors found in the Haitian population these tests are not accurate when given to Haitians, and that many people are being labeled or have been labeled "shyphilitics" erroneously, with all the consequences the label carries in matters of seeking residency, employment, etc. 2. Breast enlargement in the male. The origins and communicability of this condition must be studied for its possible effect on our city. The most serious health problem observed was an almost endemic feeling of depression and frustation arising from psychological needs that are not being met, such as a lack of control over one's life and destiny, and the effects of indefinite incarceration without the hope for a solution one way or the other. SOCIAL NEEDS A great number of refugees would approach us begging us to relay a word or message to relatives in the United States. Many complained of frequent fights over the use of telephones. The City Commission should make the following recommendations: 1. Install more telephones and eliminate the 25 cents per call. These people are in an environment where twenty five cents per call represents a substantial amount. Furthermore, contact with the outside world, even if it's over the phone, will be a healthy influence and as much a deterrent to depression, violence and boredom. 2. Create a system, which could be handled and funded by the agencies providing social services to the 4 - 3 - ell I refugee community, enabling the inmates to establish contact and communications with family members on the outside. Mrs. Range, Chief Dickson, Rev. Aftorga and myself, received over one hundred written requests during our short visit, all with the same message "please contact my family, let them know where I am." EDUCATIONAL NEEDS Four "English as a second language" instructors are available for a population of 631. No special program exists for the two children and 15 juveniles (13-17 yrs.) at the camp. Special attention must be a top priority item to this vulnerable age group. Besides English, marketable skills should be taught to the inmates. Classes aimed at facilitating the process of acculturation should be started immediately in case the persons are released to the community. LEGAL NEEDS The main problem is the length of encarceration. Most of the people we saw had been there 10 months. The process should be sped up, and the refugees deserve a much quicker reply as to whether they will be deported or released. Increased legal help is needed by most of the refugees. In closing I repeat that we must ask that the entire process be given a new push in order to expedite the cases at Krome. We also need a clarification on the type of cases being sent to Krome, since I saw at least one instance of one Hispanic man who lived in our community for two years before being sent to Krome. Most of all, it is imperative that we find a solution to this problem which is not only present at Krome Avenue, but in the hearts of our neighborhoods as well. RAIPH G. ONGIF City Clerk MATTY HIRAI Assistant Cih Cleri� DEPUTY CITY CEERK*; Robert f iin¢1i•. Georra M 11W. flee iern", Ss h is '�1.:�1t�r•c!. : Echo R1.• MICROF It Ni DI'% 151C)`. Dorotbv Brov,: Domingo ALo,ta March 8, 1982 The President The White House Washington D. C. Dear Mr. President: Enclosed herein please find a copy of Resolution No. 82-173 passed and adopted by the City of Miami Com- mission at its meeting held on February 25, 1982, in connection with the Haitian refugees, which is self- explanatory. On behalf of the City, thank you, for your kind attention. Respectfully, LPH G. ONGIE CITY CLERK RGO:smm Enclosure OFFICE OF THE CITY CI.FRK, City Hall / 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, Florida 33133 ' 579-6065 OV (a ffimmo Marh 8, 1982 The Honorable William French Smith United States Attorney General Constitution Avenue & 10th Street N. V. Washington, D. C. 20530 Dear Mr. Attorney General: Enclosed herein please find a copy of Resolution No. 82-173 passed and adopted by the City of Miami Com- mission at its meeting held on February 25, 1982, in connection with the Haitian refugees, which is self- explanatory. RALPH G. ONGIf City Clerk MATTY HIRAI Assistant City Clvri DEPUTY CITY CHRK. Robert f 1 enk:a . Geurt;c, \1 Li"' I�id lrt•n,� MICROIRM DIVISIO`, Duroth� Brov. r. DurnurKu Atu•;e On behalf of the City, thank you, for your kind attention. ectfully, RALPH G. ONGIE CITY CLERK RGO:smm Enclosure OHIO Of THE CHN CIfRK Cm Hall 3500I'an American Drne Miami. Ilunda 33133 , 579.6065 l JI 4r March 8, 1982 The Honorable Kenneth W. Starr U. S. Deputy Attorney General Constitution Avenue & 10th Street, N. 19. Washington, D. C. 20530 Dear Mr. Deputy Attorney General: Enclosed herein please find a copy of Resolution No. 82-173 passed and adopted by the City of MIami Com- mission at its meeting held on February 25, 1982, in connection with the Haitian refugees, which is self- explanatory. RALPH G. ONGlf Cit? Clerk MATTY HIRAI Assistant City Clet k DEPUTY CITY CLERKS Robert f ltnglf-� Georgia ki Ltft'f Iid 1orr,• ci Ikla Nt..Mend(.. MICROFILM DI\ISIO'\ Duruth� Hrm%n Domtnga Acosta On behalf of the Ciyt, thank you, for your kind attention. Res ectfully, LL G. ONGIE CITY CLERK RGO:smm Enclosure OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK/ City Hall / 3500 Pan American Drive / Miami, Flurida 33133 / 579-6065