HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-15-0506City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution: R-15-0506
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 15-01406 Final Action Date: 11/19/2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING PRESIDENT
BARACK OBAMAAND THE 114TH CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO
PROTECT VENEZUELAN REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES AND ADJUST
THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS AS STATED HEREIN; DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS
STATED HEREIN.
WHEREAS, on October 9, 2015, a bipartisan committee of United States Congressmen
introduced the Venezuelan Refugee Assistance Act ("H.R. 3744"), a bill proposing to protect
Venezuelan refugees in the United States and adjust their immigration status; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 3744 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary; and
WHEREAS, whether the United States Senate will consider the bill is uncertain; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") recognizes that since 1999, crime in Venezuela has
skyrocketed, private corporations have been seized, media outlets and democratic institutions have
been threatened, human rights have been violated, and the repressive governments of Hugo Chavez,
and now Nicolas Maduro, have arbitrarily arrested, tortured and killed members of the civil society;
and
WHEREAS, Venezuelan refugees living in the United States will suffer terrible humanitarian
consequences under physical, moral, and psychological hardships if they are removed from the
United States after arrival and returned to Venezuela; and
WHEREAS, there is presently a backlog in interviews for political asylum for Venezuelan refugees
as far out as 2019; and
WHEREAS, the increase of Venezuelans deported and a continuation of current immigration
policies have exacerbated the living conditions of United States citizens who are children of
Venezuelan parents that have been or will be deported; and
WHEREAS, Venezuelans who have fled Venezuela to the City are now an integral part of the
City's cultural fabric and are vital to our region's economic growth due to the countless local
businesses and millions of dollars they have invested into our community; and
WHEREAS, the City has a population of more than 70% Hispanics/Latinos, many of whom are
Venezuelans and many of whom may have an expired immigration status; and
WHEREAS, the City is home to many immigrants from various parts of the world, including
Venezuelans, and it is the right time to demonstrate that keeping families together is a priority by
urging President Barack Obama and the United States Congress to protect Venezuelan refugees who
City of Miami
Page 1 of 2 File Id: 15-01406 (Version: 11 Printed On: 4/9/2018
File Number: 15-01406 Enactment Number: R-15-0506
are unable to safely return to their homeland;
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 adopted by
reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission urges President Barack Obama and the members of the
114th Congress of the United States to protect Venezuelan refugees in the United States and to
adjust their immigration status pursuant to H.R. 3744.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to President Barack
Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader
of the Senate, the Florida Congressional Delegation, and the thirty-five (35) municipalities that
comprise the Miami -Dade County League of Cities.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
the Mayor.{1}
Footnotes:
{1} If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10)
calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall
become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File Id: 15-01406 (Version: 11 Printed On: 4/9/2018