HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Cover PageAGENDA ITEM COVER PAGE
File ID: #14218
Resolution
Sponsored by: Commissioner Manolo Reyes
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION EXPRESSING ITS CONTINUED
SUPPORT FOR RAMON SAUL SANCHEZ'S APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT
RESIDENT STATUS ("PRS"); URGING THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND
IMMIGRATION SERVICES ("USCIS") TO REEVALUATE AND GRANT RAMON SAUL
SANCHEZ'S APPLICATION FOR PRS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN.
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-23-0309
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 14218 Final Action Date:7/13/2023
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION EXPRESSING ITS CONTINUED
SUPPORT FOR RAMON SAUL SANCHEZ'S APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT
RESIDENT STATUS ("PRS"); URGING THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND
IMMIGRATION SERVICES ("USCIS") TO REEVALUATE AND GRANT RAMON SAUL
SANCHEZ'S APPLICATION FOR PRS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN.
WHEREAS, Ramon Saul Sanchez, a renowned Cuban activist, was born into a poor
Cuban family in the province of Matanzas on September 1, 1954, and was sent to the United
States at the age of twelve to avoid military conscription under Fidel Castro's regime; and
WHEREAS, Ramon Saul Sanchez has been engaged in activism and advocacy,
excersicing his First Amendment rights in the United States, including hunger strikes,
demonstrations, and organizing flotillas to raise awareness about the atrocities of the Castro
regime in Cuba; and
WHEREAS, Ramon Saul Sanchez has spent the majority of his time in the United States
actively contributing to his community as the project manager of a nonprofit housing company,
leading the pro -democracy group, "Movimiento Democracia," hosting a radio program to raise
awareness, and engaging in efforts to support the Cuban exile community; and
WHEREAS, recent changes in the United State immigration policies have placed Cuban
immigrants, including Ramon Saul Sanchez, at increased risk of deportation, potentially
separating him from his home and loved ones in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") has
denied permanent residence to Ramon Saul Sanchez; and
WHEREAS, on July 25, 2019, the City Commission pursuant to Resolution No. R-19-
0281 urged the USCIS to reevaluate and grant Ramon Saul Sanchez application for permanent
resident status; and
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Resolution, Ramon Saul Sanchez's application
remains denied; and
WHEREAS, Ramon Saul Sanchez is now facing uncertainty regarding his immigration
status and could be deported to Cuba, which he left as a child fifty six (56) years ago to escape
the oppressive Castro regime; and
WHEREAS, Ramon Saul Sanchez's unwavering dedication to the cause of a free and
democratic Cuba and his tireless efforts to raise awareness about human rights issues in Cuba
deserve recognition and support; and
WHEREAS, Ramon Saul Sanchez's dedication to peaceful conflict resolution,
community building, and advocacy for the Cuban people and civil rights has established him as
a respected and valued pillar of the community; and
WHEREAS, the Cuban exiles' fight for freedom is a cause of special importance for the
City of Miami ("City") because of its substantial Cuban population and the incredible efforts of
the community to bring back a democratic system to Cuba and stop human rights abuses to
their countrymen; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to express its continued support for Ramon
Saul Sanchez's application for permanent resident status and urges the USCIS to reevaluate
and grant said application;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby expresses its continued support for Ramon
Saul Sanchez's application for permanent resident status.
Section 3. The City Commission hereby urges the USCIS to reevaluate and grant
Ramon Saul Sanchez's application for permanent resident status.
Section 4. The City Commission hereby directs the City Clerk to send a copy of this
Resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the
House of Representatives to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and
Representative from Florida in the Congress of the United States, and to the thirty-five (35)
municipalities that comprise the Miami -Dade League of Cities.
Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ndez, City tutor ey 6/29/2023