HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-040 CCRadoption:
Member Dan Ryan introduced the following resolution and moved its
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-40
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF A PATH TOWARD
LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR LIBERIANS
CURRENTLY PROTECTED BY TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS AND
FOR THE EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS UNTIL
SUCH A PERMANENT SOLUTION IS ENACTED
WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center is home to Liberians who sought safety
in the United States from the brutal armed conflict in their homeland; and
WHEREAS, many of the Liberians living in Brooklyn Center are lawfully here in
the United States under Temporary Protected Status, which has been afforded to citizens of
Liberia since the outbreak of the conflict in 1991; and
WHEREAS, the Secretary of Homeland Security has announced that, as of
October 1, 2007, Temporary Protected Status for Liberians will terminate; and
WHEREAS, upon the termination of Temporary Protected Status, Liberians who
have held this status will be subject to deportation from the United States, often without regard to
the family, property, or careers they leave behind in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the political and human rights situation in Liberia, although
improved since the time of the civil conflict, remains unclear as the new Liberian government
transitions to democracy; and
WHEREAS, much of the infrastructure of Liberia has been destroyed as a result
of the conflict, leaving Liberians without running water, electricity, access to basic health care,
and with a national unemployment rate of eighty-five percent; and
WHEREAS, the police and judicial systems in Liberia are in the early stages of
rebuilding following the conflict and the regime of Charles Taylor; and
WHEREAS, Senate File 656, the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of
2007, was introduced in the Senate on February 16, 2007; the House companion, the Liberian
Refugee Immigration Protection Act of 2007, H.R. 1941 was introduced on April 19, 2007; and
passage of this legislation would allow eligible Liberians living in the United States to apply for
lawful permanent resident status; and
WHEREAS, on July 30, 2007, the House approved H.R. 3123, which grants a
one-year extension of Temporary Protected Status and a Senate File has yet to be introduced; and
1
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-40
WHEREAS, the termination of Temporary Protected Status may endanger the
lives, safety, and well-being of Liberians living in the City of Brooklyn Center.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, that the City of Brooklyn Center encourages the Senate to follow
the path set by the House and grant the extension of Temporary Protected Status until such a
permanent solution is enacted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Brooklyn
Center urges the Minnesota Federal delegates to prioritize the debate and enactment of
legislation allowing Liberians living in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident
status.
March 24. 2008
Date
ATTEST: V_"
)Y
MZJ~' -
City Clerk
Mayor
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
Kay Lasman
and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
Tim Willson, Kay Lasman, and Dan Ryan;
and the following voted against the same: Mary 0' Connor and Mark Yelich;
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.