REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Statement Supporting the US Conference of Mayors to Reverse the Department of Homeland Security's Family Separation Policies, and Authorize the Mayor to Advocate Against Such Policies
Report
DISCUSSION
News reports in the past week have highlighted the consequences of a troubling new U.S. "zero tolerance" policy that separates children from their parents at the United States Mexico border. Many families, especially those fleeing violence in Central America and Mexico seeking asylum protections offered to them under U.S. law, are being detained and divided at the border. Parents are being charged criminally and children, labeled as "unaccompanied" are transferred to the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services. Such policies are intended to discourage families from seeking safety in the U.S., but instead are having long-term traumatic impacts on vulnerable children.
Separating children from their families is inconsistent with American family values, as well as the Statement on Our City Values and Public Service (Attachment 2) adopted by the Council on February 2, 2017 (RTC No. 17-0070). By enforcing a policy that forcibly separates immigrant families, the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security fuel a climate of hostility experienced by many immigrants and refugees residing in the United States, including Sunnyvale. The City Council in unanimously adopting the Statement on City Values and Public Services expressed its commitment to "protecting people of any race, religion, ancestry, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity."
EXISTING POLICY
Statement on Our City Values and Public Service adopted by City Council on February 7, 2017.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The approval of this Statement does not meet the definition of a project under the Public Resources Section 21065, thus, no environmental assessment under the California Environmental Quality Act is require...
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