A RESOLUTION calling for federal-level immigration reform, denouncing Arizona State Senate Bill 1070 (Arizona SB1070) as a step in the wrong direction, and requesting that City Departments refrain from sending City employees to the State of Arizona and refrain from entering into new contracts with businesses headquartered in the State of Arizona.

WHEREAS, the Seattle City Council, the Mayor concurring, adopted Resolution 31193 on March 15, 2010, declaring that the City of Seattle recognizes that the immigration system is broken and supports comprehensive federal immigration reform that, among many other values, respects the due process protections of all individuals in the United States; and

WHEREAS, meaningful comprehensive immigration reform would improve enforcement, and provide a path so people have the opportunity to become citizens, and;

WHEREAS, such reform would not criminalize individuals who provide healthcare, education,

food or shelter for immigrants; and

WHEREAS, our nation is in need of immigration reform that restores due process for all, and

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle in 2004 adopted Resolution 30672, opposing federal legislation that encourages local enforcement of immigration laws; and

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle in 2003 adopted Ordinance no. 121063, in an effort to build trust between immigrant communities and the Seattle Police Department by requiring that, unless otherwise required by law, or by court order, no Seattle City officer or employee shall inquire into the immigration status of any person, or engage in activities designed to ascertain the immigration status of any person; and

WHEREAS, local governments should meet the health, safety and education needs of all citizens without suspicion that communicating with local officials will lead to arrest; and

WHEREAS, frustration with the slow pace of federal reform has driven some heavily affected communities to take action; and

WHEREAS, the Arizona State legislature passed Arizona SB1070, which Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law on April 23, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Arizona SB1070 requires police "when practicable" to detain people they "reasonably suspect" are in the country without authorization; allows the police to charge immigrants with a state crime for not carrying immigration documents; creates a private right of action to sue cities upon belief that the government has a policy or practice that restricts immigration law enforcement; and makes it a crime to stop on a public street to attempt to hire a temporary worker; and

WHEREAS, Arizona SB1070 will jeopardize public safety and drive a wedge between law enforcement and ethnic communities; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama has stated that Arizona SB1070 threatens "to undermine the basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe"; and

WHEREAS, civil rights leaders, constitutional rights scholars, government officials, and police chiefs across the county, have raised significant concerns with Arizona SB1070; and

WHEREAS, Arizona cities including Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson are considering taking legal action against Arizona SB1070; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

Section 1. Unless and until Arizona rescinds or significantly amends Arizona SB1070, City Departments should to the extent practicable, and in instances where there is no conflict with law or prior contractual agreements, (1) refrain from entering into any new or amended contracts to purchase goods or services from any company that is headquartered in Arizona, and (2) avoid sending City officials or employees to conferences or events in Arizona.

Section 2. The Seattle City Council requests the National League of Cities to support those Arizona cities opposing Arizona SB1070 in devising reasonable alternatives to Arizona SB1070, alternatives that recognize the need for federal-level reform that assists struggling border communities while respecting the humanity of all the people living and working in these communities.

Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2010, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day

of ______________________, 2010.

_________________________________

President ___________of the City Council

THE MAYOR CONCURRING:

_________________________________

Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2010.

____________________________________

City Clerk

(Seal)

Dan Nolte/DN

AZ Reso Legislative, Immigration Reform, Arizona Legislation, RES

May 5, 2010

Version #3