RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is a home rule unit of government pursuant to the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 6(a); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to its home rule power, the City of Chicago may exercise any power and perform any function relating to its government and affairs including the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare; and
WHEREAS, The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien-Minors Act, ("DREAM Act") was first introduced in 2001 by United States Senators Richard Durbin of Illinois and Orrin Hatch of Utah in the Senate, and by Representatives Howard Berman of California and Chris Cannon of Utah in the House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, the DREAM Act was originally introduced to provide relief to youth who reside in the country illegally through no fault of their own and are caught in a system where there is little, if any, means for legalizing their status. These smart, hard-working youth face an uncertain future because of their inability to continue their education, work, or join the military; and
WHEREAS, different versions of the bill have been reintroduced since 2001 without success; and
WHEREAS, United States Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, United States Senator John McCain of Arizona, and United States Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina most recently reintroduced the DREAM Act with bipartisanship on July 20, 2017, with some urgency because a group of 20 state attorneys general are seeking to stop the renewal or granting of temporary deportation deferrals and work permits to young immigrants through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; and
WHEREAS, the DREAM Act is designed to give immigrant youth an opportunity to share the American dream because they exemplify the best of the immigrant spirit and deserve an opportunity to use their skills and abilities to be successful in the country that raised them; and
WHEREAS, the DREAM Act calls for a conditional permanent residency (CPR) period to properly vet applicants for a period of eight (8) years to ensure they are of good moral character, free of convictions, and productive members of society; and
WHEREAS, DACA recipients support this bill because it provides a definite path to citizenship instead of keeping them in a state of limbo as federal administrations change; and
WHEREAS, the Migration Policy Institute publicly stated that, "the DREAM Act would create unprecedented opportunity for many young people to step onto a path... that would require them to demonstrate either significant investment in their human capital or service to the United States through membership in the armed forces;" and
WHEREAS, reports from the American Immigration Council show a growing network of support for the DREAM Act, organizations like the National Education Association, American Association of Community Colleges, Coalition of .Urban and Metropolitan Universities, National Parent Teacher Association, National Association for College Admissions Counseling, and the American Federation of Teachers have publicly supported this bill; and
WHEREAS, in September of 2009, United We Dream hosted over 100 coordinated events in 26 states to bring greater awareness of the plight of undocumented students and the need for the DREAM Act; and
WHEREAS, Chicago is home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, and with it, enjoy the diversity and innovation they contribute to our City; and
WHEREAS, this City Council has remained steadfast in its support of Chicago's immigrant community in general, and its youth in particular; now, therefore.
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council do hereby urge the Chicago delegation of the United States House of Representatives, as well as the United States Senators from Illinois, Senator Richard J. Durbin and Senator Tammy Duckworth, to facilitate the swift passage of Senate Bill 1615; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Chicago delegation of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senators from Illinois, Senator Richard J. Durbin and Senator Tammy Duckworth.
Edw4Sff M. Burke Alderman, 14th Ward
Chicago City Council Co-Sponsor Addition/Change
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• Chairman of Committee to which legislation was referred
> City Clerk
Chicago City Council Co-Sponsor Addition/Change
Document No.:
Subject:
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Principal Sponsor
Final copies to be filed with:
Chairman of Committee to which legislation was referred
City Clerk