RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, on September 5, 2017, the presidential administration, through its Attorney General Jeff Sessions, announced the end of a program that shields from deportation undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children; and
WHEREAS, the program, known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, affects approximately 800,000 young immigrants; and
WHEREAS, the DACA program allows immigrants who were brought to the United States before turning 16 and have lived here continuously since 2007, to apply for legal status and work permits that must be renewed every two years; and
WHEREAS, these often-termed "Dreamers," who were, on average, brought to the United States at age 6, must attend school, be employed, or serve in the military and cannot have a serious criminal conviction; and
WHEREAS, characterized as a classic embodiment of the American Dream, this segment of the immigrant community garners broad based support across the political, humanitarian, and business spectrum for protection under the laws of this nation and for legal inclusion into our communities; and
WHEREAS, Illinois boasts the third highest population of Dreamers in the country behind California and Texas; and
WHEREAS, DACA participants are more likely to attain higher education and therefore higher skilled jobs than nonparticipating undocumented immigrants—thereby bolstering the social and economic fabric ofthe communities that they know as home; and
WHEREAS, noting that "Dreamers are Americans in every way," and that they are an integral part of their community, New York State's Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an intent to sue to protect the interests of DACA participants; and
WHEREAS, the action announced on September 4, 2017 is said to be a multi-state lawsuit in which the Washington State Attorney General has also signaled participation; and
WHEREAS, seeking legal protection for the Dreamers among us is the only just and equitable course of action on behalf of those who have heeded the call to "do well," "give back," "work hard," and who now deserve no less from us; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO: that the Corporation Counsel is called on to immediately join or initiate an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to protect the interests of DACA participants with involvement including but not limited to filing the necessary complaints, injunctions, interpleaders, or amicus briefs as may be necessary to secure the City's presence as a strong and leading force in those actions.