RESOLUTJON IN SUPPORT OF A MORATORIUM ON DEPORTATION OF PARENTS WITH CITIZEN
CHILDREN
WHEREAS, More than five million children under the age of 18 have one or more undocumented parents in the United States. Thousands of these youths reside within this city's borders; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that approximately 80% of these children are themselves United States citizens. The rest are either legal permanent residents or young people who were brought to this nation by a parent or guardian; and
WHEREAS, Many of these mixed-status families include one spouse who is a citizen or legal permanent resident. Thus, the deportation of an undocumented spouse threatens the very bonds of marriage and the covenant made between two people to raise children in love and commitment; and
WHEREAS, Their minor children will be a significant sector of the citizenry and workforce of this nation. However, merely through the accident of birth, they suffer a lack of equal access to education, health care and full participation in activities that prepare other young people for citizenship and work and, as such, is particularly detrimental to the commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, By all indications, undocumented parents of children who have citizenship or potential "Dream Act" status will not leave the United States voluntarily, thus perpetuating a life of chronic legal jeopardy. However, in spite of the difficulties, these mixed status families have a much higher percentage of stable two person head of families than the national average; and
WHEREAS, The specter of U.S. citizen children being de facto deported with their undocumented parents, being raised in another country and then returning to this country to reclaim their rights as citizens without having had adequate educational opportunities, will create a permanent underclass in this country; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon this body to recognize the fundamental right to be raised with the love and support of a unified family without the c...
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