Title
Recognizing the importance of refugee and immigrant communities in the city of Columbus
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WHEREAS, it is an international human right to seek protection in another country; and
WHEREAS, on January 25 and 27, 2017, President Donald Trump signed three executive orders that, by undermining basic due process protections and imperiling millions of refugees and immigrants seeking safety and asylum, will tear apart families, including countless families with U.S. citizen family members; and
WHEREAS, the United States is a nation of immigrants where, since our founding, people have come to seek the freedoms of our nation and protections from persecution, and in doing so they have bolstered our economy and stitched the fabric of American life; and
WHEREAS, in Columbus, immigrants and refugees substantially add to our economy, annually contributing $258 million in state and local tax dollars and $2 billion in spending power; and
WHEREAS, the demonization of immigrants throws them into the shadows and creates a class of silent victims, but by enabling immigrants to live safely and outside the shadows, we increase the public good and the public safety; and
WHEREAS, an attempt to characterize refugees as threats to our safety undermines our long-term security, but by offering asylum we build a safer global community and strengthen the world’s understanding of democracy; and
WHEREAS, by keeping families together - no matter their race, creed, or origin - we live out the values of a democratic nation; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council reaffirms the importance of refugee and immigrant communities in the city of Columbus and recommits our city as open, welcoming, and encouraging of resettlement efforts.