Title
To support Edith Espinal, Miriam Vargas, and their families as welcomed residents of the City of Columbus
Body
WHEREAS, both Edith Espinal and Miriam Vargas have been residents of Columbus for more than a decade and are raising families in this community; and
WHEREAS, the United States is a nation of immigrants where, since its founding, people like Edith and Miriam have come to seek protection from persecution and enjoy the freedoms of our nation, and in doing so they have bolstered our economy and stitched the fabric of American life; and
WHEREAS, aggressive deportation tactics like those used to target Edith, Miriam, and other parents impose tremendous financial strains on families, can result in the placement of children in the foster care system, and unnecessarily burden state and local resources while removing productive residents and caregivers from the community; and
WHEREAS, Edith and Miriam have been granted sanctuary by Columbus Mennonite Church and First English Lutheran Church, respectively, as they pursue legal remedies to remain with their families; and
WHEREAS, to keep parents with their children and prevent the deleterious impacts aggressive deportation tactics have on Columbus, City Council created the Columbus Families Together Fund to provide legal services and resources to families in need; 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 does hereby recognize Edith Espinal and Miriam Vargas as long-time residents of the City of Columbus, support their respective efforts to remain with and provide for their families, and encourage the United States Department of Homeland Security to grant favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion with regard to their cases.