Explanation
BACKGROUND: In response to executive order 13888 “Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement,” issued September 26, 2019 and which instructs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to, for the first time, seek written consent from state and local governments before they can accept refugees in their jurisdictions, it is critical that the City of Columbus reaffirm its commitment to welcoming refugees.
This Resolution affirms that the City of Columbus is a Welcoming City and urges other local governments to join in support of a regional commitment to resettle the most vulnerable refugees.
Title
To reaffirm that the City of Columbus is a Welcoming City and to reaffirm support for resettling refugees.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus represents and welcomes all residents regardless of national origin, and is committed to making Columbus a city that provides opportunity for all; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is home to an increasingly diverse population, including refugees and immigrants from across the world, who add to the economic strength and cultural richness of the community; and
WHEREAS, in 2018 more than 70.8 million people worldwide were forced from their homes, more than any time in recorded history, including over 25.9 million refugees, and more than half of the world’s refugees are children; and
WHEREAS, by definition, refugees are people who have fled violence in their home countries, including fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, social status, or political affiliation; and
WHEREAS, resettlement to the U.S. is only available for those who demonstrate the greatest and most immediate need for protection, including torture survivors, the physically disabled, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and women and lone children at risk - all of whom can neither return home nor stay in their host country due to their extreme vulnerability, and takes place only after eligible refug...
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