HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2019-119 Approving Refuge Resettlement4,1
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2019-1 19 sce-N
A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT F fit ROVING REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
WHEREAS, on September 26, 2019, President Trump issued Executive Order ("EO") 13888 requiring
state and local governments to provide written consent to the federal government before refugees can be
resettled in their jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, on November 6, 2019, the U.S. Department of State and HHS issued guidance requiring
local resettlement affiliates to submit written consent from governors and the "chief executive officer of the local
government (county or equivalent)" with their application to resettle refugees. In Minnesota, the Governor has
provided written consent to the resettlement of refugees in our state. Hennepin County has not yet acted upon
DO 13888; and
WHEREAS, refugees are people who have been forced to flee their home countries due to violence or
persecution based on religion, race, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
They are unable to return because their home governments are unable or unwilling to protect them; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of State administers the Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP),
established in 1980, which is a humanitarian protection program designed to resettle refugees of "special
humanitarian concern" in the United States. More than 70% of these refugees are women and children. The
federal government annually determines how many refugees will be admitted and identifies priority populations;
and
WHEREAS, Minnesota has a long history of supporting refugees and values their contributions to our
state's history, culture, and economy; and
WHEREAS, before resettling, refugees undergo the most extensive screening/vetting process of any
classification of entrant to the U.S. Eight federal agencies are involved in the vetting process and approximately
20 different assessments are conducted prior to the refugee's arrival. In Minnesota, five different resettlement
agencies work closely with state and local officials on the resettlement of refugees; and
WHEREAS, after experiencing extreme hardship such as displacement, war, genocide, severe poverty,
or loss of family members, Minnesota's refugees rebuild their lives from the ground up. Refugee resettlement
yields long-term social and economic benefits. Refugees annually pay more than $227 million in state and local
taxes and contribute to Social Security. Once resettled, they fill needed jobs throughout the state, often open
their own businesses, and foster intercultural connections in their communities. Refugees have a combined
spending power of $1.8 billion in Minnesota alone and accounted for 7.5% of Minnesota's Gross Domestic
Product in 2012.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDINA, MINNESOTA, that with regards to Executive Order 13888 "On Enhancing State and Local
Involvement in Resettlement," the City Council of the City of Edina urges the Hennepin County Board of
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street • Edina, Minnesota 55424
www.EdinaMN.gov • 952-927-8861 • Fax 952-826-0389
Attest:
ADOPTED this 17 f December, 2019
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
STATE OF MINNESOTA)
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) SS
CITY OF EDINA
ames B. Hovland, Mayor
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDINA, MINNESOTA, that with regards to Executive Order 13888 "On Enhancing State and Local
Involvement in Resettlement," the City Council of the City of Edina urges the Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners, as the applicable local government body, to consent to the initia resettlement of refugees in
Hennepin County and that a copy of this resolution will be transmitted to the U.S Department of State, Bureau
of Population, Refugees, and Migration and the legislative and executive branch- the federal government.
CERTIFICATE OF CITY CLERK
I, the undersigned duly appointed and acting City Clerk for the City of Edina do hereby certify that the attached and
foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Edina City Council at its Regular Meeting of December 17, 2019, and
as recorded in the Minutes of said Regular Meeting.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said City this day of , 2019
City Clerk