2003 Adopted Resolutions
71st Annual Meeting
Denver

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A RESOLUTION URGING PRESIDENT BUSH TO RESCIND THE IMMIGRATION POLICIES AGAINST HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS AND CALLING FOR THE EQUAL TREATMENT OF ALL IMMIGRANTS

WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County, Florida is home to a vibrant and involved immigrant community; and

WHEREAS, the people who reside in Miami-Dade County are concerned about their own welfare and the welfare and safety of immigrants in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the county and the cities are governed by legislative bodies which include immigrants; and

WHEREAS, a newly-enacted Department of Justice policy provides for disparate treatment of Haitian immigrants; and

WHEREAS, various Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) policies grant credible fear interviews and parole individuals into the community once they touch land, while Haitian migrants are incarcerated indefinitely and hence denied due process; and

WHEREAS, this newly-created Department of Justice policy appears to be unfair, discriminatory and inhumane; and

WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors calls upon President Bush and his Administration to issue the necessary directives providing for equal treatment and due process for all immigrants, including Haitian nationals,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the United States Conference of Mayors calls upon President Bush to issue the necessary directives providing for due process for all immigrants and directing the Justice Department to eliminate the word "indefinitely" from the Haitian asylum policy.