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CITY OF PALM DESERT
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING
THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
DATE: June 8, 2017
CONTENTS: Draft Letter to Congressional Representatives
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, approve the attached correspondence concerning the United States
Immigration System.
Commission Recommendation
The Palm Desert Legislative Review Committee met on May 26, 2017, and recommended that
the City Council approved the attached correspondence on the United States Immigration
System.
Strategic Plan
This item is not directly related to any category within the Palm Desert Strategic Plan.
Background
The Palm Desert Legislative Review Committee met on May 26, 2017, and reviewed numerous
bills for consideration of City support or opposition. At the request of Councilmember Kathleen
Kelly, the Committee also discussed the current United States Immigration System.
The Committee recognizes that immigration is a very complex and controversial issue facing our
society today. There are no easy solutions, especially in light of the increasingly polarized
national and international climate.
The Committee recommends sending a non -partisan letter to the City's Congressional
Representatives outlining the important role that tourism and agriculture have in ensuring Palm
Desert's and the State's economic vitality, which are supported largely by an immigrant
workforce. The Committee further recognized that the implementation of an effective guest
worker program, as well as a clearly defined path to citizenship, is a non -partisan and viable
solution that can bridge the gap on this polarizing issue. The Committee respectfully recommends
the City Council approve the attached correspondence on this matter.
Staff Report: United States Immigration System Correspondence
June 8, 2017
Page 2 of 2
Fiscal Analysis
There is currently no quantifiable fiscal impact associated with opposition to this bill.
Submitted By:
Stephen ste. Arya, Risk M na
Reviewed By:
2
f
Lori Carney, Director of Administrative Services
Approval:
La rf(Aylaian, City Manager
DRAFT
June 8, 2017
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Feinstein:
On behalf of the City of Palm Desert, I am writing to ask for your help with a problem that
threatens our local community and the United States as a whole — our nation's broken
immigration system.
It is increasingly clear that immigration is one of the most complex and controversial issues
facing our society. There are no easy solutions, especially as the national and international
political climate grows increasingly partisan and polarized.
The daunting nature of this challenge does not absolve our leaders of the responsibility to act.
Rather, it should heighten your commitment and sense of urgency to work together and find a
solution.
Like many communities in California, Palm Desert's economy is heavily dependent on tourism
and agriculture — our region's two largest industries and the sources of thousands of local jobs.
Much attention in the immigration debate has, justifiably, been focused on the people who work
in these jobs and the families they support.
The broader truth is that these immigrants and their families are not the only people whose
future is threatened by the status quo. The communities where those families live, work, go to
school, play, and shop — communities like Palm Desert — are also at significant economic risk.
California's fiscal health and, by extension, the success of our national economy, hang in the
balance waiting for you and your colleagues in Washington, D.C. to show us the way forward.
This problem will continue to threaten our economic future and the social fabric of our
community until the United States Congress approves and the President signs a safe, practical,
and effective guest worker program as well as a clearly defined path to citizenship for our
neighbors and co-workers who have left their homelands behind to come to the U.S. to build
their lives and dreams here with us.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of California and our nation and for your time and attention
to this letter.
Sincerely,
Jan C. Harnik
Mayor
cc: City Council
Klassen, Rachelle
From: Terry Collier <ticollier1026@aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2017 12:34 AM
To: Klassen, Rachelle
Subject: Continuation of the argument against becoming a sanctuary city. Please forward to all
city counsil members and the city manager
A few years ago I came to a city counsil meeting to express my disappointment witht the city of Mauretta and the use of
the american flag to pound on the windows of the busses bringing undocumented children accompanied by guardians into
their city. I thought we could be better than that as people and should show a more friendly spirit for welcoming new
arrivals,
Here are my findings since that time.
In review of all the news film footage showing the guardians or a distant family relative escortting these kids across the
border I made observations that show some of the adults taking these children somewhat forcefully by the hand or arm
and leading them. On one bit of the film a woman was speaking spanish to a child and the behavior of the minor was one
of sadness or lack of intrest in what was going on. I had an individual that can speak spanish fluently view the lip
movement of the adult and it appears she was telling the child to remain quiet and dont say anthing. Her (the adult) did
not seem friendly or caring of the child, but rather controlling. The child did not show signs of happiness or the pattern of
normallacy at a new addventure in life or even the possibilty of reuniting with parents that theorictically are here ahead of
their kids.
What I am about to share with you now is the jest of my concern. I have friends in law enforcement (I cannot say who or
where) but it is suspected that here in the Cocachella Valley that some of these kids have ended up here as a part of
human trafficing victims and it was never intended to bring them here to reunite with family members. I will not make
mention what has been witnessed at one of the local hotels but it has made me change my position on our acceptance of
this kind of immigraton practice. Unknown to all of us at the time of this child exodus into our country was the element of
human trafficing right under our noise and in plain view.
I am convinced we are having the good spirit of americanism taken advantage of and our hearts of kindness exploited.
Advocation of any idea to promote undocumented entry with safe haven in any city in this state will prove itself to be
aiding and abbetting crime that will lead to strongly diminished standards of social behavior and decency that so many of
us have given of ourselves to protect. Please uphold the laws of the United States of America and reject sanctuaryism.
Our govennor is not well intended to advocate this state become a haven for undocumented people. Its a cheap excuse to
force labor wages to rival that of slavery and help to keep wealthy people wealthy. Once they get a load of what eventually
will become of their cities will become they will regret the choice and at that time little can be done to reverse the trend.
I fear three things taking place simultaniously: 1 Radical islamic people 2 Undocumented people with criminal intent 3
The visa overstays of Chinese people with large sums of money that is being used to create crime syndicates.
There is nothing wrong with being a helpful society but lets do it by our already on the book laws. In conclusion I will say
our lord Jesus loves a faithful servant and those willing to stand up for justice, but we should not live in the kind of faith
that we beleive we all can jump off the building and Jesus will catch all of us before hitting the ground. He does not like
that kind of foolish behavior and those that would have you live in blind faith are only doing an injustice to our way of life.
One last thing to deal with will be the revival of the american vigilante.
Thank You. More as discoveries are made.
Terry Collier
ticollier1026Ca�aol.com
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