IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION expressing Jackson County’s support and recognition of young people impacted by the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 19739, February 26, 2018
INTRODUCED BY Crystal Williams, Tony Miller, Alfred Jordan, Scott Burnett, and Dan Tarwater III, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit, has been rescinded; and,
WHEREAS, this group of young people, commonly known as Dreamers, voluntarily gave the federal government their personal information in good faith so that they could become productive members of our community and workforce; and,
WHEREAS, in registering for the DACA program, Dreamers met strict age, residency, and educational criteria and do not pose a threat to public safety; and,
WHEREAS, Dreamers now find themselves vulnerable to aggressive government raids, detention centers, and life-altering deportations; and,
WHEREAS, according to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 6,439 Missourians are currently eligible for DACA; and,
WHEREAS, 91.2 percent of these Dreamers in Missouri are employed, contributing $6.6 million in state and local taxes and $11.1 million in federal taxes; and,
WHEREAS, according to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, removing Dreamers would cost Missouri more than $209 million in gross domestic product every year; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County is a welcoming community that values its ethnic, racial, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity, which contribute to our area’s strength and prosperity; and,
WHEREAS, the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, stands committed to ensuring that all our residents can live and pursue their livelihoods in peace and prosperity; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby proclaims its commitment and support of young people known as Dreamers, and asks Congress to enact a permanent solution for undocumented youth, giving all persons an opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ______________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 19739 of February 26, 2018, was duly passed on March 5, 2018 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______7________ Nays _______0_______
Abstaining ____0_____ Absent ______2______
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature