* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Ramos
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for Federal Action - Re-designating Temporary Protective Status for El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Nepal, and Cameroon, and Instating the Designation for Guatemala
For the purpose of requesting the Biden administration and U.S. Department of Homeland Security re-designate El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Nepal, and Cameroon for Temporary Protective Status (TPS), instate designation of TPS to Guatemala, and support initiatives that will keep immigrant families together so that our community members can live with dignity.
body
Whereas, TPS is a form of immigration status that provides employment authorization and protection from deportation to foreign nationals who cannot safely returned to their home countries;
Whereas, The City of Baltimore is committed to supporting, celebrating, and empowering immigrants and refugees, many of whom are escaping war and natural disasters, regardless of their immigration status;
Whereas, The City of Baltimore recognizes the enormous strides the Biden Administration has made on immigration, including the reversion of many inhumane measures enacted by the previous administration and the expansion of legal pathways to provide safe options for those who are in desperate need of safety and opportunity;
Whereas, Threats to immigrant families continue to grow as extremist politicians propose policies that could ultimately upend their lives and impact the stability of our local communities and economy;
Whereas, In light of ongoing political instability and extreme effects of climate change in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Nepal, and Honduras, and Guatemala, TPS re-designations and initial designations are warranted for the thousands of foreign nationals already in the country, the State of Maryland, and the City of Baltimore.
Whereas, Maryland also houses the highest percentage of Cameroonian immigrants and one of the highest concentrations of Central American and Nepali immigrant communities in the country;
Whereas, The City of Baltimore recognizes the overwhelmingly positive contribution that current TPS holders and Cameroonian, Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Nepali immigrants have on the economy, diversity, and well-being of our community;
Whereas, The City of Baltimore urges federal action to provide these individuals and families with access to legal protections that will allow them to remain with their family members, including their U.S. citizen children and loved ones;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, that the City of Baltimore supports TPS and calls on the Biden Administration and Department of Homeland Security to re-designate El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Nepal, and Cameroon for TPS, instate designation of TPS to Guatemala.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to President Biden, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.