HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-041 Temporary Protected Status for EcuadorRESOLUTION NO.2024-41
A Resolution Calling on the U.S Department of Homeland Security to Designate Ecuador for
Temporary Protected Status.
BE IT RESOLVED BY the City Council (the "Council") of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota (the
"City") as follows:
WHEREAS, the Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a country for Temporary Protected
Status (TPS) due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from
returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its
nationals adequately; and
WHEREAS, the Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to ongoing armed conflicts (such as civil
war), environmental disasters (such as earthquakes or hurricanes) or epidemics, and other
extraordinary and temporary conditions; and
WHEREAS, during a designated period, individuals who are TPS beneficiaries or who are found
preliminarily eligible for TPS upon review of their cases, are not removable from the United States, can
obtain an employment authorization document, and may be granted travel authorization; and
WHEREAS, Ecuadorians have endured recent displacement due to natural disasters, economic
downturn, severe political unrest, and civil armed conflict; and
WHEREAS, Ecuador experienced a surge in violence following the assassination of presidential
candidate Fernando Villavicencio in August 2023; and
WHEREAS, nations currently with TPS status include: Afghanistan, Burma, Cameroon, El Salvador,
Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela,
and Yemen; and WHEREAS, Minnesota has the 10th highest Ecuadorian population in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, the number of asylum cases in Minnesota's immigration court originating from Ecuador
surged by 900% in the last five years; and
WHEREAS, the Ecuadorian community has contributed positively to the development of this city; and
WHEREAS, Ecuador continues to struggle with conditions that are not adequate for their nationals to
return; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council calls upon the Secretary of the Department
of Homeland Security to designate Ecuador for Temporary Protected Status to provide temporary
immigration relief to eligible Ecuadorian nationals.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council calls upon our U.S congressional delegation;
Representative Omar, Senator Smith and Senator Klobuchar to support the Temporary Protected
Status (TPS) for Ecuador Act of 2024.
ORDER OF COUNCIL
Passed this 13h day of May 2024
Offered by: James
Seconded by: Jacobs
Roll Call: All Ayes, Spriggs Absent
da Marquez -Sim a, ayor
Attest:
ara Ion, City Clerk