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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