HomeMy WebLinkAbout93-028~i.esolufion 2Vo. 93--
RESOLUTION URGING THE PRESIDENT AND
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO PROVIDE CALIFORNIA
WITH $1.45 BILLION FOR SERVICES PROVIDED TO IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEES AS RESULT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEES POLICY
WHEREAS, the United States was founded by immigrants
seeking a better life for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, America continues to offer a home to immigrants,
as well as a safe harbor for refugees fleeing oppression and
persecution; and
WHEREAS, some of the nation's immigrants and refugees
have special. needs which require government assistance in order to
facilitate a rapid assimilation; and
WHEREAS, the nation's immigration and refugee policy, set
by the federal government, acknowledges these needs by requiring
that the new residents have access to medical, public assistance
and other services that are provided to U.S. citizens by state and
local governments; and
WHEREAS, California, home to 54 percent. of the nation's
Immigration Reform and Control Action CIRCA) immigrants, nearly 40
percent of the nation's refugees and more than 50 percent of the
nation's undocumented immigrants, recognizes the importance of
health and welfare services to these new residents; and
WHEREAS, along with the mandate to provide services, the
federal government recognized the cost of such services, and
promised to provide financial support to the states.
Unfortunately, the federal government has failed to reimburse the
states for the full cost of services mandated by federal law; and
WHEREAS, the cornerstone of the federal-state
relationship must be fairness and honesty. California is looking
to Congress and the Clinton Administration to forge a new
relationship with the states; one that honestly recognizes the
financial strain imposed by federal mandates without fair
compensation; and
WHEREAS, the nation as a whole benefits from the social
and economic contributions of these new residents, the cost of
assimilating immigrants and refugees should be borne by all
Americans; and
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WHEREAS, Governor Wilson has asked the federal government
to pay California $1.45 billion for services mandated on state
government by federal immigration and refugee legislation;
WHEREAS, in a bipartisan effort, the Governor has joined
with members of the Legislature of the State of California and the
California delegation to the Congress of the United States to ask
the Clinton Administration and the leadership in Congress to
provide the $1.45 billion plus related local costs in the 1994
federal budget allocations;
WHEREAS, if the state does not receive the requested
federal funding, reductions rill have to be made to important state
programs causing undue hardship for millions of Californians;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Butte County
Board of Supervisors respectfully urges the President and the
Congress of the United States to provide California with $1.45
billion, plus related local costs, far services provided to
immigrants 'and refugees as a result of federal immigration and
refugee policy.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of March , 1993 by the
following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Meyer, Dolan, Mci~aughlin, 'Thomas and Ghaa.r Houx
NOES : None
NOT VOTING: None
ABSENT : None
MARY Houx, Chair, Butte County
Board o Supervisors
ATTEST:
JOHN S. BLACKLOCR, Chief Administrative Dfficer
and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
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