Bill Text: CA AJR46 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Federal zero tolerance immigration policy: family separation.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 66-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-09-06 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 204, Statutes of 2018. [AJR46 Detail]
Download: California-2017-AJR46-Chaptered.html
| Assembly Joint Resolution No. 46 |
| CHAPTER 204 |
Relative to federal zero tolerance immigration policy.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 06, 2018.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AJR 46, Gonzalez Fletcher.
Federal zero tolerance immigration policy: family separation.
This measure would urge President Trump, United States Attorney General Sessions, the United States Department of Justice, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and all other relevant federal departments to immediately cease the implementation of the “zero tolerance” federal immigration policy and to not propose any additional inhumane immigration policies in the future. The measure would further call for compassion and decency for all individuals, families, and children who arrive at our borders seeking a better life.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee: NOBill Text
WHEREAS, In the Declaration of Independence, one of the United States of America’s four major founding documents, a portion of the second paragraph reads as follows: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”; and
WHEREAS, The United States was founded by immigrants and for a long time has been viewed as a beacon of hope for immigrants searching for a better future for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, In accordance with Section 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code, an individual who is physically present or arrives in the United States, irrespective of their immigration status or whether they arrive at a designated port of arrival, may apply for asylum; and
WHEREAS, An individual may seek protection by applying for asylum in the United States because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to race, religion, nationality, or political opinion; and
WHEREAS, Between 2007 and 2016, an average of 23,669 individuals from numerous countries were granted asylum; and
WHEREAS, In early May of 2018, United States Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions announced a “zero tolerance” policy for illegal entry at the southwest border of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Following the implementation of Attorney General Sessions’ “zero tolerance” policy, despite their parents seeking asylum, nearly 2,000 children, as young as 8 months old, have been labeled as “unaccompanied minors,” resulting in separation from their parents and placement in government custody or foster care; and
WHEREAS, It is unethical to separate children from their parents due to the physical and emotional stress associated with such an ordeal; and
WHEREAS, On June 20, 2018, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive order to detain families together for an indefinite period of time; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges United States President Trump, United States Attorney General Sessions, the United States Department of Justice, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and all other relevant federal departments to immediately cease the implementation of the “zero tolerance” policy and to not propose any additional inhumane immigration policies in the future; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature calls for compassion and decency for all individuals, families, and children who arrive at our borders seeking a better life in our nation and our state; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
