Speaker 1: Communication from Councilwoman Gonzalez. Vice Mayor Lowenthal. Councilmember Urunga. Councilmember Richardson. Recommendation to request the city attorney to draft a resolution in support of comprehensive immigration reform.
Speaker 0: Councilman Gonzales.
Speaker 1: Yes. I want to first thank everyone for their patience, Rousey said. Although Supersu Paciencia. I'd first like to hear from the. I know everybody has been waiting a long time, so I'd like to first hear from the public.
Speaker 0: Public comment, please. But so you don't wanna make a motion or anything you want and then hears from the public. Did you make them? Okay, so we have a motion on the floor in a second. We'll take public comment on the item. Please line up. You want to do public comment?
Speaker 4: I'm Robert. I'm Robert Lawton. I think you're. You're. You're you're. Today's resolution on immigration reform should be tabled a, b, b before you is a letter from the organization called Flush the TPP dot org. The title of the of the of the letter is stop. The Trans-Pacific Partnership is I'm sorry, stopping the Trans-Pacific Partnership is immigration rights. This week or next week, Congress will be voting on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Congress will not be voting on comprehensive immigration reform until 2006. Today's resolution should be titled It Should Be Tabled A simple and example of us. A simple resolution from the US, from the City of Long Beach would be the city of Long Beach. City Council is urging Congress to vote no on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. And then you could say more information from Citizen Dawg. In their letter, they point out that the event in 2005, there was a study for the Mexican government by the World Bank that showed rural, rural, rural poverty had risen from 35% between 1992 and 1994. 1994 was when they passed Neurath American Free Trade Agreement, and by 1994, by 1996, it had rid the urban rural poverty had been risen had risen to 55%. By 2010, 53 million Mexicans were living in poverty, or half the population at 20%, mostly in rural areas, lived in extreme poverty. Now, after the free trade agreement of NAFTA destroyed jobs on both sides of the border, and then the Trans-Pacific Partnership is now the on steroids. And in the end, it is it it's going to create more poverty in in Mexico and and more of a border surge. And then then, then and then according to this, they have some statistics on the people who die in the desert, a very painful death trying to sneak into the country. And so so so is so when you consider that they're so so that there should be a statement about stopping the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Thank you.
Speaker 3: All right, good. You. Clarke has the address. Let me before expressing my view on immigration specifically, let me say I was at the Council, the Board of Supervisors meeting last month, which was referenced by earlier speakers today. And I was there when they personally witnessed three of the fifth columnists. Give the middle finger not only to ices, to not only to ice, but rather to the families whose family members had recently been slaughtered. By the recently released. Illegals in this country. The only action this council should take is one that would support the type of conduct. The George W Bush unfortunately did not had the guts to do the manifest. So enamored was he by his nanny. And to do what Eisenhower did back in the fifties, which is the use of the United States federal troops. To round up every single person in this country that is here illegally. Marched them back to the country from which they came. And in addition. Take them to the American consulate or embassy. Take them to the end of the line. Are those people that have been standing in line. Figuratively and literally. And have those people explain to them why they should be able to cut. Into the line and not wait their turn. The only people that could support that are the cells of fifth columnists that are in fact as dangerous to this republic. As is ICE's. Period. Who want to change the basic foundation of this country. And that's exactly what the people. The 3/5 columnists. And the Board of Supervisors did. And any person that supports anything other than marching them back. And having them get in line. It's just like somebody coming here and trying to cut in the head out of the line and saying, No, I want to speak. Follow the law. The law should apply to everybody. The only thing you should applaud again is using federal troops. Round up all the illegals. Send them back to the country from which they came. Have them get in line like everybody else.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Next speaker. Yes. I wonder, Bashar, again, I think passing this resolution is a grave mistake for one, as I mentioned earlier tonight. Your job is to protect US citizens allowing illegals to come in here and steal our jobs, dilute our quality of life. It's not protecting us. It is damaging us. Which you should be focused on the homeless, the unemployed, the veterans who are suffering, not people who come into this country as thieves and steal what's not theirs. I'm a veteran. My dad was better in two wars. I have a I have I have two sons. I've got a vested interest in my country. For you to come out and say that you're going to pass this resolution. When if you look back at the Immigration Act of 1986. We had all kinds of of guarantees. And what did it do? Nothing. It failed. In 1965, there was an immigration act. Where we were, where we were going to not destroy this culture in this nation. What did it do? It failed. And now you. City council members of Long Beach. You want to take it upon yourself to do something in this little town which the federal government has failed time after time to to to solve. And you want to make it even worse. You want to take it upon yourself. To take back door. Some kind of right to somebody that's not not here legally and should not be here legally. They should not be here at all. It should be like the gentleman said before, said home, we are a nation of laws. You cannot allow illegal people to come in and destroy. Like Ann Colter said last week or this week on Bill Maher's program. Does The Invisible Man, Invisible Man, you believe in Jesus Christ does. What does he think about her book, Adios, America? She said, Yeah, no, look, Jesus agrees with this totally. If I see a homeless man on the street, I have to take him home and put him in my bed. This is my home. This is our home. This is where children live. When we grow up, we expect to have a life. A freedom. And we went through a whole Cold War dealing with freedom and trying to make people free. And that's the important. That's what made the United States the greatest nation in the history of mankind. Frankly, sir, we don't want to destroy that. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Excuse me.
Speaker 0: Excuse me. Before you get started here.
Speaker 3: Is anyone else getting in.
Speaker 4: Line up there? Because I'd like to get a consensus. Are we? Okay. Thank you. Go ahead.
Speaker 1: Okay. My name is Javelina Ramirez. I'm live at the district number six. I want to talk a little bit about me. I have been in this country for 26 years. I have three kids, 24, 20 and 18 years old. My kids, the older one, is a medical assistant. The second one is in his third grade at the Long Beach. The other one was a SEP that I, UC Santa Barbara has been volunteer for the last 20 years in Long Beach. I has been volunteer with the children's clinic. When I was Barney Lowenthal at the Fourth District, I was helping there and I was helping the part of the Drake Park. I was involved with some other organizations. Many of you know me for a long time, and that has been in this country. Like I said before, more than 24, 24 years. And I'm an American undocumented in this country. But I can tell you, I has been doing more things in this country. That many others that they call themselves citizens. I has been working in my communities really hard. I has been volunteer. I don't get it any money for that. My job is being a caregiver. I has been taking care of elderly people. I have to shower them. I have to change Pampers. I have to fit in them. I have to do all the those kind of chaps. I am by you. Those people who don't like me or who don't like us Latinos here and United States on the comment that I buy them to change number to another people. I would like to see them doing that kind of job. But I feel really proud to be here to had my three kids, citizen, three of them, and they are ready to vote. My daughter is 18 already. She I know the other two has been worried. My my daughter's is ready to vote in that I don't go to anywhere. I'm open to helping my community. I want to continue being here. Say. I don't know if you guys are going to like or not, but it is what I want to do, and that's why I am here. At this moment, I have to run to get my job because I make my job and I turi pm and thank you so much for listen to me.
Speaker 6: Thank you.
Speaker 7: Good evening, Honorable Council members and staff. My name is Laurel Almonte and I'm the district director for Congresswoman Janice Hahn. Congresswoman commends a Long Beach City Council as you consider adopting a resolution in support of President Barack Obama's executive action and comprehensive immigration reform. Congresswoman Hahn strongly urges the city council to adopt Councilwoman Lynn Gonzalez's resolution that is before you tonight. Our country was founded by immigrants, and throughout our nation's history, immigrants have made significant contributions in every sense. We in California have the country's largest immigrant population. We embrace the differences of our residents and with it the wonderful variety of the many cultures that make Long Beach, the second most diverse city in the United States, for way too long. Our current immigration system hasn't been working to the benefit of our country. There are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, and as you noted, 900,000 make Los Angeles County their home the most in all of California. There have been more than 2 million deportations since 2008 separating families, leaving children behind without one or both parents. And this is just not right. Our immigration policies should reflect our family values and keep families intact. And that is what the president's executive action daka and DAPA do. Congresswoman is pleased that the city of Long Beach previously adopted a resolution in 2010 in support of the Federal Dream Act. The City of Long Beach continues to demonstrate the civil rights and human rights are democratic principles in the congresswoman urges this body, the Long Beach City Council, to vote in support of council woman's resolution. Thank you very much.
Speaker 6: Thank you. Okay.
Speaker 1: When I started this. Good afternoon. Honorable, honorable mayor and city council members. Mia. Mr. Bell, my name is goodbye. I live in the sixth district, so partly I'm part of many community groups, equally Zionist and coalition such as? I go along with Jimmy Barnett's coalition. I have lived for ten years here in Long Beach. I'm with you that I love this multi-colored and multicultural city. LDA There you stood up today on advocating and searching for Una for your Local four part local support in the city of Long Beach. Mantilla My area. So the majority of us know that executive actions that extended indirect, such as extended DOCA and upper extent imposed are being held at our ports. Is the situation in this situation is harming and creating an environment filled with frustration and a sense of false credibility for millions of people. Nor soon segreto can we be living in a non and the non anonymous do you know sexism against people with power and personal skills and support there who seek to rob and exploit us. Also, Antarctica signals the racism by using racist tactics. But our continuous support in order to continue to separate families in the negation of basic services is one party in mistrust, which are part of creating a sense of security in this country. Nosotros Then in Moscow, S.A. you have this that we must sit down and discuss this topic apparently in the very other sitting not at all that involves basic human services, independent responsibility that can not be denied by anyone. It is our responsibility that new generations, new voting generations, no san contaminados por la, but are not compelled by those people think without compassion and those filled with ignorance, the names of the heroes whose bodies we must protect the parents, amigos, vecinos, my siblings , friends and neighbors. But we must inform them that our work, they involve civic communities that involves community and city matters. But is our responsibility for the benefit of our country? Look, we are seeking we are seeking and asking some guarantees. The apology about will not be the guarantee for equality and peace. E-Passport on Mistral for our children. It still seems that I love where they come. This will grant us the confidence and strength necessary. But in order to systematically advocate in a manner that benefits everyone, yes, continue. And continuing to strengthen our economy, economy, social, our economy and social health. But I conclude to conclude clearly manana. If tomorrow El Dorado were to become law, I would not qualify Yuka. So I am a mother of two immigrant daughters. Maya More yet my love for this city immigrant and my sense of civic duty may ask me to stand here today supporting the new generation of voters such as my grandchildren, my vecinos, my neighbors. Give me some eagles and my friends. Thank you very much for your time. Good evening.
Speaker 5: Vice Mayor and council members. My name is Marisol Barajas. I'm District Director for assembly member Patrick O'Donnell, and I'm accompanied here by my colleague.
Speaker 2: Alyson Gallagher as well. We're here to speak on his behalf to thank you all for having our office here today.
Speaker 5: And on behalf of the ASM Assembly member, I'd.
Speaker 2: Also like to express our appreciation to Councilmember Gonzalez for introducing this important resolution. As a.
Speaker 1: Classroom teacher with over 20.
Speaker 2: Years of experience, the Assembly member has witnessed.
Speaker 5: Firsthand the shortcomings of our country's.
Speaker 2: Immigration system, and the toy can take on undocumented students who want nothing more than to pursue a better life through education.
Speaker 5: He understands ensuring California's.
Speaker 2: Dreamers are empowered with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their career goals ultimately benefits us all, and that these education opportunities have far reaching positive impacts on every facet of our society, from public.
Speaker 1: Safety.
Speaker 2: To economic growth. So once again, thank you, Councilmember Gonzalez, for your tremendous advocacy and for giving us this chance to voice our collaborative support for this comprehensive immigration.
Speaker 5: Reform, but most importantly, for the families and advocates that are here tonight.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Good evening, council members. Thank you, council member Gonzalez, for introducing this immigration reform resolution. My name is Sulley Sara, and I'm here on behalf of Senator Ricardo Lara to support the resolution, which will benefit not only Latinos, but also Cambodians, Filipinos and Pacific Islander immigrants throughout Long Beach. It's no secret that California is leading the way.
Speaker 5: On.
Speaker 1: Immigration reform, and Senator Lata is proud to see that the largest city in his district, Long Beach, is eager to lead in this.
Speaker 5: Regard as well.
Speaker 6: 1/2, please. Hold on 1/2. I'm going to be very clear and I'll say this once. We will be respectful of all speakers. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. We know that undocumented immigrants comprise nearly 10% of the state's workforce, contributing to a $130 billion annually to our state's gross domestic product. That's billion, not millions, and generating 2.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2010 alone. As most of you are well aware, Senator Lara is a champion for the immigrant community. He is the proud author of SB four The Health for All Act, which ensures that California expand access to health care for our most vulnerable communities. He is also the author of SB ten. The Office of New Americans, which will serve as a central resource agency within the Governor's Office for Undocumented Communities throughout the state. In closing, Senator Lara congratulates the City of Long Beach on your effort in the fight towards inclusion and equality for every Californians. And he wholeheartedly supports this resolution. Thank you.
Speaker 6: Next speaker, please.
Speaker 1: Good evening. My name is Brant, whereas I am a field representative and deputy press secretary for Congressman Alan Lowenthal. And unfortunately, he he couldn't be here today, but he asked me to read a statement on his behalf. I am here to support and thank Council member Linda Gonzalez for taking the lead and introduce her resolution supporting the president's executive actions on immigration. As many of you might know, I have worked very closely with the Long Beach Immigrants Rights Coalition, Echo and other local organizations advocating for immigration reform. As a matter of fact, one of my first events in the district during my freshman term was an immigration reform roundtable where I discussed with advocacy groups the importance of Congress taking action on the broken immigration system. I recently held a DAPA informational event in partnership with Long Beach Immigrants Rights Coalition, the Filipino Migrant Center and the Office of Council Member Robert Turanga. During my time in Congress, I have strongly supported comprehensive immigration reform that would provide a pathway to citizenship while securing our borders and fixing our broken immigration system. While the Senate passed a bipartisan bill by wide margins in 2013, the House leadership failed to even call a vote, though this bill would pass with support from both parties. While Congress has refused to act, millions of families across our country, California and my district, have live under the threat of deportation. I have repeatedly urged the president to use his authority and protect families until Congress passes immigration reform. In doing so, the president use his power consistent with his authority and in line with many of his predecessors, both Republican and Democrat. I was pleased that the president was indeed taking executive action to shield as many as 5 million people from deportation. Mothers and fathers and dreamers among them. I applauded the president, acting so that thousands of families in my district will not have to live with the fear of being separated. Unfortunately, on February 16, 2015, a federal judge in Texas issued an opinion opinion ordering a temporary halt to two of the Department of Homeland Security's immigration directives, DAPA and Dacca. The decision was appealed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The appeal was later denied by the Federal Court of Appeals, dealing a blow to millions of immigrant families across the country that would have benefited from both directives. The White House White House has not yet announced what its next moves on the lawsuit will be. It is ultimately Congress responsibility to enact comprehensive reform, and rest assured that I will continue to urge my colleagues to take up bipartisan legislation to that effect. This is about parents, about families, and about children. Thank you.
Speaker 6: Next speaker, please.
Speaker 8: When I started this afternoon.
Speaker 1: My joker armed robbery. Garcia will represent them. Then Garcia and their representative.
Speaker 8: Claudia Rivera.
Speaker 1: My name is Claudia Rivera. Just so you know, the day I go, I am a leader of. I think I have lived for 15 years in this country.
Speaker 8: It doesn't matter.
Speaker 1: These are my three children.
Speaker 8: But I mean, sitting with you.
Speaker 1: It would be very painful to me. For me separated from them. I go to the deportation.
Speaker 8: Is mowing the lawn as a pandemic induced ban.
Speaker 1: It is very painful for me. For them to see.
Speaker 8: You get your company.
Speaker 1: Especially my daughter, who now understands. In an anti-immigrant stance, what anti immigration groups are saying?
Speaker 8: Better geography that gives this one by the opportunity that is.
Speaker 1: But I firmly believe that this is the country. Either end of Dreamers.
Speaker 8: He told us. When was I keep saying, you.
Speaker 1: Know, we all come here because of a dream. In me is.
Speaker 8: The symbolism in my whole professional Mindi.
Speaker 1: My dream is to develop myself professionally.
Speaker 8: Yes. That that music autonomy.
Speaker 1: So that by this I can provide a better quality of life for my children.
Speaker 8: In that case, your senators were not you that I know sinister.
Speaker 1: Also prepare them in order for them to be better citizens for this country.
Speaker 8: You mean Akin in.
Speaker 1: Their first generation in this country?
Speaker 8: What if I would? Both importers had a solution.
Speaker 1: For this resolution.
Speaker 8: Gays and lesbians. Up, down.
Speaker 1: Comunidad Latina Latin community organizer, said, I would like to thank the crisis consul Lina Gonzalez. Lina Gonzalez.
Speaker 8: For.
Speaker 1: All you supported our community. Thank you. Oh, hi. My name. Hello. City Council and Mayor Robert Garcia. My name is Rebecca Ayala. I want my family to be with us. Not just my family. I want to. I think that the politicians are out there and that's why I like to support families all over the country have been all over the country. I want my country to be happy with the way their lives are now. People here also may agree. I'd like to thank the council members and Mayor Robert Garcia and especially Lena Gonzalez for letting us be here. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 1: Hello. Good evening. My name is Swimming Chair and I'm an immigration attorney with the National Immigration Law Center. So I'm here to support this resolution for economic and public safety reasons. National and local studies have shown that the DOCA program has had a significant effect on young immigrants ability to increase their earnings and expenditures, which results in greater contributions to the tax base. One national study found that almost 60% of DOCA beneficiaries obtain a new job after receiving DOCA and about 45% increase their earnings. This provides direct evidence of the economic boost provided by DOCA. The effect of expanded DOCA and DAPA would be even greater. The estimates vary, but experts agree that even modestly successful enrollment in the DAPA and expanded DOCA programs would add more than 2 billion nationally in taxes over the next two years. This money could be spent to improve infrastructure, education or other important local projects. L.A. County is home to an estimated 500,000 residents eligible for DAPA and expanded programs. This is the largest population of eligible residents in any of the nation's counties. These programs will help to lift immigrant families out of poverty and also provide them with the relief of knowing that they no longer have to fear deportation. Furthermore, law enforcement leaders say that darkened DAPA would make our communities safer by taking immigration fears out of local interactions with police. The Major Cities Chief Police Association, which is a professional association of chiefs and sheriffs representing the largest cities in the U.S., the Police Executive Research Forum, and 27 law enforcement leaders in areas ranging from Iowa to Texas signed onto an amicus brief in support of these programs. In their brief, they state that deferred action promotes public safety by encouraging immigrants to come to court, to cooperate with law enforcement, and by providing a means to obtain secure and verifiable identification. So finally, I just want to say that we should reject the prejudice, intolerance and xenophobia that some speakers tonight are promoting. That would be moving us backwards at a time when we really need to heal from deep racial wounds. Instead, we should be moving forward towards policies of inclusion, justice and equity. Long Beach communities and economy shouldn't have to wait any longer. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. So before before our next speaker just wanted to show so we have about probably another 40 to 45 minutes of public comment. And so I know I know I have one or two councilmembers that have to also have to be leaving. So I want to make sure that we try to get through. This is a very important issue. I know. So I'm going to cut off the speaker's list at the very end. Who's the last person in line there, Senora? So we're going to cut the speaker's list there. I'm closing the speaker's list. And I know that we have a lot of people that are that are obviously supporting the item. So if we can, as best as possible, expedite, you have your right to your 3 minutes. So I understand that. But please, I want to make sure that people are here for for the process. So please continue. And we have the speaker list is now closed. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Good afternoon. My name is Maria Barrientos. I have been living in Long Beach for 23 years and I wish. Thank. Good afternoon. My name is Maria. Laurie and I have lived in Long Beach for 23 years. And since I came to this country, I'll always pay my taxes. If you would support the immigration reform, it would be beneficial for me along with my daughter, since we've always dreamed of having our own beauty salon. And this would be a business that would also help the economy of Long Beach because we would support other people in growing, along with providing a source of work for others. And they would also. If it's possible, I would like you all to support the immigration reform. Thank you very much for listening to me.
Speaker 0: Gracias. Thank you very much. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 8: Well.
Speaker 1: Good evening.
Speaker 8: And.
Speaker 1: Thank you very much for your attention. My name is Ramon Gonzalez.
Speaker 8: And.
Speaker 1: I've been here for 20 years.
Speaker 8: E e resident.
Speaker 1: I reside in District nine.
Speaker 8: You're going to need that. And I'm.
Speaker 1: Looking for an opportunity in order to achieve a dream.
Speaker 8: Career.
Speaker 1: To study, to prepare for a career.
Speaker 8: In this space.
Speaker 1: Why in this country.
Speaker 8: Is it based? Because fundamental.
Speaker 1: Because this country has. Foundation for freedom.
Speaker 8: In principles and.
Speaker 1: Principles in education, which along.
Speaker 13: The way.
Speaker 8: Has.
Speaker 1: Taken this country to a.
Speaker 13: Development of.
Speaker 1: Technology, of technology and and science.
Speaker 8: Patel.
Speaker 1: Because of this.
Speaker 8: Your offer for.
Speaker 1: This, I would offer my talents, my abilities.
Speaker 8: In this space in.
Speaker 1: Order to cooperate with this country.
Speaker 8: In this special community.
Speaker 1: Especially with this city developing new technology. Eat and.
Speaker 8: Participate or just is.
Speaker 1: Participating in groups.
Speaker 8: Your organization or.
Speaker 1: Community organizations.
Speaker 8: Benefit for.
Speaker 1: The benefit of all?
Speaker 8: And conclusion.
Speaker 1: In conclusion, I would I would ask for your support.
Speaker 8: But not for.
Speaker 1: A comprehensive immigration.
Speaker 8: Reform awareness and support that.
Speaker 1: Could give us that opportunity for me as well as for others who need it. And in this way, we can show.
Speaker 8: A great potential to.
Speaker 1: Great potential that we can give to this country. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 11: Yeah. That's just like to say that there will be no immigration reform coming up. Also, our system is not broke and our immigration laws are just simply not enforced. Secondly, America started as British colonies. We allowed immigration. But that's not what made America great. What made America great was our Constitution or rule of law. Every illegal alien that comes here is in violation of America's sovereignty and our rule of law. They have brought their criminality across the border. The reason they come here is because their nations are full of crime, because they have no rule of law. They brought that rule. They did not leave their corruption at the border. They brought their corruption along across that border. I as a legal resident, I as a citizen, a descendant of immigrants, I have the constitutional and civil right to live in a sovereign nation with secure borders. Every illegal alien that came has violated my civil rights, and they are the enemy of America. And they do not love America. They're just here for the money. It's just greed. If the money wasn't here, they wouldn't be here. This is the list of crimes that they want illegal alien criminals not to be deported, but brought back into America. In 1970, we were the eighth largest economy in the world. Half the population, a huge portion of our population. Stay at home, mom. We didn't have the crime that we have. We didn't have the water shortage that we had. We didn't have the deficit we had. It was a better California than all these illegal aliens have at it. Nothing. All they've done is turn our freeways into parking lots. The all they done is put gang bangers on the streets. We had safe streets until they came. This is the crime and the corruption they brought across the border and laid it here. Why in the world would you want to take felons? Car theft. All. Every. Every minor money laundering. And put these criminals back on the street. It is absolutely insane. This is not a nation of immigrants. This is a nation of legal residents. This is people who love the Constitution. I don't know what you hope to gain here other than put yourselves on our political radar screen. This, this. I'm telling you, this will be the confrontation point of all immigration in the future. This mean if you want this stuff downtown, when people come here on their holidays, go ahead and pass this ball thing and we'll have it. But I don't think people want to come to downtown Long Beach as the legal immigration rallies. Endlessly and endlessly. And that's what's going to happen. What that what? I have no idea what you're doing. You have brought crime and corruption right in here, and now it's seeping into you. Illegal aliens, they only bring crime. They add nothing to this society. And if illegal aliens don't have to obey the laws, why should anybody? And we see that. And why do their children grow up to be gangbangers? We didn't have graffiti. We did not have gang banging in 1970. We were a society of legal residents and we respected the rule of law. You are going to destroy this society. This will not last.
Speaker 0: The times have sought to strike you. And we don't need to yell when we're actually making public comment one. And just to correct one fact. California now is actually the seventh largest economy in the world. So it has actually moved up a point. So go ahead.
Speaker 11: My name is Elliot. Information on file. I'll be brief. I just want to tell a quick story about a friend of mine who is is an immigrant. When he first came into the country, his status was, I think, in question. But eventually he he was a legal immigrant. And I someone who really inspires me because I know we're talking a lot about the effect on the system and the government. And, you know what? Immigrants contribute or don't contribute. And my friend, actually. Got his doctorate, went to college because of the immigration reform, because people gave him the opportunity. And he's actually now the current mayor of the city of Long Beach. And this December, he actually sent out an email to a lot of people who are supportive of him and followers of him. He's quite a patriot, something that we kind of have some disagreement on. I personally.
Speaker 3: Am a little bitter at.
Speaker 11: Some of the issues that has happened in this country. But he's somebody who loves this country.
Speaker 3: He loves this country so much.
Speaker 11: That he said this Christmas, he sent everybody all and everybody who's been following him an email saying that this Christmas, he's going to ensure working with our president, that all of our veterans that are homeless on our streets in Long Beach will have a place to stay. So when we talk about immigrants and their contributions, I want us to recognize that they're not that far from us, that they're an important part of our economy, that they're important part of our community. I also want to talk about a lot of the flag waving that's going on. There's currently a debate nationally about a flag that stood as a symbol of racism, that stood as a symbol of the ugliness. Again, I have my disagreement with the mayor over over the patriotism, because I'm a little bitter at the ugliness that we've seen in this country, because they're this country is based on a long history of telling people, no, you don't have the right to have the same resources I have. You don't have the right to be recognized as a valid human being. You don't have the right to do anything besides work and not have the opportunity to education, not have the opportunity to have a diverse city council member. You don't have the right to create your own policy. And and I want I know that some councilmembers might have constituents who might be on the fence about this issue. And I just want us all to recognize that many of you have come from a place of struggle. Many of you have glass ceilings that you are some of the first in your generation to to represent people, to be elected officials. You weren't the right gender or the right color or the right whatever. And and I'm so glad that that we're moving forward on this. And I want to thank everybody who's been in support of this.
Speaker 0: Thank you all. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 3: Good evening. My name is Richard. As far as my information is on file, the American labor movement has always supported human rights. I speak for the AMA, International Executive Council and our members in support of Councilwoman Juliana Gonzalez's comprehensive immigration reform. Since October, some 57,000 unaccompanied minors, the vast majority from Central America, have crossed the illegal into the United States. Many conservatives are blaming the crisis on President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DOCA, which allows people brought here illegally as children. Work, authorization or relief from their deportation. Conservatives say policy that the policy which newly arrived of newly arrived undocumented undocumented immigrants don't qualify for has acted as a magnet, pulling young migrants from violence plagued, poverty stricken countries like El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. But there's virtually no evidence to support this increasingly popular conservative talking point. Unidos Respeto mucho Podemos. Your God, I own a well, that Umana. Si, se puede. Si, Podemos grass. Yes.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 16: Good evening, Honorable Major and Council. My name is Jonathan Solorzano. I am a community organizer with the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition, as well as a lifelong resident of the city of Long Beach and a current resident of the ninth District. So I'm here today to show support for the DOC programs and also the need for comprehensive immigration reform. As you've already heard from our community residents, this is something the city really needs to get behind, because the truth is, our communities are disillusioned. They are disillusioned because undocumented immigrants deal with a variety of problems from housing, work prospects, wage theft, family separation and discrimination. We know our nation's immigration system is broken. And while we know it's difficult for local government to influence federal legislation, you have the power tonight to vote and show the nation what a city who embraces its immigrants looks like. Our community needs you to take a stand. Just as the mayors of two of the largest immigrant communities in the nation, Mayor Garcetti of Los Angeles and Mayor de Blasio of New York, as well as countless other other public figures have done so recently. And just to show you the support that is behind this resolution, I would actually like to ask those in the audience tonight to please stand. If you are in support of this. I would also like to take the fall to thank the following organizations for supporting this resolution, which are the Lumbee Human Rights Coalition, Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization, Building Healthy Communities, Long Beach, CPC Lane. The Filipino Migrant Center, Central Maine. The Long Beach Coalition for Good Jobs in a Healthy Community Housing Long Beach Latinos in Action Clay then as well as 120 signatures collected from residents throughout this whole process. And we would also like to thank council members Lina Gonzalez, Suja Lowenthal, Roberta Ranga and Rex Richardson for sponsoring this resolution. And while we are thankful for those who are here, let's not forget the millions affected across the country and the thousands in our city and those deported in this current administration, including my own father. Thank you for your time, and we hope you'll vote in support of our community.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 1: Well, I just learned something.
Speaker 13: New that Mayor Garcia was a recipient.
Speaker 1: Of the 1986 immigration amnesty. I remember the 1986 law, and I remember three things about it. We were promised it would be the last amnesty. We were told there would be 2 million recipients and it turned out to be almost 6 million. And we were told that the border would be secured. So there I'm sure people have heard the definition of insanity.
Speaker 13: Is doing.
Speaker 1: The same thing.
Speaker 13: Expecting a different.
Speaker 1: Result. Why would we do the same thing again? We'll get the same result. A lot of people say. That families are separated.
Speaker 2: Because of this.
Speaker 1: But in reality, any person who breaks the law. Is in jeopardy of having their families separated. Someone who goes to prison because they broke a law is going to separate their their family. The Social Security trustee. Report and this has been reported on by all the major news organizations, says that Social Security disability is going to run out in 2016. I'm not making that up. It's been reported. They're recommending a 21% cut in all beneficiary's benefits. Why would we want? To add more people. To be getting more of those benefits, are you? Going to go around and apologize to the people, the American citizens, when they have their benefits cut because you supported putting more people into the system. The Long Beach City Council should keep their focus on our veterans. Our foster children are unemployed. Our students are homeless and other citizens in need. And I saw a bunch of homeless right outside of this council chamber. You should not be voting to support something that the.
Speaker 13: Majority of Americans disagree with.
Speaker 1: Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 13: It's been a long night. Thank you so much for allowing the public to speak tonight. I would just like to echo what Janet said. We have a problem in Long Beach in our communities with homelessness. It's burgeoning. In my opinion, that should be the focus of a city council. We have veterans that can't get proper health care. Veterans that are homeless. Living in poverty. These are our citizens. These are people that live on this soil. Americans. Unemployment's very high. It's a jungle out there for the American citizens. And in my opinion, that should be the focus of a city council, your own citizens that are suffering and it's getting worse. The homelessness on the the civic property, I mean, it's jaw dropping. It's getting worse. That should be the focus of a resolution, in my opinion. And I would just like to add, our nation has over 400,000 foster kids, U.S. kids. The stats show they live in poverty. They're emotionally abused. They should be the focus of our society, our own suffering population. So I would just like to also add, we are a great nation because we are a nation of laws. And in my opinion, as a city council, a body politic should make resolutions that, say, uphold respect and obey laws. The citizens of the world, this sends the wrong message to our to the world smugglers that that Long Beach well will welcome your activities. So in closing, please, I would consider a no vote and think of our own suffering citizens. Look on the lawn of the civic center and and and help our own Americans. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Speaker, please.
Speaker 4: Well, you guys looked like you were a lot more interested in chicken coops and your ideas. But I like to say that I don't have any problem with with immigrants, legal people that come to this country legally. I had the problem with.
Speaker 3: Illegal immigrants, people that sneak across the border and they think that they can come here and violate federal law. And everybody's supposed to just turn their head and go.
Speaker 4: You guys are wonderful people, and I like all you.
Speaker 3: Illegals out there. Stand up if you're in this country illegally, stand up.
Speaker 4: There you go. There's open borders for you guys. I strongly oppose it. I hope you guys do the right thing. Thanks.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 4: Okay. My name is Raul Rodriguez Jr and I was here earlier and this is why.
Speaker 9: I brought my constitution.
Speaker 4: And I appeal to your conscience.
Speaker 9: This is why I would like to have your attention. Because by you passing this resolution, you are in violation of federal laws, because this is.
Speaker 3: Under Article one, Section eight.
Speaker 9: Of the federal government. You do not have the right to pass in resolutions that are going to protect illegal aliens who are here illegally. They are lawbreakers. They cross the border illegally. They broke a federal law by doing that. And when they commit a crime in the state of California, that's another violation. So I'm asking you to vote no. On this resolution because you don't have the right to vote on it to begin with. Now, Ricardo Lara is a disgrace to the American people and the city of Long Beach. He promotes illegal immigration. You can smile all you want. Mr. Garcia. I know that you're here.
Speaker 0: It's Doctor Garcia.
Speaker 9: Doctor? Yes. Dr. Garcia. You can smile all you want. But you know what? I'm putting you on notice. If you vote yes on this, we will do our best to get you out of office. Because you don't deserve.
Speaker 3: To serve the illegal. You deserve to deserve the American people.
Speaker 9: That's who you should be serving. That's your number one responsibility. Everyone to use. That's your number one responsibility is to serve the American people and not lawbreakers like the illegals behind me who are probably still standing. Maybe not. Anyway, the point I'm making is you should vote no on this resolution. I oppose it 100%. Now, they keep saying that the borders. Our broken. Well, the only reason it's broken is because we have a president who doesn't he doesn't know how to be a president. He knows how to be an emperor. And that's what he's doing. He is neglecting the laws of this country.
Speaker 3: He is violating our Constitution.
Speaker 9: By what he's doing. The courts eventually are going to put him in this place. The Supreme Court is going to put him in his place and tell him, you can violate our Constitution because it's wrong. So I'm asking you, please vote no on this resolution because you are not holding upholding your law. Your oath of office. And that's all I have to say. Thank you and God bless the United States of America.
Speaker 0: Thank you, sir. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 11: Today. My name is Jonathan Escobedo.
Speaker 4: And I'm here to talk about.
Speaker 11: The same thing we're all talking about here, immigration. I would like to say that I have a lot of friends that are.
Speaker 12: Illegal as well and that I've.
Speaker 11: Seen so far. They actually put more work into school than all of these people that have that are illegal here. I have friends then in heart transplants, but they can't have them because they're illegal. I have too many friends. I see them suffer. It makes me suffer. I just want you guys to vote yes. Have family members suffering like they brought up that we take their jobs when we actually take jobs that they are not willing to take. As illegal immigrants start from the bottom. They go all the way to the top by themselves. These guys don't know what they're talking about. They're being lazy. Some people be lazy. They have all the advantage of being legal. When we immigrants do not know no advantage, we take advantage of them, leaving us open spots at work. So that's I have more to say, but I'll leave it as that.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Thank you. And our last speaker, please.
Speaker 1: Good evening. Mayor Garcia and all council members. My name is Dora and I'm from Acle. At this time, I don't want to talking about all of our Constitution because all of you are still there, no more than me. I want to talking about Paul in Spanish first. I call these two areas LA Solution Killer. Lay them in cambiare. Get Reformative in DA Gil Congress. Honorable your local Obama. Good to know what they give you will not see on your attention. They look good about the interior. Get not them. Was there any other communes that want to sue that I do can't organize that would make you lazy on yelp political competition the ideal reception unit are would not coalition parent pianist cable dad. But I guess the point of contact. Let's see. We can have it for tomorrow. See to get is yet. But I if those anti-immigrant things cannot get in the porter.
Speaker 13: This will be much more eloquent in Spanish, but.
Speaker 1: I'll do my best. You are the.
Speaker 13: Solution. The law should be changed. There must.
Speaker 1: Be reform. Congress didn't support what Obama ordered.
Speaker 13: Don't complain. Take action. And you will call the attention of the interest groups.
Speaker 1: That today refuse to turn around to even look. Start with your own city and with your people.
Speaker 13: Begin to organize, use the legislation, and put pressure on the politician. Leave behind the deception. Get together with the coalition. But you have to vote so that you can count. There should be a civic network formed if you want to stop these anti-immigration.
Speaker 1: Laws that want to deport us.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Okay. Now I'm going to go back to back to the council, Councilmember Andrews.
Speaker 1: Mayor.
Speaker 0: Oh, because you didn't make comments. Yeah, that's right. Yes. Councilwoman Gonzales.
Speaker 1: That's okay. I first want to thank everyone who spoke. I think everyone, for the most part was very eloquent. I think I also want to thank my council colleagues, Suranga Lowenthal and Richardson, for bringing this forward with me. I first have to spend like maybe 2 seconds to give this energy. It really doesn't deserve more energy than that. But I find that some of the comments, it literally makes my skin crawl to hear the the level of hatred, the level of racism in some in some cases that is being portrayed by some individuals. And I just it just really literally makes me very sick to my stomach. These are not aliens. What's alien to me is that we call people. Aliens were alien. What's alien to me is that we still refer to people as less.
Speaker 0: Than we cannot be, actually. The public comment is over. So, sir, no more public comment. Now it's time for the Council to make their comment, please.
Speaker 1: Thank you. And so, as I was saying, it really is alien to me that we're still referring to people that way. With that said, an aside, there are real people, real faces. We've seen every single one of them in line. Their students, their mothers, their fathers, their workers. They contribute to society. They pay taxes there. You know, my mother is an immigrant. There are so many different people that contribute to not only the city of Long Beach, but to the the nation as a whole. And I think it's important that we're supporting this. We are the international city. So if somebody isn't interested in supporting this or they they feel that it's not a good idea to be hateful towards this. And what I would say is, you know, Long Beach is, like I said, an international city. There are different languages spoke here. We have the largest population of Cambodians outside of the the country. We have almost 40%, over 40% Latino in this population. And what's important is that there are people that raise families here, like myself. We raise families. We have jobs, there are educated people. There are a lot of good things that are coming from our immigrant immigrant communities. Comprehensive immigration reform is is needed so that families can stay together. Immigrant families contribute to the U.S. economy in a variety of ways. So it's time for them to be a part of our greater American society and for us to support them here in the city of Long Beach. Well, this is a federal issue. It is also truly a neighborhood block by block issue that is about families. Like I said, individuals, employees, they contribute to our society. The Council has taken supportive stances on specific immigration reform issues in the past, like DOCA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. We've all supported also supported the DREAM Act in the past. In February, the Federal Legislative Committee made the Directive support comprehensive immigration reform. And today, I want to strengthen that by passing this resolution. I know we've all heard it before, but we really needed to take a stance as a city of Long Beach. While we cannot make these federal policy decisions at the council level, we can work to support our immigrant communities who are vibrant and active part of our city in so many ways. As a resolution states, immigrant communities contribute so much to our local economy. They are our fathers, our mothers, our students. They pay taxes. They are here to stay. They're not going away. Their families, they raise our families. All of the positive things that we can we can mention in a dignified, well-planned path that includes taking the steps necessary to become a full fledged citizen is a must. Many others took these steps, and we must honor that process. I hope that my council colleagues can support me at this time and I thank them.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember. Councilmember Andrews, want to put your second? Okay. I'm actually a councilmember, your rank who seconded the motion and then I'll go down the speakers less councilmember Orengo.
Speaker 9: Thank you, Mayor. I want to start by saying a few words in my native language. Spanish. You know, that is as good as. Yes, but I better go down to Tampa, keep an eye on us. So it is that is important to yourself, I must say. It's important that they never unite reform of the immigration game. I tried hard, but I told those barrelhouse Americanos. That was what the Multi-Course commandos played on was one of the Mohicans. Goebel told us that those places Gibson was extremely lucky in Long Beach, Samuelsen When I see that bicultural, bilingual eat mostly lost me as moderators there . So what if you read it and there in Westeros that it was common was a mass. You're so equal with the immigrants. I am the son of immigrants and I had just as much right to be in this country as you do. And I'm insulted when people say. We have to look after our Americans. I am an American. I live here. And I'm going to die. I'm not going to die. So I'm going to support this issue because it's very important that we protect our rights, our rights to live in this country, our rights to work here, our rights to raise our families and educate our schools. And in case you haven't heard, because you live in a cave.
Speaker 0: All right, guys.
Speaker 3: Mark Mark Kirk.
Speaker 9: Mark Zuckerberg on June 5th, 17th contributed $5 million towards a scholarship for undocumented students to continue their college education. If you haven't heard. Presidential candidate Jeb Bush has stated flatly he supports immigration reform and he will do something about it when he gets elected. Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said the same thing. Presidential candidate Hillary Smith. Hillary Smith. You'll hear Hillary Clinton. Well, we'll do the same in terms of immigration reform. It's coming, folks. It's coming. So you might as well be prepared for it, because all these citizens that not citizenry here are going to become citizens. You know what they can do? They're going to vote.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up next up is Councilor Richardson. And please for everyone in the audience, I know we've done public comment. I'm trying to keep our decorum and for everyone, please. So let's please be respectful of both. Those are speaking as we did during the public comment. So next, I have Councilmember Andrews. Do I actually have Andrew and then I'll go Richardson.
Speaker 4: Thank you. You know, it's amazing to sit here and listen to the comments from the various people because the fact that being a minority myself as a black man and I'm hearing these comments about immigrants. You know, I don't think any of the individuals asked to come here. If they say America Home, the great land of the.
Speaker 3: Free, why wouldn't you want to be here?
Speaker 4: You know, I think of so many things when I talk about, you know, I work at a school, Coco Brazil. I've watched those students. Who work harder than anyone I've seen there to let you know that a lot of their parents are immigrants and a lot of those immigrants a lot of those individuals are immigrants. I don't do this because of a political platform. I do it because I know it's right. We all have a right to live in America. Everyone has a right to be in America. And you should not have to live under the embassy of, you know, being an illegal. You please. Illegal. What is that? You know, like I said, I'm a believer in reform and, you know, immigration in the past in the United States. But the Hispanics and the Cambodian community, I've seen many families in my district separate and destroyed by current deportation policies. And there's nothing that I can do to help them. The Families United is the strongest that I know of, and we must protect the rights of all families to stay together. A family stays together, prays together. That is the only way you can live in a country like this. You have to give them a right to be together. You don't separate anyone from their family. I would totally support this issue. And the thing he brought to the diocese. Thank you very much, Lena, for doing this.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up next up is council member Richardson Jones. And I know I know everyone is supportive or not supportive, but if we could just try to get through the comments and please no side comments, I'd really appreciate it. I know it's difficult, but please. Councilor Richardson.
Speaker 12: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And thank you, Councilmember Gonzalez, for bringing this resolution forward and to all the cosigners for for signing on to this item. So I know that so the city council is well documented on this. We've already sort of in our federal legislative agenda process, we've already demonstrated support and expressed that support to the federal government for comprehensive immigration reform. And in terms of the president's executive action, it's been said that we should focus on our residents or our jobs. But I understand where the president is coming from. I represent 56,000 people in the ninth District, and I represent all of them, whether they're documented or not. We all are one community. We're all when one portion of the community is hurting, the whole community hurts. We're all part of the same social fabric. And I get what the president is trying to do. You know, Congress has let this fester for far too long. And he took what action was in what was within his power to prioritize certain actions, to place a priority on families and communities. And that's smart. It's economically smart here in Long Beach, here in California. If we just move forward with with adopting DOCA, we would see almost $1,000,000,000 annually in in revenue to our own budget. Is that something that we should not support as a local person who analyzes and manages the budget every year? It makes economic sense in terms of sort of the the culture in this country right now. I'm just sort of taken aback at at the comments because, you know, just less than two weeks ago, we had folks sounding very using very similar erratic rhetoric that we've heard tonight go into a church and do something very violent and very, very based on hate, based on hate and ignorance. And very easily, you can take out the word you can use those statements tonight and swap out the word illegal for the N-word very easily. And this will sound very similar to that. And it's and it's just not okay here in here and here in Long Beach. So what I would say is I'm I'm an unequivocally unequivocal support to this. I think that Long Beach is is we have a responsibility just like so many states. Spoke up opposed to executive action. We have a responsibility to speak up in support of executive action. A part of the democratic process. When we go to DC, we tell them what our priorities are. As chair of Fed Ledge, we're going to express our priorities and express our support for this. So that's it. Thank you again for bringing this forward. And I'm going to vote yes.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. Next up is Vice Mayor Lowenthal.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I concur with my colleagues. I'm very thankful for the passion of Councilmember Gonzalez, as well as your anger and others who've spoken tonight. And I want to thank all of you that have come forward, actually, those who are in favor and those who are not in favor. I actually thank you as well. It's a constant reminder that we have so much farther to go. You know, this morning, many of us read in the paper that Governor Nikki Haley requested that the Confederate flag be removed from the state capital. And I was reminded that it's never too late to do the right thing. In 150 years, we may have only moved incrementally. But we've moved in leaps and bounds in so many different ways. And I'm reminded even tonight from the Rich conversation that we've had sometimes boisterous, a lot of times very disrespectful, which is unfortunate that life is rich and it's textured and it's complex. Just as complex, rich and textured as the people living them. But we have a shared tapestry in our history. Whether you believe that we are a nation of immigrants or you don't. The truth remains that we actually are rewriting that history. Is one way of living the rest of your life. But I'm comforted knowing that a great majority of us don't choose to rewrite that history. We understand our shared tapestry, and we understand that it's unfinished. When you see people that whether they toil in their own countries or they toil in this country, certainly when I see them, I am reminded of my own parents who immigrated here. And whether they did legally or not is of no consequence. But I'm reminded of why people leave their. Nation of origin and why they leave their nation of birth. It's a very simple thing to understand, and it's because we want to protect our children and we want to give our children. What we can and possibly what we're able to give. And that's not different from when our nation was founded. People left Europe to give the same thing to their children. And so. I'm thankful for the discourse and the acrimony that I heard today because I'm always reminded that our job is never done. This morning's single act of removing a relic from a time in our history that shouldn't either be celebrated or forgotten for the worst of its four bearings reminds us, just as this conversation does tonight, that our tapestry is unfinished, whether we move by two degrees or 180 degrees. The fact that we have moved in the right direction is our common cause and our common celebration. And I want to thank Councilmember Lina Gonzalez and the co-sponsors, as well as my entire council for raising awareness and support for the plight of our immigrant families. You make up our tapestry. I'm proud to be a part, a very small part of that tapestry. I will never forget that. Many of us at this diocese actually are our children, sons and daughters of immigrants. No matter how many generations removed. And sometimes it's that single act of bravery. And it's not ordinary courage. It's tremendous courage when people leave their countries of origin to come here for their children. But a single act like that changes the trajectory of an entire family. And I remind my son of that, that a decision my mother made when she was 16 changed the trajectory of my life and has. And so that's something to be celebrated, not not reviled in the way that we hear today. And, again, the discourse that we heard in the language that we heard is unfortunate. But I'm thankful for it because it reminds me never to get comfortable and never to look away from the ugliness that exists. Because the moment we look away is the moment we think our work is done and our work is not done. So thank you, counsel, colleagues. And like Councilmember Richardson said, the political jockeying between parties and between presidential hopefuls has undermined serious conversations on comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level and perhaps even stoked the fire of resentment. Some of that which we heard tonight in our communities rather than an honest conversation about those issues. I don't think it's a surprise for you to hear. I support our urging of comprehensive reform that reflects our nation's values, not just the values of a few, but our collective conscience. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I, too, want to thank my colleagues for bringing this item forward. I am the daughter of an immigrant, and I don't believe that this is a Latino issue or any specific race. We are a nation of immigrants, and immigrants in this country comprise some of the most hardworking and honest and dedicated people among our society . And I take a little bit of issue with any sort of allegation or assumption that there is a specific group of people that are committing the crimes in this nation. The reality is people are committing crimes every day. White people, black people, Latino people, people of all different colors. We've seen it in recent times. Some of the most horrendous crimes that we see are committed by our very own members of our community. So, too, to try to blame crime on a particular race or status is just wrong and it's factually inaccurate. So I do I do take offense to that because I don't think it's fair to label an entire community of people. Some of the people we heard from tonight represent some of the most hardworking people that you'll ever see, people who have 2 to 3 jobs to provide for their children so that their children can grow up in a land of opportunity. Those those parents should be commended for giving their children an opportunity at a better life. I had that opportunity. Many of my colleagues have that opportunity. And the parents that are working hard and doing their best to survive in this community and make their way through the community should be commended. And I do. I appreciate that. Tuesday nights are an exercise in democracy, and I take no issue with the comments that that some have made. Are opposed to this item. That's okay. We have that every week. People feel very passionately about the items that are before us. That's okay. But at the end of the day, we live among among one another in a community. And we're all trying to do our best. And that is the bottom line. Every single person is just trying to do their best for their families and give their their children the best opportunities in life. And that is something to be respected and celebrated. I think that the reality of our country is that we do need comprehensive immigration reform. What the specifics of that reform look like and what the compromises and the provisions and the final agreements will be, is something that still has to be discussed at a national level. But the idea that we have to look at this as a nation and figure out where the uncertainties are and what needs to be refined is important. And so I support this item and I support the resolution being brought by Councilwoman Gonzalez and my colleagues to this body. And usually most of my council colleagues know that any time issues like this come up, my first reaction is always, what does this have to do with Long Beach and why are we getting involved? I generally like us to focus on things that impact our city alone and really have our focus be on that. But this issue does impact our city. It does and impacts a large number of residents in this city and a large number of children who go to school in our schools, in this city. And it's important that we're advocates for those children as well. And that's where my standpoint is when I'm coming from this is, you know, what about those children and their future and the fact that they're here and we as a nation have a duty to look out for them as well. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, we have Councilmember Ringo.
Speaker 9: First of all, I am. I. I'm not unapologetic for my outburst. It was because I did have prepared remarks. But I just get too caught up in the moment that I had to say what I had to say. And I meant it all. Every bit of it. But I do want to give some thank you's to Congresswoman Janice Hahn, assembly member Patrick O'Donnell, state senator representing the representatives here to express their support of this issue. I think they recognize that it's an important issue, that one that needs to be supported and we need to support our president and working towards and our Congress towards comprehensive immigration reform. And I also want to say that to my mom and dad, who were immigrants here, who after 50 years became citizens and had the opportunity to vote for a rang up for their first vote. And before my mother passed two years ago in 2012, she died in November right around Thanksgiving. But she was very proud that she voted for President Obama and that she voted for him twice. So. When we look at immigration reform and we look at the opportunity for a path to citizenship, I think that the conversation is going to take a shift because there's going to be a lot of people out there wanting to change that conversation that we presently have now and the vitriol that we hear tonight. I hopefully will go away. I hope we'll go away. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, we have council member Austin.
Speaker 11: Thank you. And I do want to thank our Councilmember Gonzales for bringing this forward. I will be voting in support of this myself. We as a country, we've kind of kick the can down the road for far too long. The time for comprehensive immigration reform is now. The problem has been exacerbated because we have failed to address it as a country. Our president has tried to move, move, move forward and advance the issue. And it's become a obviously a very political football that has divided a lot of us. I appreciate the passionate responses and comments from my colleagues. I appreciate the passion from many of you who bravely came up here and testified today on this important issue. Long Beach is, as someone said, is the international city. It's a city of great diversity that we celebrate. And I don't think we would. I don't think we can honestly support breaking up families. People are. Here undocumented. Not because they chose to be here. A lot of them children are born here, too, to undocumented parents. They're in our schools. They are are part of our society. They are they're a shadow economy, oftentimes in our kitchens of our restaurants. We need to rectify that. And in doing so, we need to support a path to citizenship. And so thank you, Councilmember Gonzalez, and everyone else. And we I'm serving on this dais with children of immigrants and with immigrants themselves. That's the beauty of America. That's that's why we come to this country. That's why we're proud to be Americans. And so with that, I'm happy to support this and thank you for bringing it forward. I got sick to my stomach earlier as well, so I'm going to be excusing myself after this vote. But I wanted to stay around to make sure that I. I voted yes on this. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Just I'll make a couple of brief comments and then we'll go and go to the vote. I'm maybe I'm I'm not sure this is part of the motion or not, Councilwoman, but I think it's probably appropriate that this, as being passed by the council tonight, would become officially also part of the federal agenda. Yes. And so I know is asking our government affairs director and some of the assumption is, Mr. City attorney, that this would then become part of that agenda, if that's part of the motion?
Speaker 9: That's correct.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. And then the second thing I'll say is I just want to echo something that was mentioned earlier, and I think it's really important. You know, one of the things that I love about this country and I think I think this is the greatest country on the planet. It's the greatest country on earth. And one of the things that I love about this country is that we live in a democracy where people are able to have different opinions. And we can respectfully disagree. We can respectfully agree, but we have different opinions. And what what we should love about this great place that we live in is that whether we agree or disagree, we can do it in a way that's respectful and we can do it in a way that really lives up to the ideals of what this country was founded on. I there was a comment earlier about the Council focusing on on issues, on a variety of issues. And I just want to address those. I think they're important veterans. Veteran veterans were brought up in homelessness and unemployment, all incredibly important issues that the city works on continuously. And I'm proud of the fact that homeless homelessness is down in Long Beach by 18%. I'm proud of the fact that unemployment is at its lowest it's been in 15 years, that we have a great foster program in large part a lot of interest brought on to it because of Council Brough, Austin and others that and within the system that we have here. I'm proud that we have a goal to house every veteran in Long Beach that is experiencing homelessness by the end of this year. So these are all really, really great goals. I think these are goals are probably a lot of everyone in this audience can agree that it's the right thing to do. But I also think that supporting our our immigrants for supporting the men and women, but especially the children that are undocumented in our country in ways that I think we're very reasonable there. These are ways that these are regulations that I think our president has proposed that are reasonable, they're humane, they're thoughtful. They're not radical in any sort of way. I think they're very American regulations are very American policies. And so I want to thank everyone for for the conversation tonight. It's certainly been very, very vivid and very lively. But I want to thank Councilwoman Gonzales for for bringing this forward tonight. And so with that, we'll call the vote.
Speaker 1: Motion passes nine zero.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Now we'll go on to the next item. So we're going to go back. Okay. So 1112, we're going to go on to item 13, I believe.
Speaker 1: Item 23.
Speaker 0: Item 23, if we can get the clerk to read in 23. Thank you.
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution with the language below in support of comprehensive immigration reform: 

WHEREAS, the current immigration system in the United States is broken and not meeting the needs of a 21st century economy. The current system breaks apart families, is not conducive to family reunification and ignores the economic contribution of the immigrant worker; and 

WHEREAS, since 2008 more than 2 million immigrants have been deported and one in ten children face the deportation of a parent; and 

WHEREAS, it is not practical or humane to deport the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living within our borders; and 

WHEREAS, California has the largest population of immigrants, both documented and undocumented where one in ten workers is an undocumented immigrant, and immigrants are a vibrant, productive, and vital part of the state's growing economy, holding jobs in key industries such as agriculture, science, technology, service, health care and manufacturing; and 

WHEREAS, the City of Long Beach recognizes that immigra