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3
4
5
6 Cosponsors:
7 Patrice M. Arent
8 Susan Duckworth
9 Suzanne Harrison
10 Jon Hawkins
11 Sandra Hollins
12 Marsha Judkins
Brian S. King
John Knotwell
Karen Kwan
Phil Lyman
Stephanie Pitcher
Marie H. Poulson
Marc K. Roberts
Angela Romero
Lawanna Shurtliff
Andrew Stoddard
Steve Waldrip
Elizabeth Weight
Mark A. Wheatley
13
14 LONG TITLE
15 General Description:
16 This House resolution urges a humane response to the humanitarian crises at the
17 U.S.-Mexico border.
18 Highlighted Provisions:
19 This resolution:
20 ▸ recognizes the plight of millions of people who fled their country seeking relief
21 from civil conflict or other hardships; and
22 ▸ opposes separating children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
23 Special Clauses:
24 None
25
26 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
27 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice has adopted a zero tolerance policy toward
28 individuals apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border, which calls for the criminal prosecution of
29 all migrants entering the United States outside of ports of entry;
30 WHEREAS, the effects of this policy have been costly, unnecessarily punitive, and
31 harmful to family units;
32 WHEREAS, on June 19, 2018, officials confirmed, in compliance with this policy, that
33 2,342 children had been separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border between May 5
34 and June 9, 2018 (an average of 65 children each day);
35 WHEREAS, it has been reported that children have been held at the U.S.-Mexico
36 border in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions beyond the legally mandated 72-hour period;
37 WHEREAS, many of the affected families are fleeing violence in their home countries
38 and it is inhumane to punish them for claiming refuge or asylum in the United States;
39 WHEREAS, individuals claiming refugee or asylee status have a right under U.S. law
40 to due process;
41 WHEREAS, the zero tolerance policy that has separated children from their families
42 has threatened the moral core of our nation;
43 WHEREAS, forced family separation and the intentional infliction of injury on children
44 are reprehensible and contrary to American values;
45 WHEREAS, Utah supports, values, and respects asylees and refugees regardless of their
46 immigration status;
47 WHEREAS, Utah believes that families, including refugee and asylee families, are a
48 core and vital building block of the community;
49 WHEREAS, Utah believes in the words of Emma Lazarus, etched on a plaque at the
50 Statue of Liberty, Mother of Exiles, "Give me your tired, your poor...Your huddled masses
51 yearning to breathe free...Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me...";
52 WHEREAS, Utah is a state founded and populated by individuals fleeing violence and
53 persecution, and consequently has a rich history of being a place of refuge;
54 WHEREAS, Utah recognizes that children growing up without their parents suffer
55 lasting negative impacts on their development and future success;
56 WHEREAS, the long-term negative psychological effects of family separation have
57 significant and long-term consequences;
58 WHEREAS, various private, public, and faith communities have a long standing
59 commitment to supporting policies that encourage keeping families whole; and
60 WHEREAS, Utah has a long and rich history of prioritizing policies that keep families
61 intact and healthy:
62 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representative of the state
63 of Utah recognizes with great concern and compassion the plight of millions of people around
64 the world who have fled their homes seeking relief from civil conflict or other hardships.
65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Utah supports a humane response to the
66 humanitarian crises at the U.S.-Mexico border.
67 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Utah affirms the rights of all families, regardless of
68 immigration status to be together and strongly opposes separating children from their families
69 at the U.S.-Mexico border.
70 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to members of the
71 Utah congressional delegation, the President of the United States, the U.S. Department of
72 Justice, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Governor of this state.