Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
Authorizing the City Attorney, in consultation with the Mayor, to join the City as amicus in any cases related to immigration which promote or impact Madison’s policy of being an open and welcoming city for immigrants.
Body
WHEREAS, On February 27th, 2018, the Madison Common Council reaffirmed the City of Madison as an open and welcoming city and recognizing the contributions of immigrants to the city (RES-18-00135); and,
WHEREAS, On July 10th, 2018, the Madison Common Council rejected the Trump Administration’s policy of separating children from their families at the border, calling on Congress to immediately halt this inhumane policy, and enact fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform (RES-18-00528); and,
WHEREAS, On March 21st, 2017, the Madison Common Council proclaimed March 21, 2017, as “Cities’ Immigration Day of Action” (RES-17-00208); and,
WHEREAS, Amicus briefs are filed in court cases by municipalities who are strongly invested in the outcome of cases, but are not themselves party to the cases and Amicus briefs can present additional information and context to the legal issue being decided and can be time sensitive and require immediate action; and
WHEREAS, on September 17, 2019, the Madison Common Council authorized the City Attorney, in consultation with the Mayor, to join the City as amicus in any cases related to immigration where the position of the state or federal government is contrary to Madison’s policy of being an open and welcoming city for immigrants (RES-17-57432); and
WHEREAS, new and ongoing litigation continues to potentially impact immigration policy and the City of Madison’s commitment to providing an open and welcoming environment for immigrants to live, work and thrive.
NOW BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Madison Mayor and Common Council again
reaffirm their commitment to being an open and welcoming city for immigrants and to support efforts consistent with that commitment through both policy and litigation; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the City Attorney, in consultation with the Mayor, is authorized to join the City as amicus in cases related to immigration which promote or impact Madison’s policy of being an open and welcoming city for immigrants to live, work and thrive.