Local authorities in Los Angeles today, February 8, to discuss the resolution according to which the city can declare a «shelter». The document was endorsed by the Committee for immigration, civil rights and justice over a year ago.
The resolution does not provide specific legal consequences. If it is accepted, this does not mean that the laws will be changed.
«This is a declarative statement about our values, vision and commitments,» said a member of the city Council, initiator of the adoption of the document, Jill Sedillo in an interview with City News Service.
The Declaration of Los Angeles «city of refuge» means the intention to help immigrants with their rights and limit their cooperation with Federal authorities in these matters.
The resolution stresses that the control over the implementation of immigration law is a function of Congress. The involvement of local authorities to enforce Federal laws is unconstitutional. Los Angeles, according to the document, now is the city protecting the human rights of all its inhabitants.
The police Department of Los Angeles has long been implementing a policy according to which during decision-making on the detention of immigration status is not decisive. Also, the city does not give immigration officers access to detainees unless they have a Federal warrant. Thanks to Los Angeles in everyday speech for a long time, like San Francisco, called «city of refuge». Now the name can become quite formal.
The Resolution is not only declarative, but also the material. From city Treasury will allocate $ 10 million for legal services for immigrants.
