UPDATE, AUG. 13, 9:21 A.M.: The Garden Grove City Council voted Tuesday night to rescind its approval of a non-binding resolution in support of President Barack Obama's executive orders on immigration (a.k.a. the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA and Deferred Action for Parents of U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents or DAPA programs).
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Garden Grove Council Members Draw Kudos, Haters for Supporting Obama Immigration Reforms
“This was an incredible disappointment for the public supporters, and for the community groups working in Garden Grove,” said Jenny Seon, interim executive director of the Los Angeles-based Korean Resource Center. Community members packed the council chambers and more than 13 public comments were made in support of the original resolution, according to Seon, who reports Councilman Phat Bui made the motion to rescind it.
ORIGINAL REPORT, AUG. 11, 6:34 A.M.: The Garden Grove City Council, which made headlines by approving a non-binding resolution supporting President Barack Obama's executive orders on immigration, may reconsider that action tonight.
The Korean Resource Center, which like a majority of the Garden Grove council supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs, alerted members Monday that reconsideration is before the council at 6 p.m.
On Tuesday, August 11, the Garden Grove City Council will discuss the possibility of reconsidering the adoption of the city resolution supporting expanded deferred action for childhood arrivals and for deferred action for parental accountability. Community members will gather at this council meeting to urge council members to support the resolution. Garden Grove residents, community organizations, DREAMERS, and supporters will speak at the council meeting.
Sure enough, item 7.a on the Garden Grove City Council agenda tonight reads:
Request of Council Member Bui and Council Member Beard to rescind Resolution No. 9315-15 relating to Federal Immigration policy. (Action Item)
Phat Bui and Kris Beard “have indicated that the resolution does not reflect their legislative intent and that there was confusion over the specific amendments to the resolution,” says Allan Roeder of the City Manager's office. Specifically, the council members want this language deleted:
Now, therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Garden Grove as follows:
Section 1. The City of Garden Grove will pledge its support to the effort implemented by the President's Executive Action on Immigration;
Section 2. The Mayor or his designee is authorized to voice support, participate in brainstorm sessions, outreach plans and execute such documents he deems necessary.
Section 3. Urge other mayors and city officials to sign on to any future amicus briefs and pass resolutions in support of President Barack Obama's Executive Action.
Bui and Beard want those sections would be replaced with this:
Now, therefore be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Garden Grove urges Congress to pass federal legislative reform to fix our broken immigration system, but recognize that immediate relief through executive action will benefit Garden Grove's families and economy.
Mayor Bao Nguyen had proposed the resolutions that were passed, with their original language intact, by a 3-2 vote on Aug. 4.
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