CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY THIRD COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-19-143 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Patrick Davis
RESOLUTION
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Appropriating Funds To The Chief Administrative Office In Fiscal Year 2019 To Provide Humanitarian Support For International Migrants Transiting Through Albuquerque To Sponsors Across The Country (Davis)
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APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE IN FISCAL YEAR 2019 TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS TRANSITING THROUGH ALBUQUERQUE TO SPONSORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WHEREAS, in recent months there has been an influx of immigrant crossings at the United States and Mexico border; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico municipalities and counties, including Las Cruces and Santa Fe, have coordinated with the State of New Mexico to create a network of hospitality cities, ensuring that asylum seekers receive a basic medical examination, food, access to showers, clothing and toiletries, and a place to sleep, until they are connected with a sponsor across the country; and
WHEREAS, once they have received a sponsor, many asylum seekers need assistance accessing transportation to those final locations; and
WHEREAS, for many weeks, Albuquerque’s Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs (OIRA), working in coordination with local non-profit and faith-based organizations, have organized to provide this assistance to more than 200 new asylum seekers arriving per week, and staff of OIRA have done so as auxiliary duties to their regular assignments; and
WHEREAS, the US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have recently increased the number of asylum seekers released into New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the City has the capacity to assist those immigrant refugees requiring temporary shelter, food, water, emergency transportation, toiletries, and children’s services.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
Section 1. The City of Albuquerque will continue to work with the State and other New Mexico municipalities and counties to provide hospitality and humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers released in New Mexico.
Section 2. That the following amounts are hereby adjusted to the programs as indicated from unreserved fund balance for Fiscal Year 2019:
GENERAL FUND -110
Chief Administrative Office
Chief Administrative Office 250,000
These funds will be administered by the Chief Administrative Office for:
A. Grants and/or contracts to established non-profits, specialized service providers, and faith-based organizations providing medical services, basic needs including showers, clothing and toiletries, children’s services, and temporary shelter;
B. Emergency overtime for eligible City employees performing these services.
Section 3. None of these funds shall be used for legal services.
Section 4. The Mayor shall report to the Council on a monthly basis on the expenditure of these funds, to include the number of persons served and type of services provided.
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