Resolution 11-07

This resolution is sponsored by Councilmembers Piedmont-Smith, Sandberg and Satterfield and expresses the Bloomington Common Council’s opposition to Indiana Senate Bill 590 (SB 590) entitled, “Illegal Immigration Matters.” SB 590 makes a number of changes to the Indiana Code regarding local enforcement of federal immigration law and imposes an “English only” requirement (with exceptions) in public meetings, public documents and for government employees performing their duties. The resolution opposes the bill on several grounds. First, the bill’s provision calling for law enforcement to verify immigration status upon “reasonable suspicion” encourages reliance on race and national origin and diverts critical law enforcement resources away from preventing and stopping criminal actions . Secondly, its “English only” provision impairs the fundamental right of all citizens to access their government. Third, it stands to harm the economic welfare of the State. Lastly, the resolution maintains that immigration reform is a matter of federal, not State policy. The resolution supports the principles of immigration reform outlined in the Indiana Compact and authorizes the Council President to sign the Compact on behalf of the entire Council. It also calls upon the Indiana House of Representatives and the Governo to reject SB 590 and all elected officials in the State of Indiana to oppose SB 590 and any similar legislation. The resolution requests that the City Clerk send copies of the resolution to the Governor of Indiana and all State Senators and State Representatives representing the City of Bloomington. * Please note -- This resolution was revised after it was issued in the Council’s Legislative Packet on March 4, 2011. Revisions include: deleting the reference to the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police; adding a new “Whereas” clause addressing the Monroe County branch of the NAACP’s opposition to SB 590; updating the number of signatories to the Indiana Compact and directing the Clerk to send the resolution to the Governor. Revisions also include subsequent renumbering and minor technical corrections to clauses 7 and 23