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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Members of the Austin Sanctuary Network have |
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demonstrated tremendous dedication to the well-being of vulnerable |
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asylum seekers; and |
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WHEREAS, Founded in 2015, ASN is a coalition of faith |
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communities, immigrants, and others committed to sheltering and |
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assisting immigrants and asylum seekers who have fled dangerous and |
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deadly conditions in their countries of origin; the network upholds |
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the time-honored tradition of offering safe haven in places of |
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worship as it stands in solidarity with undocumented immigrants who |
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are being detained unjustly and denied asylum status; and |
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WHEREAS, ASN strives to create a community to provide |
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physical sanctuary for immigrants who have exhausted their legal |
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options and face deportation; congregations offering sanctuary |
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supply shelter, needed food, clothing, and legal, medical, and |
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educational assistance; and |
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WHEREAS, Since late 2016, as Immigration and Customs |
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Enforcement has become more aggressive in pursuing undocumented |
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immigrants, ASN has broadened its scope in order to protect human |
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rights; it has embraced asylum seekers Alirio Gamez, Hilda Ramirez, |
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and Ivan Ramirez as members of the community, supporting them as |
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they live in sanctuary at two local churches; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gamez escaped violence and death threats in El |
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Salvador, and in September 2017, he received sanctuary at First |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin; Ms. Ramirez and her young |
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son, Ivan, fled violence in Guatemala, and they have been residing |
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at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church for nearly three years; the |
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lives of all three are at risk if they are sent back to their |
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countries of origin; previously, they were determined to be a |
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low-level priority for deportation and were granted temporary |
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stays, and ICE is vested with the discretion to decline to pursue |
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enforcement or to further defer action, given that the interest |
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served is not substantial or is outweighed by other considerations; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Alirio Gamez, Hilda Ramirez, and Ivan Ramirez are |
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seeking asylum in this country, as is their legal right, and the |
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Austin Sanctuary Network is working with faith and compassion to |
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help these brave members of the faith community realize their |
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dreams of living in safety and freedom and making positive |
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contributions to our society; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the Austin Sanctuary Network for its |
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efforts in behalf of asylum seekers Alirio Gamez, Hilda Ramirez, |
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and Ivan Ramirez and commend the members of the network for their |
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humanitarian work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for ASN as an expression of high regard by the Texas House |
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of Representatives. |