Bill Text: MI SR0087 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to rescind the order issued under the authority of Title 42 of the United States Code, and, until the order is rescinded, ask the Department of Homeland Security to refrain from using the order to expel refugees and asylum seekers.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-10-20 - Referred To Committee On Government Operations [SR0087 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-SR0087-Introduced.html
senate resolution no.87
Senators Geiss, Chang, Bullock, Bayer, Wojno, Moss and Alexander offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The humanitarian crisis in Haiti has been and remains of grave concern because of the compounded tragedies of violence, political upheaval, and natural disasters. Specifically, the murder of the Haitian President and the continued devastation from Hurricane Henri threaten the safety and well-being of Haitian citizens; and
Whereas, The United States allows asylum seekers the right to seek asylum upon arrival in the United States, even if they arrive without inspection or prior authorization, in order to ensure that people who need protection are not dangerously expelled. However, as a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order in March of 2020 suspending the right to introduce certain persons into the United States from countries where a quarantinable communicable disease exists, citing the authority of Title 42 of the Public Health Service Act of 1944; and
Whereas, While the order states that it is meant to avoid holding migrants in congregate settings for public health reasons, it is being used to expel migrants after they have spent long periods in congregate settings. Therefore, the order not only fails to protect public health, but it also seriously endangers the lives of those in need of protection, who are returned to dangerous conditions in their country of origin or border cities; and
Whereas, The United States has a long-held policy of welcoming immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers as is invoked by the words in the Lazarus poem The New Colossus at the base of the Statue of Liberty; and
Whereas, As an economic power geographically closest to Haiti, we should be re-establishing ourselves as a global power rooted in kindness, humanitarian love, and justice; and
Whereas, All migrants must be treated humanely and with respect in all encounters both inside congregate settings and at all United States borders; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That we urge the CDC to rescind the order that cites the authority of Title 42 of the USC; and be it further
Resolved, That, until the order is rescinded, we ask the Department of Homeland Security to refrain from using the order to expel refugees and asylum seekers; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
