Whereas, The City of Chelsea has long been known as a city with a rich and diverse ethnic and cultural identity; and

Whereas, For decades Italian, Irish, Hispanic, Polish, African-American, Russian, Jewish, Asian, African and French people have made Chelsea their home; and

Whereas, It is more difficult now than ever before to navigate the process of becoming a citizen of the United States; and

Whereas, Over the past two decades, immigration policy has become even more restrictive and punitive and has closed off avenues previously available for immigrants to obtain legal, permanent residency; and

Whereas, Many immigrants are in the legal and lengthy process of becoming a permanent resident, but they are still referred to by many as "illegal" and "aliens;" and

Whereas, The City of Chelsea respects all persons regardless of race, class, ethnicity or legal status; and

Whereas, Every Chelsea resident has the right to live, work and play without fear; and

Whereas, Every worker in Chelsea has the right to fair wages and safe working conditions; and

Whereas, Immigration raids that spread fear and break-up families are not warranted or wanted in Chelsea; and

Whereas, The City of Chelsea supports a fair and just reform to the immigration process; and

Whereas, Cities such as Cambridge MA, Chicago IL, and Maywood, Huntington Park and Coachella in CA, have declared themselves as Sanctuary Cities; and

Whereas, Sanctuary Cities promote a community as a safe haven for refugees and immigrants who are currently residing in that community from other countries; and

Whereas, Sanctuary Cities do not initiate or welcome raids that are not related to public safety and other heinous crimes; now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the City of Chelsea go on record as a Sanctuary City; and be it further

Resolved, That the City of Chelsea rejects the use of the word "illegal" and "alien" to describe any human being; and be it further

Resolved, That the City of Chelsea calls upon all workplaces in Chelsea and throughout the Region to treat immigrants fairly, with dignity and respect and to provide proper trainings and equipment and to pay individuals properly; and be it further

Resolved, That the City of Chelsea supports a just and fair immigration reform that respects individuals and allows proper and affordable navigation channels for individuals to become permanent residents and eventually naturalized citizens who can fully participate in the civic and political processes in the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Massachusetts Congressional District on behalf of the Chelsea City Council.

Councillor Roseann T. Bongiovanni, President

Councillor Roy Avellaneda

Councillor Paul Nowicki

Councillor Marilyn Vega-Torres

Councillor Brian Hatleberg