Resolution 220275
Urging the White House to establish a process to swiftly admit displaced Ukrainians into the United States and grant refugee status to Ukrainian citizens.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“Resolution No. 220339, entitled a "Resolution approving the appointment of Debra McCarty to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water STATED MEETING 58 4/28/2022 Board"; and Resolution No. 220340, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3438 West Allegheny Avenue in the Fourth Coun…”
Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, April 28, 2022 · Apr 28, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
“Good morning. Dear City Council President Clarke and fellow Councilmembers, my name is Siarzhuk Shaliga and I represent Association of Belarusians in America. Stated Meeting 53 3/31/2022 People in western countries were feared World War III for decades. I understand the fear, but don't you know that World War III may have already arrived when on February 24th, 2022, foolish Russia started the (unintelligible) war in…”
Mr. Shaliga · Stated Meeting, March 31, 2022 · Mar 31, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
“Thank you. Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Francois Mazur and I'm speaking in support of Resolution No. 220275, and that's urging the White House to establish a process to swiftly admit displaced Ukrainians into the United States and grant refugee status to Ukrainian citizens. Philadelphia as the cradle of liberty is always taking a lead in the United States in welcoming immigrants, and this resolution provi…”
Mr. Mazur · Stated Meeting, March 31, 2022 · Mar 31, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
“Mr. President, members of City Council, my name is Eugene Luciw. I'm President of the Philadelphia branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and I speak today in support of Resolution No. 220275. Stated Meeting 56 3/31/2022 Philadelphia, a beacon of American opportunity and liberty, became home to a good number of displaced Ukrainians post-World War II, not unlike the refugees that are in Europe today, i…”
Mr. Luciw · Stated Meeting, March 31, 2022 · Mar 31, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
“Good morning, Mr. President. My name is Roman Petyk and I speak in support of Resolution No. 220275. I am also a Philadelphia native. I'm a child of World War II refugees, and it has been my privilege to support a vibrant and prosperous Ukrainian American community in this city as Board Chair of Ukrainian Self-Reliance Federal Credit Union, which supports 12,000 members and has assets of over $400 million. Stated Mee…”
Mr. Petyk · Stated Meeting, March 31, 2022 · Mar 31, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Mar 24, 2022Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- Mar 31, 2022ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
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..Title Urging the White House to establish a process to swiftly admit displaced Ukrainians into the United States and grant refugee status to Ukrainian citizens. ..Body WHEREAS, Over three millions Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country in the wake of Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion; and WHEREAS, A majority of the refugees have traveled to neighboring Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova and Hungary, according to the United Nations; and WHEREAS, While these nations have graciously accepted Ukrainians fleeing violence, many are struggling to support the growing number of asylum seekers; and WHEREAS, Other states in Europe, and allies around the world, must be willing to support and accept displaced Ukrainians; and WHEREAS, The United States has extended temporary protected status (TPS) to Ukrainians presently in the country as of March 1, but Ukrainian refugees seeking to come to the United States - including those with family ties - are reportedly facing the traditionally lengthy and bureaucratic process to gain admittance; and WHEREAS, Humanitarian organizations and coalitions have urged the Biden administration to respond to the growing crisis by modifying existing immigration protocols; and WHEREAS, The Jewish Federations of North America, in partnership with major organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, urged President Biden to "take immediate steps to help Ukrainian civilians, including by expediting the resettlement of Ukrainians who are already in process to come to the United States thanks to their close family ties here," and to, "admit Ukrainians with pending immigrant visa petitions as refugees, as has been done in the past for Iraqis and Haitians during crises in their communities"; and WHEREAS, The Biden administration has thus far tempered expectations for expediting Ukrainian refugees, with a State Department official saying most refugees want to stay in Europe and that "...resettlement to the United States is not a quick process"; and WHEREAS, Some Ukrainians seeking resettlement in the United States have resorted to flying to Mexico - where a visa is not required to enter - to seek asylum at the U.S.- Mexico border; and WHEREAS, The Biden administration should be commended for swiftly extending TPS to Ukrainians here in the states and for its commitment to providing millions of dollars in humanitarian assistance to neighboring countries presently accepting the brunt of refugees; and WHEREAS, More must be done, however, to streamline refugees seeking to come to the United States for resettlement or attempting to reunite with family members; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby urges the White House to establish a process to swiftly admit displaced Ukrainians into the United States and grant refugee status to Ukrainian citizens. ..End