Okaloosa County BOCC — December 15, 2015 — Resolution Draft Refugees (Okaloosa) v2

RESOLUTION NO. 15-______ RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA OPPOSING EFFORTS TO RELOCATE REFUGEES INTO THE STATE OF FLORIDA FROM THE MIDDLE EASTERN CONFLICT REGION WITHOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A THOROUGH AND RELIABLE REVIEW AND VETTING PROCESS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFECTIVE SECURITY PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND OF THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the United States of America has represented the ideals of freedom and has provided refuge for those subjected to the oppression, violence or tyranny of other governments and entities; and WHEREAS, as a result of the terrorism of radical Islamic jihadists and oppressive regimes in the Middle East, there is a humanitarian crisis where hundreds of thousands of refugees have been displaced; and WHEREAS, many nations throughout the world are providing assistance in addressing this humanitarian crisis including providing relocation of refugees and relief efforts; and WHEREAS, the government of the United States in an effort to provide assistance, is considering the acceptance of refugees from this region; and WHEREAS, as a result of the recent terrorist attacks by radical Islamic jihadists, there is a legitimate concern that the process of accepting refugees from this region may be used by terrorists to enter the United States and endanger the citizens of this country; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners recognize that matters relating to immigration and foreign policy are generally outside the regulatory authority and police powers of the County; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners recognizes that it is in the best interest of the United States to be a leader in the efforts to resolve this world crisis, but only supports these efforts if conducted in a manner that protects the safety and security of American citizens; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners believes that it is essential that any efforts to accept refugees from the Middle Eastern Crisis region be accompanied by a rigid and extremely thorough review and vetting process as to the background 1 and potential security threat of those sought to be relocated within the United States and the State of Florida; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners supports the efforts of Governor Rick Scott to oppose the efforts to relocate refugees from the Middle Eastern crisis region without the establishment of a thorough review and vetting of the background and potential security threat of any refugee prior to their relocation within the United States and the State of Florida. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: 1. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners finds the above recitals to be true and correct and incorporated herein by reference. 2. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners opposes any efforts to relocate refugees from the Middle Eastern crisis region without the establishment of a thorough and reliable review and vetting process as to the background and potential security threat of those persons sought to be relocated within the United States and the State of Florida and without the implementation of effective security procedures to ensure the safety of citizens of Okaloosa County, Floridians, and all Americans. 3. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners hereby directs the Clerk forward a copy of this resolution to the following: Honorable Barack Hussein Obama II