Resolution 2019-30970 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-30970
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING REQUESTS OF
SENATORS MARCO RUBIO AND RICK SCOTT, AND URGING
PRESIDENT TRUMP TO WAIVE, OR OTHERWISE SUSPEND, CERTAIN
U.S. VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR BAHAMIAN CITIZENS DISPLACED BY
HURRICANE DORIAN WITH CLOSE RELATIVES IN THE U.S.
WHEREAS, on September 1, 2019, a powerful Category 5 storm, Hurricane Dorian, made landfall
in the Bahamas with 185 mph winds and gusts up to 220 mph; and
WHEREAS, the catastrophic hurricane parked itself over the northwest Bahamas for almost two
days, causing extreme devastation on Abaco and Grand Bahama islands; and
WHEREAS, incoming images and media reports indicate that thousands of homes have been
destroyed and basic infrastructure of many communities no longer exists; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach (the "City") and the state of Florida are not strangers to
hurricanes and the destruction they leave behind—in 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed a total of 25,524
homes and damaged 101,241 others, and in 2017, Hurricane Irma left a trail of destruction in Florida,
causing at least $50 billion in damage, and resulting in 84 deaths in the state; and
WHEREAS, moreover, Florida enjoys historically deep ties with the Bahamas, which is located
mere 181 miles away from South Florida, and, by proximity, many Floridians have family in the Bahamas;
and
WHEREAS, Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott have sent President Donald Trump a
letter, asking the administration to waive, or otherwise suspend, certain U.S. visa requirements for
Bahamian citizens displaced by Hurricane Dorian with close relatives in the U.S. (See Exhibit A); and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and the City Commission support Senator Rubio's and Senator Scott's
efforts, and respectfully request President Trump to waive, or otherwise suspend, certain visa requirements
for Bahamian citizens affected by Hurricane Dorian with close relatives in the U.S.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby support requests
of senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, and urge President Trump to waive, or otherwise suspend, certain
U.S. visa requirements for Bahamian citizens displaced by hurricane Dorian with close relatives in the U.S.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this !/ day of , P*stbfC 20
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ATTEST:
Dan Gel,Gel'-r, Mayor
`1 [Mk APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
Rafa I E. Granado, City Clerk as & FO EXE UTION
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(Sponsored by Mayor Dan Gelber ' • ..•.
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Co-sponsored by Vice-Mayor Ricky Arriol land'k hfi �[C i e'kr icky Steinberg)
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niter 6Statez 6Senate
WASHINGTON,DC 20510
September 4, 2019
President Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington,D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As Bahamians are just now beginning to confront the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane
Dorian, which stalled over parts of the country for nearly two days as a Major Category 5
hurricane,we write to respectfully ask that your administration waive, or otherwise suspend,
certain visa requirements for affected citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas who have
relatives in the United States with whom they can reside as they begin the process of rebuilding
their lives and their country.
Incoming images and media reports indicate that thousands of homes have been
destroyed and the basic infrastructure of many communities simply no longer exists. Many
government services, including those of the United States government, are not functioning in the
affected areas at this time. As Americans, and others throughout our hemisphere and across the
globe, work to provide aid and assistance for the many needs of the Bahamian people at this
time,perhaps.one of the,most basic yet meaningful steps our government can take immediately is
to ensure that those who have lost everything, including family members in some instances, are
provided the opportunity for shelter and reunification with family in the United States.
Florida enjoys historically deep ties with the Bahamas and,by proximity, many
Floridians have family in the Bahamas. While parts of the Bahamas endured sustained winds of
180 miles for almost two days, Florida watched and prepared for Dorian's landfall. Although
Florida's east coast continues to experience high winds and storm surges, our state is fortunate to
avoid a direct hit. Floridians are now eager to help their family and friends in the Bahamas.
We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter, and stand ready to work with your
administration to assist the people and the government of the Bahamas as they recover and
rebuild from this catastrophic storm.
Sincerely,
Ciono.a.• d=c111421'
Marco Rubio Rick Scott
U.S. Senator U.S. Senator
CC: The Honorable Mike Pompeo
The Honorable Kevin McAleenan
The Honorable William Barr EXHIBIT
414)(6.1D
3
9/9/2019 Coversheet
Resolutions-C7 AG
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM •
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Raul J.Aguila, City Attorney
DATE: September 11,2019
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING REQUESTS OF SENATORS MARCO RUBIO AND RICK SCOTT,AND URGING PRESIDENT TRUMP
TO WAIVE, OR OTHERWISE SUSPEND, CERTAIN U.S. VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR BAHAMIAN CITIZENS
DISPLACED BY HURRICANE DORIAN WITH CLOSE RELATIVES IN THE U.S.
RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the request of Mayor Dan Gelber, the above-referenced Resolution is submitted for consideration by the City
Commission at the September 11,2019 Commission meeting.
Applicable Area
Not Applicable
Is this a Resident Right to Does this item utilize G.O.
Know item? Bond Funds?
No No
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Mayor Dan Gelber and Co-sponsored by Commissioners RickyArriola&Micky Steinberg
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Resolution
https://miamibeach.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=14632&MeetinglD=681 1/1