File #: Res 1684-2008    Version: * Name: Amend State law to allow non-citizens who have served in the United States military to become police officers and firefighters.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Immigration
On agenda: 11/13/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature and the Governor to amend State law to allow non-citizens who have served in the United States military to become police officers and firefighters.
Sponsors: Kendall Stewart, Tony Avella, Gale A. Brewer, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Mathieu Eugene, Letitia James, John C. Liu, Annabel Palma, Larry B. Seabrook, David Yassky, Charles Barron
Council Member Sponsors: 11
Attachments: 1. Committee Report 12/10/08, 2. Hearing Testimony 12/10/08
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2009*Kendall Stewart City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/10/2008*Kendall Stewart Committee on Immigration Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/10/2008*Kendall Stewart Committee on Immigration Laid Over by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
11/13/2008*Kendall Stewart City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
11/13/2008*Kendall Stewart City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1684

 

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature and the Governor to amend State law to allow non-citizens who have served in the United States military to become police officers and firefighters.

 

By Council Members Stewart, Avella, Brewer, Comrie, Eugene, James, Liu, Palma, Seabrook, Yassky and Barron

 

Whereas, Immigrants have distinguished themselves in the United States Military throughout American history; and

Whereas, According to the National Immigrant Law Center, more than 20 percent of Congressional Medals of Honor awarded in U.S. Wars have been to immigrants; and

Whereas, It is estimated that there are currently nearly 30,000 non-citizens from more than 100 countries bravely serving the United States in various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces; and

Whereas, These men and women are serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard; and

Whereas, According to a 2005 article in USA Today, at that time, approximately 142 non-citizen U.S. military service men and women have died in Iraq and Afghanistan; and

Whereas, Although United States citizenship is not required for enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces, it is a requirement for appointment to the New York City Police and Fire Departments; and

Whereas, New York City is a city of immigrants with a rich history of those immigrants being public servants; and

 

Whereas, Non-citizens who have honorably served in the United States Armed Forces deserve to be afforded more opportunities as a result of this service; and

Whereas, In addition, any non-citizen who served in the military protecting the rights of all United States citizens, while putting their own safety on the line should not be denied these same rights in their local communities; and

Whereas, Since the qualifications of New York City police officers and firefighters are governed by New York State law, New York City looks to New York State to rectify this problem and the inequity it causes; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature and the Governor to amend state law to allow non-citizens who have served in the United States military to become police officers and firefighters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JP

LS 4792

3/4/08