[IRC Response to Jonathan Gomwalk, a resident of San Francisco's Immigrant Rights case promoting San Francisco's commitment to ensuring that all its immigrant residents, both documented and undocumented, may live in safety and free from discrimination in the midst of the post-September 11 "war against terrorism," by reaffirming San Francisco's status as a City and County of Refuge and an "I.N.S. Raid-Free Zone" and urging City Departments to comply with the requirements of Chapter 12H of the San Francisco Administrative Code.]
WHEREAS, The City and County of San Francisco is a City of Refuge for all immigrants which prohibits the employees of the City and County of San Francisco to cooperate with INS; and
WHEREAS, The City and County of San Francisco, just like many major cities in the United States, is the home and the workplace of many thousands of refugees and immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Gomwalk is considered by the African American residents of District 10 Bayview Hunters Point communities in the City and County of San Francisco as part of their family and community; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Gomwalk is considered by the immigrant communities in the City and County of San Francisco as part of their extended community; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Gomwalk has lived in the United States for 24 years and has been participating in the effort to serve the community; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Gomwalk has been a victim of persecution in his native Nigeria; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Gomwalk continues to live in fear for his life should he be forcefully returned to Nigeria; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Gomwalk has spent most of his adult life in the U.S. and is 43 years old, having formerly been gainfully employed by the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG) as its the Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Gomwalk is currently undergoing deportation proceedings before the United States Immigration Court; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Gomwalk is requesting political asylum in the United States of America; and
RESOLVED, That the Immigrant Rights Commission strongly urges the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to urge the U.S. Immigration Court to grant Jonathan Gomwalk political asylum so that he may remain a valuable and contributing member of the San Francisco community.
