2018 Legal Department Annual Report

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CITY OF SOUTH BEND LEGAL DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT—2018 • Ramos v.Nielsen The City joined an amicus brief spearheaded by the City of Los Angeles challenging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's termination of the Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from El Salvador,Haiti,Nicaragua and Sudan. This brief supports the protection of immigrants who cannot return safely to their home country due to armed conflict,national disaster,or other circumstances,and to safely live and work in amici communities without fear of deportation. The Judge later granted an injunction to keep defendants from enforcing the decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Sudan,Haiti,El Salvador and Nicaragua, pending resolution of the case on the merits.The cities and counties who joined the brief were cited in the Judge's order. • Washington State v. Sessions The City joined the City of Chicago and the City of Los Angeles in an amicus brief challenging the federal government's policies for apprehending and detaining immigrants with children at the U.S.-Mexican border. • Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia v. City of Philadelphia The City joined the Public Rights Project and the cities of New York and Philadelphia in support of wage equity, through prevention of workplace inquiries that perpetuate unlawful discrimination. The City of South Bend is cited in the brief as one of thirty cities that "had fair employment ordinances on the books" when Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We look forward to hearing how the court responds to Amici in their support of wage equity. Opioid Litigation The City engaged representation to file suit against opioid manufacturers and to represent the best interests of the City of South Bend in the national opioid litigation initiative. With the help of Departments,City Legal has gathered important data to support damages claimed and costs to residents due to the opioid crisis. Initiatives Enhancing Inclusion ❖ Disparity Study Assisted in securing a Disparity Study,which is being implemented and managed by Diversity and Inclusion. The study will be used to gather data and determine whether minority and women-owned firms have access to full and fair opportunities in the City of South Bend. ❖ Title VI Developed a comprehensive plan to implement new Title VI requirements for public meetings in the City,including forms, foreign language identification flash cards, and best practices for remaining compliant with contractual obligations. 11 I Page