Play audio — original link
Play audio
Commission on Immigrant Affairs Homepage
Approved Minutes — original pdf
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2021 6:30 PM Meeting Minutes Board Members in Attendance: Krystal Gomez, Chair Nicole Merritt, Vice-Chair Karen Crawford Board Members not in Attendance: Sara Becker Adrian De La Rosa Rennison Lalgee Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Glenn Rosales Juan Vences-Benitez Staff in Attendance: Sinying Chan, Staff Liaison & Health Equity Unit Program Coordinator/Austin Public Health CALL TO ORDER 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 4, 2021 Postponed to next month 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Lieutenants Christine Chomout, Craig Smith, Kenneth Murphy, and Lawrence Davis, Austin Police Department (APD), to discuss: (1) U-Visa policy updates/report, (2) APD’s collaboration with ICE report, (3) changes to call routing and non-emergency response services (9-1-1/3-1-1), and (4) any new reports/Chief’s message B. Vote on annual schedule Due to difficulty to change the traditional annual schedule, it’ll remain on the first C. Formation of working groups relating to the report on immigrant incorporation in Monday of each month at 6:30 pm Nicole moved; Karen seconded; all in favor Austin, Texas Office of Immigrant Affairs i. Krystal, Nicole, and Karen will join Naturalization and civic involvement i. Kate, Adrian, and Karen will join Workforce development and entrepreneur resources i. Nicole and Rennison will join Affordable housing and neighborhood preservation i. Joseph and Krystal will join Access resources and community hubs i. Kate will join 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Budget updates Not clear if budget recommendations from the Commission of Immigrant Affairs are approved; Karen has followed up and waiting for the budget report Equity Office did not get more funding for the mini grants or expansion for immigrant affairs’ office; will look into current budget and staffing to focus on those two items B. Report back from ISNA and the RST quarterly consultations Juan is not present to provide any updates RST quarterly meeting focused on the situation of the Afghan community C. Joint Inclusion Committee meeting update – Karen Overarching concern list identified by the Joint Inclusion Committee is available; discussed the concerns and priorities Commission of Immigrant Affairs would like to advocate for LGBTQIA+ quality of life study is released and delivered to council Committee for People with Disabilities’ quality of life study is ongoing Discussed about how to have quality of life studies done more frequently, different …
Agenda — original pdf
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2021 6:30 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL ROOM 1101 301 W 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Krystal Gomez, Chair Nicole Merritt, Vice Chair Sara Becker Karen Crawford Adrian De La Rosa AGENDA Rennison Lalgee Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Glenn Rosales Juan Vences-Benitez CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 6, 2021; August 2, 2021 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Dr. Ruth Wasem, LBJ School of Public Affairs, final report on immigrant incorporation in Austin, Texas b. Lauren Hargraves, Refugee Services of Texas, refugee resettlement in Austin and information on the Afghan situation 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Budget updates b. Report back from ISNA and the RST quarterly consultations c. Joint Inclusion Committee meeting updates – Karen d. Update of Texas Legislative session - Krystal FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Sinying Chan at Austin Public Health Department, at 512-972-5117, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, please contact Sinying Chan at 512-972-5117.
Play audio — original link
Play audio
Approved Minutes — original pdf
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Monday, October 4, 2021 6:30 PM Meeting Minutes Karen Crawford Rennison Lalgee Glenn Rosales Juan Vences-Benitez Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Board Members in Attendance: Krystal Gomez, Chair Nicole Merritt, Vice-Chair Sara Becker Board Members not in Attendance: Adrian De La Rosa Staff in Attendance: Sinying Chan, Staff Liaison & Health Equity Unit Program Coordinator/Austin Public Health Sarah F. Williams, Staff Liaison & Administrative Senior/Austin Public Health CALL TO ORDER 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 6, 2021; August 2, 2021 Nicole moved to approve July minutes; Juan seconded; all in favor Nicole moved to approve August minutes; Rennison seconded; all in favor 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Dr. Ruth Wasem, LBJ School of Public Affairs, final report on immigrant incorporation in Austin, Texas B. Lauren Hargraves, Refugee Services of Texas, refugee resettlement in Austin and information on the Afghan situation Presenter could not make it to the meeting 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Budget updates Budget recommendations from the Commission on Immigrant Affairs (CoIA) were submitted in time, but changes in budget office and Joint Inclusion Committee caused failure in follow through Final budget was not specified on report; unsure if items recommended by CoIA were funded; Karen already reached out to ask for an investigation to see the results of the budget recommendations B. Report back from ISNA and the RST quarterly consultations No updates from ISNA From RST, a lot of discussions were centered around Afghan refugees; one big issue was on language differences; wish lists are set up but also needed help in managing donations C. Joint Inclusion Committee meeting update – Karen Will try to push up the budget process and not wait for the notification of the budget office Will ask all commissions of their big, overarching concerns and see if there’re common concerns in order to make bigger budget recommendations D. Update of Texas Legislative session – Krystal Focusing on redistricting and American Rescue Plan funding FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Vote on working groups Overarching budget ideas for Joint Inclusion Committee Have APD come present quarterly Have City of Austin Economic Development Department present on resources for the immigrant community ANNOUNCEMENT ADJOURNMENT Nicole moved to adjourn; Karen seconded; all in favor The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American …
Agenda — original pdf
Versión en español a continuación. Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Monday, August 2, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs to be held August 2, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (August 1, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 2, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-972-5117 or sinying.chan@austintexas.gov no later than noon, August 1, 2021. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to sinying.chan@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Commission on Immigrant Affairs FECHA de la reunion (Lunes, Agosto 2, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Agosto 1, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de junta en 512-972-5117 o sinying.chan@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una …
Play audio — original link
Play audio
Approved Minutes — original pdf
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Monday, August 2, 2021 5:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Meeting Minutes Board Members in Attendance: Krystal Gomez, Chair Nicole Merritt, Vice-Chair Adrian De La Rosa Board Members not in Attendance: Karen Crawford Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Rennison Lalgee Mehraz Rahman Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Glenn Rosales Juan Vences-Benitez Staff in Attendance: Sinying Chan, Staff Liaison & Health Equity Unit Program Coordinator/APH CALL TO ORDER 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 7, 2021 Mehraz moved to approve June minutes; Glenn seconded; all in favor 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Update from Rocio Villalobos on her work with the Equity Office Enhanced library cards – spoke with two community groups regarding enhanced library cards – unhoused population and LGBTQI+; UT is thinking to have self-identified LBGTQI+ students have their chosen names in the front of the student ID cards and legal names at the back; that might extend to all students; Rocio will speak with Austin Public Library and City Legal next week to talk more on the enhanced library cards Immigrant Integration Mini Grant – got 22 applications from 7/8/21-7/31/21; a range of projects that people are interested to get funded; Karen, Krystal, and Nicole expressed interest on assisting to evaluate projects; hopefully to decide aware recipients at the end of August Data and findings from the surveys on New American Economy in five cities will be available soon; will include recommendations on emergency preparedness and response Welcoming Cities report is finalized and ready to be shared. Dr. Wasem from LBJ School of Public Affairs will come present next month; will have recommendations on job opportunities and affordable housing Welcoming Week next month; still in the talk on which library branch will host the naturalization ceremonies next month; could be the Twin Oaks or the Southeast branch 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Budget updates No budget updates B. Report back from ISNA and the RST quarterly consultations C. Joint Inclusion Committee meeting update – Karen No updates No updates D. Update of Texas Legislative session – Krystal In special session; Democrats walked out; so far no immigration-related items FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Dr. Wasem to present on Welcoming Cities report Have APD come present quarterly Check if RAICES would like to come present next month ANNOUNCEMENT ADJOURNMENT Nicole moved to adjourn; Mehraz seconded; all in …
Agenda — original pdf
Versión en español a continuación. Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Tuesday, July 6, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs to be held July 6, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (July 5, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the July 6, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-972-5117 or sinying.chan@austintexas.gov no later than noon, July 5, 2021. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to sinying.chan@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Commission on Immigrant Affairs FECHA de la reunion (Martes, Julio 6, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Julio 5, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de junta en 512-972-5117 o sinying.chan@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una …
Play audio — original link
Play audio
Approved Minutes — original pdf
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Tuesday, July 6, 2021 5:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Meeting Minutes Board Members in Attendance: Krystal Gomez, Chair Adrian De La Rosa Rennison Lalgee Board Members not in Attendance: Nicole Merritt, Vice-Chair Karen Crawford Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Mehraz Rahman Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Juan Vences-Benitez Montserrat Garibay Glenn Rosales Staff in Attendance: Sinying Chan, Staff Liaison & Health Equity Unit Program Coordinator/APH CALL TO ORDER 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 7, 2021 Rennison moved to postpone approval of June minutes; Adrian seconded; all in favor 3. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Interim Chief of Police, Joseph Chacon, Sadot Azzua, Austin Police Department (APD) Neighborhood Liaison, and other members of APD to discuss: (1) U-Visa Numbers and Policy, (2) Freedom Cities Resolutions Reports, and (3) new APD initiatives and policies B. Faisal Al-Juburi, RAICES, history in Austin and anticipated scope of work Faisal was having technical difficulties and trying to reconnect; Kate moved to move Faisal to the bottom of New Business to let him reconnect; Adrian seconded; all in favor Presenter was not able to present due to technical difficulties C. Update from Rocio Villalobos on her work with the Equity Office Two naturalization ceremonies will be happening in July at the Twin Oaks Branch Library; with library card and voter registrations and COVID-19 vaccine administration Immigrant Integration Mini Grant will be launched tomorrow on 7/7/21 Talks and meetings on enhanced library cards are still going on; still need to follow up with City Legal D. Vote on a representative to attend Austin Public Health Asian Pacific Islander Task Force meetings Adrian moved to have Rennison be the representative; Kate seconded; all in favor E. Discussion and possible action regarding the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Yearly Report Krystal will send out future goals for the commission to staff liaison to forward to all commissioners for feedbacks Mehraz will help Krystal with the writing 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Budget updates No budget updates B. Report back from ISNA and the RST quarterly consultations C. Joint Inclusion Committee meeting update – Karen No updates No updates D. Update of Texas Legislative session – Krystal In special session; no information on anything immigrant related FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Have APD come present quarterly Check if RAICES would like to come …
Agenda — original pdf
Versión en español a continuación. Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Monday, June 7, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs to be held June 7, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 6, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 7, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-972-5117 or sinying.chan@austintexas.gov no later than noon, June 6, 2021. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to sinying.chan@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Commission on Immigrant Affairs FECHA de la reunion (Lunes, Junio 7, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Junio 6, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de junta en 512-972-5117 o sinying.chan@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una …
Play audio — original link
Play audio
Approved Minutes — original pdf
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Monday, June 7, 2021 5:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Meeting Minutes Adrian De La Rosa Montserrat Garibay Rennison Lalgee Board Members in Attendance: Krystal Gomez, Chair Nicole Merritt, Vice Chair Karen Crawford Board Members not in Attendance: Glenn Rosales Staff in Attendance: Sinying Chan, Staff Liaison & Health Equity Unit Program Coordinator/APH CALL TO ORDER 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 3, 2021 Nicole moved to approve May minutes; Adrian seconded; all in favor 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Update from Rocio Villalobos on her work with the Equity Office Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Juan Vences-Benitez Starting May 14, 2021, with the collaboration of Austin Public Library, Austin Public Health, and USCIS, Austin has been hosting naturalization ceremonies again. Voter registration and library card registration are available, as well as COVID-19 vaccines. ATXN attended the May 28, 2021 ceremony to shoot footage and do interviews for City View features. Will be shared during Welcoming Week in September Rocio has been meeting with various city departments and community partners to discuss the enhanced library card. Some concerns are on Austin Public Library’s databases and privacy information collection and storage. Community groups expressed interest in the card serving as a photo ID as well All recommendations are in for the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force and working groups; the proposals are separated in to two phases to review; community review panel for APD training will continue their work on the Reimagine Police Academy to provide training recommendations for cadets Mini grant program will likely launch next week to provide awards for programs that are designed to eliminate structural barriers and/or improve quality of life for various immigrant communities; would like the commission to spread the word about the program and have some commissioners to join as part of the review panel; Krystal, Nicole, and Karen will be helping to review Juan moved to form a working group around the enhanced library card; Karen seconded; Krystal, Adrian, and Juan will be on the work group B. Ayesha Hassan, Austin Refugee Roundtable, updates on World Refugee Day celebration World Refugee Day is usually celebrated on June 20 each year, but this year it is celebrated throughout the whole month of June. Will have more diversity and event planning to include and educate as many people as possible. Will have …
Agenda — original pdf
Versión en español a continuación. Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Monday, May 3, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs to be held May 3, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (May 2, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the May 3, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-972-5117 or sinying.chan@austintexas.gov no later than noon, May 2, 2021. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to sinying.chan@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Commission on Immigrant Affairs FECHA de la reunion (Lunes, Mayo 3, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Mayo 2, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de junta en 512-972-5117 o sinying.chan@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una …
Play audio — original link
Play audio
Approved Minutes — original pdf
Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Rennison Lalgee COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Monday, May 3, 2021 5:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Meeting Minutes Karen Crawford Adrian De La Rosa Board Members in Attendance: Krystal Gomez, Chair Nicole Merritt, Vice Chair Juan Vences-Benitez Board Members not in Attendance: Montserrat Garibay Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Glenn Rosales Staff in Attendance: Sinying Chan, Staff Liaison & Health Equity Unit Program Coordinator/APH CALL TO ORDER 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 1, 2021; April 5, 2021 Nicole moved to postpone March and April minutes to the end of meeting; Karen seconded; March and April minutes were reviewed at the end of the meeting Karen moved to approve March minutes with one edit; Nicole seconded; all in favor Nicole moved to approve April minutes with edits; Adrian seconded; all in favor all in favor 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Update from Rocio Villalobos on her work with the Equity Office Presenter was not able to present due to scheduling conflict 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Budget updates pattern All budget recommendations are uploaded and submitted. Currently in a holding B. Report back from ISNA and the RST quarterly consultations Nothing to report back from ISNA as Sam was not reappointed as commissioner Nothing to report back from RST Karen moved to have Juan to be the representative of ISNA; Adrian seconded; all in favor C. Joint Inclusion Committee meeting update – Karen Karen was elected Vice Chair of the Joint Inclusion Committee For budget, JIC approved a proposal of internet broadband connecting the city; it also voted to endorse a couple of the budget recommendations from the Commission on Immigrant Affairs – legal services funding and summer camps; will vote on the healthcare navigator recommendation at next meeting For Compassion Contract, it is still being worked on; waiting on guidance from the Office of the City Manager; Karen will forward more details to other commissioners D. Update of Texas Legislative session – Krystal There were some anti-immigration bills that would not be passed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS meetings Vote on the representative to attend Austin Public Health Asian Pacific Islander Task Force Updates from Rocio Villalobos including municipal ID The impacts of Prop B on the immigrant community Updates from APD The status on certifying Austin as a welcoming city …
Agenda — original pdf
Versión en español a continuación. Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Monday, April 5, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs to be held April 5, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (April 4, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 5, 2021 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-972-5117 or sinying.chan@austintexas.gov no later than noon, April 4, 2021. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to sinying.chan@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Commission on Immigrant Affairs FECHA de la reunion (Lunes, Abril 5, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Abril 4, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de junta en 512-972-5117 o sinying.chan@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una …
20210405-2c: Fund DACA Clinics — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20210405‐2c: Fund DACA Clinics WHEREAS, the DACA program allows eligible people to obtain and renew work authorization in two year increments, allowing them to further participate in Austin’s economy; and WHEREAS, the DACA program was recently reinstated after being closed for three years, and many people who became eligible over those three years, especially people who were too young to apply previously, need assistance in applying for the program; and WHEREAS, DACA allows people to be more secure members of our community, and participate fully in our community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends that the City of Austin fund DACA clinics over the next two years. Date of Approval: April 5, 2021 Attest: Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 8‐0 vote with Juan Vences‐Benitez, Rennison Lalgee, and Glenn Rosales absent Staff Liaison
20210405-2c: Immigrant Integration Mini Grants — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20210405‐2c: Immigrant Integration Mini Grants Whereas, the City of Austin is a Welcoming Community, as noted in Resolution 20140320‐049; and Whereas, organizations in the community could be funded with mini grants to help foster a sense of welcoming among immigrant1 communities; and Whereas, the Equity Office has an existing Mini Grant program that can serve as a model for an Immigrant Integration Mini‐Grant Fund to improve the quality of life of immigrant communities; and Whereas, an Immigrant Integration Mini‐Grant Fund would provide flexible resources for local, community‐based organizations to seed projects; and Whereas, the Fund would help increase sense of welcoming and belonging of immigrant communities; and Whereas, the projects granted the funds would be focused on eliminating structural barriers for the City’s various immigrant populations; and Whereas, the projects granted the funds would be focused on improving the quality of life for the City’s various immigrant populations; and Whereas, the Fund would support creative projects that can help bring diverse communities together in the spirit of collaboration; and Whereas, the Fund would support projects that are aligned with advancing one or more of the six outcome priorities featured in Austin City Council’s Strategic Direction 2023 addressing equity concerns and disparities where gaps need to be closed; and Whereas, the Equity Office was able to pilot the project during the current fiscal year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends that the City of Austin set aside a pool of at least $100,000 to the Equity Office for continued funding for an Immigrant Integration Mini‐Grant Fund. Each Mini‐Grant would be no more than $10,000. Date of Approval: April 5, 2021 1 The term “immigrant” as used here also includes people who are refugees and asylees/asylum‐seekers. Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 8‐0 vote with Juan Vences‐Benitez, Rennison Lalgee, and Glenn Rosales absent Attest: Staff Liaison