REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS NOVEMEBER 4, 2024 AT 6:30PM CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 W. 2nd ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Eric Anderson at eric.anderson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Melissa Ortega, Chair Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Luis Osta Lugo Victor Martinez Aditi Joshi Shweta Padmanabha Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Kevin T. Countie CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on October 7, 2024. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding the November 1, 2024, Naturalization Ceremony and November 2, 2024, Citizenship Clinic from Rocio Villalobos, Program Manager, Equity Office. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation by Anne Drane, CEO and Co-founder of SAWA SAWA, regarding the work of SAWA SAWA and the organization’s benefits to the community. Discussion of recent and upcoming Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) Community Input Sessions. Discussion of planning a Commission on Immigrant Affairs retreat for early 2025. Discussion of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ goals and objectives for the next year as they relate to the Commission’s purpose and duties in City Code. Discussion of the scope and membership of the Budget working group. (Current members: Chair Ortega, Vice Chair Dorantes, Commissioner Joshi) 4. 5. 6. 7. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 8. Approve the creation of a working group to promote recognition of the contributions of immigrants to the economic and cultural vitality of Austin. 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 …
COMMISSION ON IMMIMGRANT AFFAIRS MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 7, 2024 COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a regular meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Ortega called the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting to order at 6:46 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Melissa Ortega, Adrian De La Rosa Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Vice Chair Miriam Dorantes, Victor Martinez, Shweta Padmanabha, Jeanne “Canan” Kaba, Luis Osta Lugo, Kevin Countie PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING on 9/16/2024. The minutes from the special called meeting of September 16, 2024, were approved with the following amendment on Commissioner Martinez’s motion, Chair Ortega’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Joshi was absent. The amendment was to revise the action for items 8 through 14 to read “Withdrawn.” DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding general update and invitation for the Commissioners to spread the word about the citizenship clinic from Rocio Villalobos, Program Manager, Equity Office. The presentation was made by Rocio Villalobos, Program Manager, Equity Office. Discussion on planning a retreat for all Commissioners in the coming months. Discussed. COMMISSION ON IMMIMGRANT AFFAIRS MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 7, 2024 4. Presentation by Amanda Rohlich, Business Process Consultant Sr., Food Policy Advisor, Office of Sustainability, on the Austin/Travis County Food Plan. The presentation was made by Amanda Rohlich, Business Process Consultant Sr., Food Policy Advisor, Office of Sustainability DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and approval of the Commissioners attending the Joint Inclusion Committee’s FY26 Community Input Sessions on October 2nd, October 16th, November 6th, and November 20th, 2024. Discussed with no action. Chair Ortega, Vice Chair Dorantes, Commissioner Countie, and Commissioner Kaba indicated they may attend the October 16, November 6, and November 20, 2024, sessions. Discussion and approval of The Commission on Immigrant Affairs' Regular Meeting schedule (dates and location) for 2025. The motion to approve the Commission on Immigrant Affairs 2025 meeting schedule was approved on Commissioner Martinez’s motion, Commissioner De La Rosa’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Joshi was absent. Discussion and approval of the Joint Inclusion Committee’s Regular Meeting schedule (dates and location) for 2025. Withdrawn. 6. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 was made by Commissioner Martinez and approved …
SAWA SAWA Creating Meaningful Connections through Kenyan Woven Art & Fashion Diversity, Sustainability, and Cultural Connection Mission: To create sustainable, handcrafted products that empower artisans and promote cultural exchange Vision: A world connected through responsible, meaningful fashion that enriches lives and communities globally Anne Drane, Founder of SAWA SAWA ABOUT US Anne Drane’s journey began in Kenya, where she grew up surrounded by vibrant, rich traditions that celebrated the resilience and creativity of her community. Years after moving to the United States, Anne found herself missing this unique connection to her homeland and the artistry that defined it. Driven by a desire to bridge her two worlds, Anne founded SAWA SAWA, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Kenyan women artisans. By connecting these artisans with consumers in Austin and beyond, SAWA SAWA offers a way for Austinites to experience and support the beauty of Kenyan craftsmanship in a sustainable, impactful way. The organization’s name, “SAWA SAWA”—meaning “it will be well”—echoes this message of hope and resilience. Each handcrafted product represents the unique stories and expertise of the women who create them, while fostering economic independence and preserving heritage. Through SAWA SAWA, Anne envisions a future where conscious consumers can make choices that connect them to the artisans behind their goods, creating meaningful connections between Austin and Kenya, one piece at a time. MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS Meaningful Cultural Immersion Travel ART IN PUBLIC SPACES SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS Agave Leather Beads Natural dye Grass Website sawasawausa.com linktr.ee/sawasawausa CONTACT DETAILS Email Address info@sawasawausa.com Phone Number 737-3330594
Immigrant Affairs Update prepared by Rocio Villalobos for the Commission on Immigrant Affairs November 4, 2024 Immigrant Affairs Update Overview ● Naturalization Ceremony at City Hall ● Citizenship Clinic ● Immigrant Inclusion Mini Grants Naturalization Ceremony ● Partnership with USCIS, federal judge, League of Women Voters of Austin ● 51 new citizens! ● Next ceremony at City Hall: December 6th Naturalization Ceremony Citizenship Clinic ● Partnership with American Gateways, Texas AFL-CIO, Asian American Resource Center, and Plumbers & Pipefitters union ● Helped approximately 50 people complete the N400 application for naturalization ● 2025 dates: April 12, September 13
