REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS OCTOBER 6, 2025, 6:30 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL 301 W 2nd STREET BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 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 or in person, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Miriam Dorantes, Chair Diane Kanawati Alondra Johnson, Vice-Chair Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Adrian De La Rosa Melissa Ortega Azeem Edwin Aditi Joshi Yohana Saucedo Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Caroline Solis Meghana Roy AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 special called meeting on September 10, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing from Houmma Garba, Language Access and Community Engagement Consultant, Communications and Public Information Office, regarding the new City of Austin Boards and Commissions language access guidance. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Update regarding the Community Liaison Officer Revamp Recommendation 4. Update regarding recent JIC meeting including discussion on public information sessions, about budget priorities, and digital access programs. 5. Discussion regarding rent relief initiatives for people impacted by displacement and deportation. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Discussion and approval of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs priorities regarding needs of the LGBTQ2IA+ Immigrant community. 7. Discussion and approval of the 2026 Annual Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Schedule. 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 contact Nekaybaw Watson, Office of (512) 974-2562 or nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. the City Clerk at For more information on the Commission on Immigrant …
Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Minutes September 10, 2025 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Special Called Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 10, 2025 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a special called meeting on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Shudde Fath Hall in Austin, Texas. Chair Dorantes called the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Miriam Dorantes, Chair Alondra Johnson, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Diane Kanawati Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Azeem Edwin Aditi Joshi Jeanne “Canan” Kaba PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigration Affairs regular meeting on August 4, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of August 4, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Kanawati’s motion, Vice Chair Johnson’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Lincoln- Goldfinch, Ortega, Roy, and Saucedo were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing by Rocio Villalobos, Immigrant Affairs Manager and DACA Liaison Officer, Office of Equity and Inclusion regarding the Office of Equity and Inclusion’s Welcoming Week and Citizenship Clinic Updates. Staff briefing was given by Rocio Villalobos, Immigrant Affairs Manager and DACA Liaison Officer, Office of Equity and Inclusion. 1 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Minutes September 10, 2025 3. Staff briefing from David Alcorta, Paraprofessional, Communication and Public Information Office (CPIO) and Houmma Garba, Community Engagement Consultant, CPIO regarding CPIO’s and Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s (HSEM) new emergency language access plan. Withdrawn. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. Update regarding the August JIC meeting budget priorities and recommendations to council as they relate to immigrants in Austin. Discussed. Discussion regarding a drafted Recommendation to Council to revamp the Community Liaison Office. Discussed. Discussion regarding the draft letter to the LGBTQ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission regarding the priorities of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. Discussed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Approve language of letter LGBTQ Update CIO revamp / recommendation CPIO BC update. The meeting was adjourned without objection at 7:44pm by Chair Dorantes. The minutes were approved at the XX meeting on XX motion, XX second on a XX vote. 2
City of Austin Boards and Commissions Language Access Guidance Commission on Immigrant Affairs October 6, 2025 Austin Communications and Engagement – CE Language Access Program _HG_09.10.2025 preencoded.png Purpose & Overview Purpose Goal Implementation This guidance outlines roles, Enable meaningful participation for Effective start date: FY 2025–26 responsibilities, and procedures for both commissioners and community ensuring language access services members fluent in languages other are available for City of Austin's than English. Boards and Commissions operations. This guidance expands on the City's Language Access Policy (AB 22-02) with specific procedures for Boards and Commissions. Austin Communications and Engagement – CE Language Access Program _HG_ 09.10.2025 preencoded.png Key Responsibilities Departments • Executive Liaisons responsible Commission Staff Liaisons for budgeting and coordination • Coordinate interpretation and of language services translation services • Must include funding in annual • Apply citywide processes for operating budget • Encouraged to use the Multilingual Interpretation Cost Estimator for budget planning procurement • Maintain technical skills through required training Austin Communications and Engagement – CE Language Access Program _HG_ 09.10.2025 preencoded.png CPIO Language Access Program Support Technical Assistance Vendor Resources Provides guidance on best practices to departments and staff Maintains and shares a list of approved language access liaisons regarding language access vendors in the Language Access Center Training Tools Offers training and support for staff liaisons on requesting and Develops templates, QR codes for real-time interpretation, and managing interpretation and translation services instructional signage Austin Communications and Engagement – CE Language Access Program _HG_ 09.10.2025 preencoded.png CTM AV Support for Staff Liaisons Orientation Training Staff liaisons will receive WebEx orientation training from CTM AV on: • Setting up multilingual WebEx webinars • Managing interpretation channels • • Troubleshooting technical issues Ensuring seamless virtual participation This training complements the Language Access Basic Training provided by CPIO. Austin Communications and Engagement – CE Language Access Program _HG_ 09.10.2025 preencoded.png Language Access for Commissioners Initial Notification Service Arrangement Once needs are known and meeting schedules approved, Upon appointment, commissioners must inform staff liaison interpretation services will be arranged. if language services are needed. Cancellation Protocol No-Notice Procedure If no notice is provided, services proceed as scheduled, with Commissioners must notify the liaison at least five business the department covering costs. days or as soon as possible before the meeting if not attending. Austin Communications and Engagement – CE Language Access Program _HG_ 09.10.2025 preencoded.png Language Access for Community Members Request …
