Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs

Agenda — original pdf

REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026, AT 6:30 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 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 Nekaybaw Watson, 512-974-2562, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS : Miriam Dorantes, Chair Adrian De La Rosa Aditi Joshi Diane Kanawati Melissa Ortega Caroline Solis AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Alondra Johnson, Vice-Chair Azeem Edwin Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Meghna Roy Yohana Saucedo The first ten 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on February 2, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update from the Quality-of-Life Study Working Group regarding progress with the Institutional Review Board, data collectors, and study practices. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a Recommendation to Council to expand and strengthen eviction prevention programs to protect housing stability. 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council to establish a dedicated funding framework for a universal immigration representation model. 5. Approve a Recommendation to Council to prioritize filling the Immigrant Affairs Manager position to strengthen city coordination and leadership. 6. Approve a Recommendation to Council to fund comprehensive equity and inclusion trainings across city departments. 7. Approve a Recommendation to Council to re-instate and fund the Family Stabilization Grant. 8. Approve a Recommendation to Council to maintain and increase funding support for American Gateways’ Immigrant Legal Services to ensure ongoing community access to representation. 9. Approve a statement of concern regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. …

Item 1: Draft Minutes for 2.02.26 — original pdf

COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a regular meeting on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Dorantes called the meeting to order at 6:38pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Miriam Dorantes, Chair Azeem Edwin Diane Kanawati Caroline Solis Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Adrian De La Rosa Canan Kaba Meghna Roy Commissioners Absent: Alondra Johnson, Vice Chair Aditi Joshi Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Melissa Ortega Yohana Saucedo PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ana Maria Rea - Mama Sana Vibrant Woman Alicia Torres - Policy Package 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting on January 5, 2025. The minutes of the January 5, 2026, regular meeting of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was approved during the February 2, 2026, regular meeting on Commissioner Kanawati’s motion, Commissioner Edwin’s second on a 7-0 vote. Vice Chair Johnson, and Commissioners Joshi, Lincoln-Goldfinch, Ortega, and Saucedo were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by American Gateways regarding successes with the City of Austin and its request for the prioritization of immigration funding in the FY 26-27 budget. Presentation by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. The presentation was given by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. 3. Discussion of a community concern around interactions between Austin Police with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement. Discussed. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Budget Working Group regarding areas of support and deadlines for the submission of budget recommendations. Update was provided by Chair Dorantes and Commissioner Kanawati. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a list of budget priorities for each commissioner’s district. Withdrawn. 6. Approve the Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ alternative representative for the Joint Inclusion Committee. The motion to approve Commissioner Edwin as the Joint Inclusion Committee alternate for the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was approved on Commissioner Edwin’s motion, Commissioner Kanawati’s second on a 7-0 vote. Vice Chair Johnson and Commissioners Joshi, Lincoln-Goldfinch, Ortega, and Saucedo were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Approve budget recommendations for FY 27 Budget. Approve a draft statement about board concerns for Immigration and Custom Enforcement. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned without objection at 8:04 on Chair Dorantes’ motion. 2