REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026, AT 6:30 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 W 2nd STREET 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 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 special called meeting on March 20, 2026. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing from Austin Police regarding an updated policy as it relates to immigration. Presentation given by Lee Rogers, Chief of Staff, Austin Police. 3. Staff briefing from Austin Equity and Inclusion regarding the introduction of the Acting Immigration Manager and future recruitment and updates surrounding immigrant and refugee related work. Presentation given by Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion and Houmma Garba, Acting Immigration Manager, Austin Equity and Inclusion. 4. Staff briefing regarding updates to the Levers of Economic Mobility. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., Austin Equity and Inclusion and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity and inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 5. Presentation from Academia Cuauhtli regarding a program update, information on their spring and summer programming, and shifting funding structures. Presentation by Dr. María Del Carmen Unda, Founder, Academia Cuauhtli, Dr. Angela Valenzuela, Academia Cuauhtli, and Dr. Emilio Zamora, Academia Cuauhtli. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve the election of Vice Chair 7. Approve the election of Chair 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 …
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a special called meeting on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Dorantes called the meeting to order at 6:34pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Miriam Dorantes, Chair Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Alondra Johnson, Vice-Chair Adrian De La Rosa Aditi Joshi Canan Kaba Melissa Ortega Meghna Roy Yohana Saucedo Commissioners Absent: Azeem Edwin Diane Kanawati Caroline Solis PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting on March 2, 2026. The minutes of the March 2, 2026, regular meeting of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs were approved during the special called meeting on March 20, 2026, on Chair Dorantes’ motion, Commissioner Saucedo’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Edwin, Kanawati, and Solis were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion and update regarding the Social Services Framework presented at the last JIC meeting. Withdrawn. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a Recommendation to Council to expand and strengthen prevention programs to protect housing stability. The motion to approve a recommendation to Council to expand and strengthen eviction prevention programs to protect housing stability as amended was approved on Chair Dorantes’ motion, Commissioner Saucedo’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Edwin, Kanawati, and Solis were absent. The motion to approve the amendment to insert “Williamson County, and other surrounding counties” after every mention of “Travis County” was approved on Commissioner Roy’s motion, Chair Dorantes’ second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Edwin, Kanawati, and Solis were absent. The motion to approve the amendment to insert “alternatives that may reduce and delay eviction where permitted, including extending applicable deadlines, prioritizing mediation, and providing enhanced notice requirements consistent with governing law and local policy,” and strike “mechanisms to extend eviction timelines, including pre- filing mediation requirements, enhanced notice periods, and eviction diversion coordination.” after, “Direct the City Manager to evaluate lawful” was approved on Commissioner Saucedo’s motion, Chair Dorantes’ second. Commissioners Edwin, Kanawati, and Solis were absent. 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council to establish a dedicated funding framework for a universal immigration representation model. The motion to approve a recommendation to Council to establish a dedicated funding framework for a universal immigration representation model was approved as amended on Chair Dorantes’ motion, Commissioner Saucedo’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Edwin, …
Economic Mobility Austin Equity & Inclusion Our Time Together • Economic Mobility Overview • Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections • Building the Economic Mobility Index • Turning the Index Into Action • Upcoming Event 2 What Drives Economic Mobility Economic mobility is shaped by our systems, policies, and investments — not just individual effort. Mobility includes building wealth and long-term stability for future generations. Education, health, housing, childcare, and strong social conditions enable families to thrive. In Austin, persistent disparities limit opportunities, but a person’s future shouldn’t be determined by their neighborhood or systemic barriers. Beyond Wages Quality of Life We Shape Systems 3 Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections High-Level Themes Financial Progress & Economic Outcomes • Deeply affordable housing • • Utility assistance and energy relief Job pipelines and employment access programs Quality of Life & Well-Being • Pop-up clinics in high-need areas • Culturally competent healthcare training • Inclusive planning processes for older adults Opportunities & Access Teen job search portal • • Strengthen multilingual outreach • Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and public agencies Families, Communities, & Systems • Neighborhood safety audits • Greening and beautification initiatives • Strengthen family-support systems through childcare access and wraparound services 4 Definition Economic mobility addresses systems to improve unfair conditions that influence whether individuals, families, and communities can prosper over time and across generations. It means access to opportunities and resources needed for basic needs, financial security, and a dignified, high quality of life — regardless of race, place, gender, or ability. 5 Economic Mobility Index Human-centered, place-based tool for understanding conditions that shape residents’ ability to thrive in Austin. Visualizes neighborhood- level disparities as defined by economic mobility. Focuses on underlying conditions to guide service delivery and decision- making using data and community insights. Provides a common lens to support coordination, planning, and shared outcomes—without replacing existing tools. 6 Our Approach: Identifying Levers National Frameworks & Local Tools • Drivers of Poverty • Social Vulnerable Index • Justice 40 • Neighborhood Prosperity Dashboard etc. Hybrid Engagement Process • Quality of Life Studies • CoA Commissions • Internal & External Stakeholders • Every Texan Peer Cities Review 10 cities similar in: • State • Size • Demographics • Product CoA Levers of Economic Mobility • 3 Themes • 6 Sub-themes • 18 Levers of Economic Mobility 7 Building the Index Together Early childhood foundations shape mobility • Indicator: Enrollment in early education (public …
