Recommendation 20200422-002A2 - Immigrant Affairs Office — original pdf

Recommendation

COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Recommendation Number: 20200422-002A2 Regarding: Development of Immigrant Affairs Office WHEREAS, we heard from the community an appreciation that the Immigrant Affairs position was created, and a recognition that one person cannot handle all of the work that will be required WHEREAS, an immigrant affairs office would address the needs of the immigrant community in Austin are met WHEREAS, Austin has a large and diverse immigrant community, with varying needs and varying degrees of involvement in city government. Those most impacted are largely unseen, whether because of language barriers, cultural concerns, or concerns related to immigration status. This office will be able to reach out to the community so that their voices can be heard. WHEREAS, the City of Austin funded one full time position within the Equity Office to work in immigrant affairs WHEREAS, there is a large, diverse immigrant community in Austin, and our commission’s hope is that the immigrant affairs office can go out into the community to learn their concerns, see where there are gaps in services, and assess the City’s ability to address their concerns NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs is making this recommendation so that our commission’s concerns about this can be recorded. The immigrant affairs coordinator just started in her position and will need time to begin her assessment of community needs as well as availability of private funding for adding additional staff and resources. However, it is important to note our concerns that one person cannot take on everything that will be required of this office, and the Commission on Immigrant Affairs would like this to be developed into a full office. PASSED by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on April 22, 2020. Unanimously approved by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on an 10-0 vote with Glenn Rosales and Banafsheh Madaninejad absent. Attest: Staff Liaison