Item 5: Commission on Immigrant Affairs Annual Internal Review — original pdf

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Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 Commission on Immigrant Affairs The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: § 2-1-126 - COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS. (B)The commission shall: (1) advise the city council on issues of common concern to immigrants, particularly in the areas of health and human services, education, and the demographic makeup of the Austin immigrant community; (2) monitor requirements of federal, state, and local immigration, welfare and other laws that affect immigrants, and recommend to the city council actions to maximize the benefits to local immigrants under existing laws and to minimize the adverse impacts to local immigrants under the laws; (3) promote recognition of the contributions of the foreign-born to the economic and cultural vitality of Austin; and (4) promote the availability of, and promote accessibility to, local educational, economic, legal, and social resources for immigrants. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. (Reference all reports, recommendations, letters or resolutions presented to the City Council on mission-specific issues. If some of the elements of the mission statement were not acted on by the board in the past year, the report should explain why no action was taken.) The Commission on Immigrant Affairs (CoIA) submitted its budget recommendations to City Council for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. These recommendations were shared with City Council and relevant staff, in alignment with the commission’s advisory role to promote equitable access to educational, economic, legal, health, human services, and social resources for immigrant communities. Annual Review and Work Plan Year Page # In addition to presenting specific recommendations, the commission also emphasized the importance of reporting by advocating for a more strategic and collaborative approach to the budget recommendation process, in keeping with its advisory responsibility. The commission’s approved budget recommendations were as follows: Recommendation 20240916-006 Subject: Budget Reporting Recommendation 20250303-014: Translation and Interpretation Services for Boards and Commissions Recommendation Number: 20250329-007: Family Stabilization Program as a Mechanism for Promoting Housing Stability Recommendation Number: 20250329-008: Reallocation of Quality-of-Life Study Funds to the FY 2025–2026 Budget Recommendation Number: 20250329-006: Providing Funding for Printing and Distribution of 'Know Your Rights' Red Cards at Austin Public Libraries Recommendation Number: 20250329-005: Providing Resources for Immigrant Students Recommendation Number: 20250329-004: Budget Expand Equity and Inclusion Trainings. Recommendation Number: 20250329-002: Expand the Equity Mini Grant Funds to $600,000 in support of Immigrant Inclusion, Solidarity with Unhoused People Recommendation Number: 20250329-001: Development of the Immigrant Affairs Office Recommendation Number: 20250602-010: Commission on Immigrant Affairs' Quality of Life Study. The commission approved Recommendation Number: 20250602-011: Opposing the Use of Automated License Plate Readers Due to Their Impact on Immigrant Communities, urging the City to oppose the deployment and expansion of ALPR systems that may endanger the safety and dignity of immigrant communities. The Commission on Immigrant Affairs proposed amendments to its bylaws in response to ongoing challenges in achieving quorum and fostering meaningful community engagement. In the Chair’s formal statement submitted to the Audit and Finance Committee, it was noted that the commission has explored initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. One such initiative involved evaluating the potential benefits of amending the Commission’s bylaws. The commission recognized that incorporating community stakeholder seats could provide a greater flexibility in meeting quorum requirements while also enhancing engagement and representation. It was acknowledged that the current composition of 12 seats is insufficient to adequately represent the diversity of Austin’s immigrant population. While the commission acknowledged that the proposed bylaw amendments could increase the quorum requirement to eight members, there was a consensus to proceed with the submission. In response to concerns and opposition raised by the City Clerk, Annual Review and Work Plan Year Page # Council Member Alter proposed the addition of three non-voting community stakeholder seats, which would not affect the quorum requirements. In light of this, the commission voted to table the item for further discussion and potential approval at its July meeting. To help achieve quorum, the Chair, Vice Chairs, and Staff Liaison sent multiple reminders ahead of meetings, assessed quorum status in advance, and reached out to council members to seek replacements for commissioners who had violated attendance policies and were no longer responsive. The Chair and Vice Chair also took on the task of recruiting suitable community members to help facilitate the process. However, the appointment process is lengthy. The steps to be appointed by a City Council member, followed by the necessary procedures through the Office of the City Clerk, including training, take a significant amount of time before a seat is filled and a commissioner can serve. Thankfully, efforts yielded success. Most council members have responded promptly with nominations and appointments, allowing the commission to finally reach quorum. Despite numerous challenges, the commission has remained steadfast in fulfilling its mission. One of its most significant achievements, the Quality of Life Study for Immigrant, Refugee, and other foreign born members, a landmark initiative aimed at better understanding the experiences, challenges, and systemic inequities faced by foreign-born residents. This study is not merely a data-gathering exercise; it is a human right effort, a commitment to collect meaningful, current information that will guide the policies promoting equity, safety, and wellbeing for all. It seeks to identify where programs are succeeding, where they are falling short, and how services can become more inclusive and equitable. Ultimately, this project represents more than a study. It is a declaration of values. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the structural harms immigrant communities continue to endure, to amplify their solutions, and to reaffirm Austin’s duty to uphold the dignity, safety, and rights of all who call this city home. Procedurally the work is still underway, we’re trying to be robust process to make sure there is compliance a plan for Data Security & anonymity. The Commission on Immigrant Affairs finally successfully advocated for the City to establish a standardized process across all departments for providing translation and interpretation services to commissioners. In collaboration with Council Members, The Communications Technology and Management Department, in the coordination of the City Clerk, agreed to develop and implement a standardized process. Additionally, the commission received information from APD regarding the denial of U- Visa certifications based on the statute of limitations (SOL). The Commission established Annual Review and Work Plan Year Page # a working group to investigate and address these concerns, particularly considering the potential legal and community implications. The following update regarding the U visa from APD has been approved for sharing: The Austin Police Department (APD) remains firmly committed to ensuring that all victims of crime are treated with compassion, respect, and fairness throughout the criminal justice process. We recognize the vital role that victims play in supporting investigations and prosecutions, and we are dedicated to upholding their rights and protections under the law. To that end, we are actively reviewing and revising our policies and procedures to ensure they align with the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is important to note that federal regulations do not set a specific statute of limitations describing when a victim must be helpful to law enforcement in order to obtain a U Visa. One of the key considerations is the victim's willingness and actual cooperation, not the timing of that cooperation. Through ongoing policy refinement and training, we are reinforcing our commitment to victim-centered practices that support justice, accountability, and community trust while ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of crime victims. 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. (If any of the board’s actions were outside the scope of the mission statement, the report should explain the non-compliance issues.) The actions of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs comply with its mission statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. (Make sure the goals and objectives fall within the mission statement of the board/commission.) In the context of increasingly volatile federal and state policies, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs will continue to closely monitor requirements of federal, state, and local immigration laws and policies, public welfare, and others areas affecting immigrant communities. The commission will provide recommendations to City Council aimed at maximizing the benefits available to local immigrants while minimizing the adverse effects laws and policies may have on them.