Recommendation 20250804-009: Supporting Focused Staffing for Immigrant Affairs — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20250804-009: Recommendation Supporting Focused Staffing for Immigrant Affairs WHEREAS, we commend the establishment of the Human Rights Officer Division and the appointment of a dedicated officer overseeing Immigrant Affairs, Veteran Affairs, and ADA, all under the Office of Equity and Inclusion; and WHEREAS, it is important to acknowledge that the current scope of work for Austin remains too vast for a sole Immigrant Affairs Program Manager to focus on all the aspects of Immigrant Affairs; and WHEREAS, in Austin, more than 18% of the population are foreign-born1; and WHEREAS, Austin’s immigrant population comes from over 120 different countries2; and WHEREAS, according to City data at iSpeak Austin, more than 85 languages are spoken throughout the City, 31% of Austinites speak a language other than English at home and 11.4% of Austinites speak English “less than very well”3; and WHEREAS, the recommendation to establish an office with staff exclusively dedicated to immigrant Affairs, is supported by multiple reports, including “Advancing Immigrant Incorporation in Austin, TX.”4 by the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, which found that an Immigrant Affairs Office is necessary and recommended its creation; and WHEREAS, presently, the Human Rights Officer is tasked with balancing multiple duties, which at times overlap and, at other times, diverge from immigrant affairs; and WHEREAS, there is only one position that is entirely focused on Immigrant Affairs, with the individual in this role being uniquely and solely able to be the best advisor on this account; and 1 https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/austincitytexas 2 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=430901 3 https://www.austintexas.gov/iSpeakAustin 4 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=367457 WHEREAS, the current Immigrant Affairs Program Manager has served in this role for the past five years, during which they have built strong partnerships and collaborated with numerous nonprofit organizations as well as community members within the immigrant community; and WHEREAS, the Immigrant Affairs Program Manager has been providing monthly briefings to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs regarding their efforts within the immigrant community and should continue to do so; and WHEREAS, given the complexities of the current political climate, it is essential that the Immigrant Affairs Program Manager receive additional, focused support dedicated entirely to their role and responsibilities; and WHEREAS, we strongly believe that the Immigrant Affairs Program Manager should be present at every meeting related to immigrant affairs, alongside the Human Rights Officer, to ensure comprehensive and focused advocacy for immigrant communities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs formally recommends that the Immigrant Affairs Program Manager attend all advisory meetings related to immigrant affairs. The Immigrant Affairs Program Manager should provide guidance on decisions affecting immigrant communities and be included in all operational decision-making processes related to these matters. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, while the Human Rights Officer has been engaged, there remains a need for additional program managers and dedicated staff who will directly engage with the community and implement initiatives on the ground—responsibilities that are typically not undertaken by executives. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Human Rights Officer and the Immigrant Affairs Program Manager are expected to operate as a unified unit, ensuring better coordination of services and support for immigrant communities in the meantime. This approach will better serve those who are vulnerable to discrimination, marginalization, hate crimes, and persecution. Date of Approval: Monday, August 4, 2025 Record of the vote: 7-0 Motion: Commissioner Johnson Second: Vice Chair Dorantes For : Chair Ortega, Vice-Chair Dorantes, Commissioners De La Rosa, Kanawati, Johnson, Roy and Saucedo Against : None Absent: Commissioners Edwin, Joshi, Kaba, and Lincoln-Goldfinch Attest: Nekaybaw Watson Nekaybaw Watson