Item 1: Draft Minutes for 2.02.26 — original pdf

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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 Withdrawn. 6.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