Item 8: 20260302_008_Maintain Funding to Support American Gateways’ Immigrant Legal Services DRAFT — original pdf

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. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260302-008: Maintain Funding to Support American Gateways’ Immigrant Legal Services WHEREAS, Austin, like the rest of the United States, has seen increased immigration enforcement in the community. Our neighbors are being detained at record levels, and the federal government has cut funding that previously supported pro se immigration legal assistance. Noncitizens are being detained at routine immigration court hearings and US Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews at never-before seen levels. WHEREAS, In South Central Texas, ICE arrested nearly 12,000 people during the first nine months of the Trump Administration—nearly double from the previous year. This includes all of ICE San Antonio field office’s jurisdiction (Austin and others) but is illustrative of the overall effect of the increased enforcement policies. WHEREAS, One in three children in Austin has at least one immigrant parent. Eighty-seven percent of those children are United States citizens. Therefore, the risk of permanent family separation is high. WHEREAS, Further, immigrant-led households in Austin earned $234.3 billion in 2023 and contributed $19.3 billion in combined state and local taxes. The financial impact of these policies are detrimental to the City of Austin. WHEREAS, The decrease in federal funding has resulted in immigration legal services budgets to be slashed or fully cut. This has resulted in layoffs at local immigration nonprofits and attorneys withdrawing their representation. Noncitizens are struggling to find legal assistance and are often turning to notarios who are engaging in unlicensed practice of law, damaging people’s chances of being granted immigration status. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends maintaining the current funding for American Gateways’ Immigration Legal Services. Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Seconded By: . Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________