Item 1: March 2, 2026 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Dorantes called the meeting to order at 6:36pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Miriam Dorantes, Chair Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Alondra Johnson, Vice-Chair Adrian De La Rosa Aditi Joshi Canan Kaba Diane Kanawati Melissa Ortega Caroline Solis Yohana Saucedo Commissioners Absent: Azeem Edwin Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Meghna Roy PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting on February 2, 2026. The minutes from the February 2, 2026 regular meeting of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs were approved during the regular meeting of March 2, 2026 on Commissioner Solis’ motion, Vice Chair Johnson’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Kanawati was off dais. Commissioners Edwin, Lincoln-Goldfinch, and Roy were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update from the Quality-of-Life Study Working Group regarding progress with the Institutional Review Board, data collectors, and study practices. The update was given by Commissioner Kanawati. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a Recommendation to Council to expand and strengthen eviction prevention programs to protect housing stability. Chair Dorantes and Commissioner Saucedo have elected to work on amendments for this recommendation. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Approve a Recommendation to Council to establish a dedicated funding framework for a universal immigration representation model. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. Approve a Recommendation to Council to prioritize filling the Immigrant Affairs Manager position to strengthen city coordination and leadership. Commissioners Kanawati and Ortega elected to work on amendments for this recommendation. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. Approve a Recommendation to Council to fund comprehensive equity and inclusion trainings across city departments. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. Approve a Recommendation to Council to re-instate and fund the Family Stabilization Grant. Commissioner Joshi has elected to work on amendments for this recommendation. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. Approve a Recommendation to Council to maintain and increase funding support for American Gateway’s Immigrant Legal Services to ensure ongoing community access to representation. Commissioners De La Rosa and Saucedo have elected to work on amendments to this recommendation. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. 9. Approve a statement of concern regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 2 This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Approve budget recommendations for FY 27 Budget. Approve a draft statement about board concerns for Immigration and Custom Enforcement. Invite the current interim Immigrant Affairs Manager to the briefing in April. Invite APD to the April meeting to discuss what their current policy is as it relates to ICE. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm on Vice Chair Johnson’s motion, Commissioner Joshi’s second with no objection. 3