Special Meeting of the Commission of Immigrant Affairs Monday, August 3, 2020 Commission on Immigrant Affairs to be held August 3, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, August 2, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 3, 2020 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-401-7801 or connie.gonzales@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to connie.gonzales@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live COMMISSION ON Immigrant Affairs Monday, August 3, 2020 1:00PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Rennison Lalgee Banafsheh Madaninejad Nicole Merritt Glen Rosales CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Karen Crawford, Chair Adrian De La Rosa Krystal Gomez, Vice Chair Montserrat Garibay Sam Adair Juan Vences- Benitez Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 6, 2020 A. Zach Baumer and Celine Rendon, Office of Sustainability - Presentation on Austin Community Climate Plan 2020 Revision B. Rocio Villalobos, City of Austin Equity Office – discussion on the recommendations for use of municipal ID feasibility study funding, update about Welcoming America and the Welcoming Cities Week. 3. OLD BUSINESS funding A. Update on budget process – discussion of possible recommendation regarding police FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are …
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFAIRS Recommendation Number: 20200803-003A Regarding: Austin Police Department budget WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs over the years has listened to reports from the community and from public and nonprofit agencies regarding the needs of the immigrant community; WHEREAS, the needs of the immigrant community are often unmet due to budgetary restrictions; WHEREAS, while our Commission has been able to make recommendations regarding the budget, and while we have been asked to look at equities and efficiencies within most departments, we have not been able to look the Austin Police Department’s budget with an eye to equities and efficiencies; WHEREAS, one of the concerns of this Commission has been community trust with the Austin Police Department; WHEREAS, commissions, community leaders and the public are calling for public safety reform and changes in the Austin Police Department leadership and budget in response to local and nationwide police violence; WHEREAS, the community has expressed concerns to us about over policing in areas of Austin where immigrants reside; WHEREAS, we have heard from the community in community budget forums concerns that the Austin Police Department Budget is out of proportion to other department budgets and concerns that APD funds could be put to better use; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Boards and Commissions receive full information about the Austin Police Department’s budget and be able to make recommendations about it; That in discussing the Austin Police Department’s budget, Council take into account the need for community liaisons with the Austin Police Department, such as the Immigrant Community Liaison, and look into potentially expanding that program to further reach out to the Immigrant Community; That in discussing the Austin Police Department’s budget, Council take into account the need for Victim Services, and take into account whether there are sufficient bilingual or multilingual officers and whether such officers are culturally competent; That in discussing the Austin Police Department’s budget, Council ensures that Austin Police Department has officers on the ground who are bilingual and has officers on the ground who are culturally competent. COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFAIRS Recommendation Number: 20200803-003A Regarding: Austin Police Department budget PASSED by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on August 3, 2020. Unanimously approved by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on an 8-0 vote with and Banafsheh Madaninejad, Nicole Merritt, Kate Goldfinch, and Juan Vences-Benitez absent. Attest: Staff Liaison
Special Meeting of the Commission of Immigrant Affairs Monday, July 06, 2020 Commission on Immigrant Affairs to be held July 06, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Friday, July 3, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 06, 2020 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-401-7801 or connie.gonzales@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to connie.gonzales@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular COMMISSION ON Immigrant Affairs Monday, July 6, 2020 1:00PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Rennison Lalgee Banafsheh Madaninejad Nicole Merritt Glen Rosales CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Karen Crawford, Chair Adrian De La Rosa Krystal Gomez, Vice Chair Montserrat Garibay Sam Adair Juan Vences- Benitez Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 4, 2020 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Update on budget process B. Joint Inclusion Committee A. Stephanie Trevino, Public Health Educator II, Austin Public Health – Presentation on COVID-19 response in the immigrant community FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call …
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANTS AFFAIRS Monday, July 6, 2020 1:00 p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Approved Meeting Minutes Adrian De La Rosa Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Glenn Rosales Rennison Lalgee Nicole Merritt Montserrat Garibay Banafsheh Madaninejad Board Members in Attendance: Karen Crawford, Chair Krystal Gomez, Vice-Chair Juan Vences-Benitez Board Members not in Attendance: Samuel Adair Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Staff in Attendance: Connie H. Gonzales, Staff Liaison/APH Darrell Barnett, Manager/APH CALL TO ORDER at 1:05 p.m. 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 2020 Nicole moved to approve the minutes with amendments Approved on 7-0 vote with Sam, Banafsheh, Montserrat, Krystal, and Kate not present. Joseph seconded the motion 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Stephanie Trevino, Public Health Educator II of Austin Public Health – Presentation on COVID-19 response in the immigrant community. (written report forthcoming) Nicole moved to form a working group: Juan and Karen Krystal seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Sam, Banafsheh, Montserrat, and Kate not present. 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Update on budget process Budget will be released on July 13th Agencies that offer funding for mental health services are listed in the budget In reference to the CoIA recommendations: additional funding needed B. Joint Inclusion Committee We will be supporting other commissions and their recommendations Budget working group to work on a recommendation for APD FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – N/A ADJOURNMENT Krystal moved to adjourn meeting at 1:29 p.m. Approved on 8-0 vote with Sam, Banafsheh, Montserrat and Kate not present. Joseph seconded the motion The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please contact Stephanie Hayden at the Austin Public Health at (512) 972-5017 or email: stephanie.hayden@austintexas.gov, for additional information. TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Commission of Immigrant Affairs Monday, May 4, 2020 Commission on Immigrant Affairs meeting to be held May 4, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, May 3, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the May 4, 2020 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-401-7801 or connie.gonzales@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (Sunday, May 3, 2020). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to connie.gonzales@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Monday, May 04, 2020 10am VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Karen Crawford, Chair Juan Vences- Benitez Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Banafsheh Madaninejad Krystal Gomez, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Nicole Merritt . Sam Adair Montserrat Garibay Rennison Lalgee Glen Rosales AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 2020 a) Board elections b) Introducing Rocio Villalobos of Immigrant Affairs Office c) Discussion and possible vote on budget request for a quality of life study of the immigrant community, presented by Rocio Villalobos 3. OLD BUSINESS a) Bi-Lingual Summer Camp Recommendation FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20200504-2c: Quality of Life Study of Immigrant Communities WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs passed a recommendation, subsequently adopted by City Council on March 20, 2014, declaring Austin a Welcoming City, WHEREAS, in 2018, Council directed the City Manager to “make a recommendation to City Council to determine how the City can most effectively coordinate and support policy and efforts related to the immigrant community,” WHEREAS, in August 2019, the City Manager published “Serving Austin’s Immigrant Community Report,” which included among its recommendations that the city “develop a strategy for providing services to immigrant communities,” WHEREAS, COVID-19 has highlighted existing disparities that negatively impact the immigrant communities in Austin. Immigrants, documented and undocumented, are facing difficulties in accessing resources and information, particularly during this time of heightened fear and uncertainty. The needs of the immigrant communities vary, in part, according to the way they arrived to the U.S. For example, while some qualify for support through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, including financial assistance and English language classes, others do not. Their needs also vary based on their levels of literacy and existing English language proficiency, all of which affect their ability to navigate systems and advocate for themselves. At this time, we have incomplete information about our immigrant communities, which affects our ability to support and serve them, WHEREAS, Austin/Travis County needs up-to-date and accurate information about our immigrant communities, with data collection methods and analysis that are anti-racist and equity based, will not put this community at risk for deportation, detention, harassment, or abuse, ensuring that our outreach and engagement efforts are culturally relevant and tailored to our various immigrant communities in order to provide resources and information that resonate and are effective. WHEREAS, difficulties that our immigrant communities face in accessing resources because we lack the relationships and adequate channels of communication to reach them can result in an inability to provide them with the resources they need, and inefficiencies in our service provision WHEREAS, the results of a Quality of Life study answer questions about the immigrant communities and will subsequently influence our policy recommendations to Austin City Council as well as our current outreach and engagement efforts. This research will guide our initiatives and bring our immigrant communities into the planning and implementation of future initiative, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20200504-3a: Creation of Summer Camps in Spanish or Dual Language Summer Camps WHEREAS, 22% of Austinites speak primarily Spanish at home1, and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to “making reasonable efforts to ensure that City services and information about those services are provided in a manner that is accessible, relevant, and timely to residents” even if those residents are limited in their English proficiency (LEP).2, and WHEREAS, on November 3, 2016, the City of Austin passed Resolution No. 20161103-052 directing the City Manager to develop “Language Access Procedures” for each City Department that interacts with the public. The procedures were to specify steps for staff to follow to, among other things, deliver services to LEP individuals and ensure effective services are provided, and3 WHEREAS, 26% of the 81,000 students enrolled in the Austin Independent School District are English learners4, and WHEREAS, 88% of those English Learners speak Spanish as their primary home language5, and WHEREAS, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) offers a wide variety of summer camps for children in Austin at affordable rates, and WHEREAS, the stated goal of the PARD’s summer program is to “provide children with exciting experiences through structured recreation in a safe and welcoming environment”6, and 1U.S. Census Data from 2008 available at: https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=language%20austin%20tx&g=1600000US4805000&hide Preview=false&tid=ACSST1Y2018.S1601&vintage=2018&layer=VT_2018_160_00_PY_D1&c id=S1601_C01_001E 2 See the City of Austin’s Language Access Plan p.3 available at: https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airport/Travel_Security/Language_Acces s_Plan.pdf 3 Resolution No. 20161103-52 available at: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=267426 4 https://www.austinisd.org/multilingual 5 Data provided to the Commission by Dr. David Kauffman, Executive Director of Multilingual Education at A.I.S.D. 6 https://austintexas.gov/department/summer-camp-recreation-centers BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20200504-3a: Creation of Summer Camps in Spanish or Dual Language Summer Camps WHEREAS, the PARD currently offers their summer camp information, website and enrollment materials in languages other than English, but conducts all its over 500 camps in only English, and WHEREAS, English-only summer camps are not welcoming environments for children who speak another language at home, and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Commission on Immigrant Affairs received testimony and feedback from the Austin community regarding the need for City summer programming in Spanish, and WHEREAS, the Austin Independent School District offers Dual Language programs for elementary and secondary students in which the goals of the program are rigorous cognitive and academic development, academic proficiency in two languages, and cross-cultural development, and WHEREAS, there are …
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANTS AFFAIRS Monday, May 4, 2020 10:00 AM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Approved Meeting Minutes Montserrat Garibay Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Glenn Rosales Board Members in Attendance: Karen Crawford, Chair Krystal Gomez, Vice-Chair Samuel Adair Adrian De La Rosa Board Members not in Attendance: Rennison Lalgee Banafsheh Madaninejad Staff in Attendance: Connie H. Gonzales, Staff Liaison/APH Darrell Barnett, Manager/APH Nicole Merritt Juan Vences-Benitez CALL TO ORDER at 10:04 am 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 2020 Krystal moved to suspend Robert’s Rule of Order Kate seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Nicole, Banafsheh, Juan and Rennison not present. Kate moved to approve the minutes with amendments Sam seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Nicole, Banafsheh, Juan and Rennison not present. 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: a) Board elections Montserrat moved to elect Karen for chair Krystal seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Nicole, Banafsheh, Juan and Rennison not present. Karen moved to elect Krystal as vice chair Sam seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Nicole, Banafsheh, Juan and Rennison not present. b) Introducing Rocio Villalobos of Immigrant Affairs Office c) Discussion and possible vote on budget request for a quality of life study of the immigrant community, presented by Rocio Villalobos Krystal moved to approve the recommendation to fund the Quality of Life Study of Immigrants Sam seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Nicole, Banafsheh, Juan and Rennison not present. Sam moved to approve the Quality of Life Study of Immigrants budget proposal Krystal seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Nicole, Banafsheh, Juan and Rennison not present. 3. OLD BUSINESS a) Bi-Lingual Summer Camp Recommendation Kate moved to approve recommendation for summer camp with amendments Montserrat seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Nicole, Banafsheh, Juan and Rennison not present. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - None ADJOURNMENT Krystal moved to adjourn meeting at 10:29 am Kate seconded the motion Approved on 8-0 vote with Nicole, Banafsheh, Juan and Rennison not present. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or …
Special Meeting of the Commission of Immigrant Affairs Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Commission on Immigrant Affairs to be held April 22, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, April 21,2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 22, 2020 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-401-7801 or connie.gonzales@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to connie.gonzales@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. COMMISSION ON Immigrant Affairs Wednesday, April 22, 2020 1:30PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Sam Adair Montserrat Garibay Rennison Lalgee CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Karen Crawford, Chair Juan Vences- Benitez Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Banafsheh Madaninejad Krystal Gomez, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Glen Rosales . AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. March 2, 2020 2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. FY 2021 Budget Recommendations FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Connie Gonzales at Austin Public Health Department, at (512-401-7801), for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, please contact Connie Gonzales at (512-401-7801).
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Recommendation Number: 2020422-002A1 Regarding: Mental Health Services for the Immigrant Community WHEREAS, the community has presented concerns that mental health needs of the immigrant community are not being met, and that services are not culturally appropriate and may not be provided in needed languages WHEREAS, immigrant communities might not reach out for mental health services for a multitude of reasons, including experiences in their countries of origin and that treatment models might need to be different for different communities NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs is supporting the proposals of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission regarding mental health services, and of the Asian American Qualify of Life Commission, except we do not support taking funding from the Community Health Worker program. In addition to the organizations mentioned by those two commissions, we are aware that the City funds Catholic Charities to provide sliding scale mental health services to the immigrant community, and we support those efforts and would like to seek additional funding for them. PASSED by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on April 22, 2020. Unanimously approved by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on an 10-0 vote with Glenn Rosales and Banafsheh Madaninejad absent. Attest: Staff Liaison
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Recommendation Number: 20200422-002A2 Regarding: Development of Immigrant Affairs Office WHEREAS, we heard from the community an appreciation that the Immigrant Affairs position was created, and a recognition that one person cannot handle all of the work that will be required WHEREAS, an immigrant affairs office would address the needs of the immigrant community in Austin are met WHEREAS, Austin has a large and diverse immigrant community, with varying needs and varying degrees of involvement in city government. Those most impacted are largely unseen, whether because of language barriers, cultural concerns, or concerns related to immigration status. This office will be able to reach out to the community so that their voices can be heard. WHEREAS, the City of Austin funded one full time position within the Equity Office to work in immigrant affairs WHEREAS, there is a large, diverse immigrant community in Austin, and our commission’s hope is that the immigrant affairs office can go out into the community to learn their concerns, see where there are gaps in services, and assess the City’s ability to address their concerns NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs is making this recommendation so that our commission’s concerns about this can be recorded. The immigrant affairs coordinator just started in her position and will need time to begin her assessment of community needs as well as availability of private funding for adding additional staff and resources. However, it is important to note our concerns that one person cannot take on everything that will be required of this office, and the Commission on Immigrant Affairs would like this to be developed into a full office. PASSED by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on April 22, 2020. Unanimously approved by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on an 10-0 vote with Glenn Rosales and Banafsheh Madaninejad absent. Attest: Staff Liaison
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Recommendation Number: 2020422-002A3 Regarding: Increase in Legal Services Funding WHEREAS, we heard that from the community that legal services funding is crucial, and that there is still unmet need WHEREAS, there are immigrants who need access to counsel, and cannot afford attorneys. This is especially so for immigrants facing removal proceedings. WHEREAS, in a time of increased enforcement, more people are at risk of being placed in removal proceedings. In a time of increasingly restrictive immigration policy, people have more need of legal representation, as it’s become very complicated, and the risks of completing applications incorrectly are extremely high. Those most impacted are low income immigrants. WHEREAS, the City of Austin already funds legal services for low income immigrants who are Austin residents WHEREAS, there is a need for increased funding. Immigrants often work in the service industry and are being hard hit by the COVID-19 situation. To compound that, if they do not have work authorization, they are not eligible for unemployment, and if at least one person in the family does not have a social security number, the family is not eligible for the stimulus payment. This leaves immigrant families in a significantly worse situation than other Austin families at this time. Meanwhile, immigration rules continue to get more restrictive, so the need for legal representation increases. In fact, the President just tweeted that he would suspend all immigration, which puts immigrant families in Austin in dire need of representation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends that we add funding. With an additional $130,000, Catholic Charities can hire an attorney to represent people in removal proceedings pro bono. With an additional $100,000, American Gateways can continue to represent families already benefiting from city funds, and also double the number of new cases they can take. PASSED by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on April 22, 2020. Unanimously approved by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs on an 10-0 vote with Glenn Rosales and Banafsheh Madaninejad absent. Attest: Staff Liaison
Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Juan Vences-Benitez COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANTS AFFAIRS Wednesday, April 22, 2020 1:30PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Approved Meeting Minutes Board Members in Attendance: Karen Crawford, Chair Krystal Gomez, Vice-Chair Samuel Adair Adrian De La Rosa Board Members not in Attendance: Banafsheh Madaninejad Rennison Lalgee Montserrat Garibay Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Nicole Merritt Glenn Rosales Staff in Attendance: Connie H. Gonzales, Staff Liaison/APH Darrell Barnett, Manager/APH CALL TO ORDER at 1:35 pm 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 2020 Sam moved to approve the minutes with amendments Nicole seconded the motion Approved on 9-0 vote with Banafsheh, Glenn and Adrian not present. 2. OLD BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Budget recommendations Mental Health Services for Immigrants: expand services to immigrants by requesting an increase in funding for Catholic Charities. (See recommendation No. 20200422-002A1) Immigrant Affairs Office: Expansion of the Immigrant affairs Office (See Recommendation No. 20200422-002A2) Legal Services Funding: expand services for immigrants by requesting an increase in funding for Catholic Charities. (See Recommendation No. 20200422-002A3) Nicole moved to create a resolution for PARD to establish a dual-language summer camp and CoIA board will provide guidance on procedures Adrian seconded the motion Approved on a 10-0 vote with Banafsheh and Glenn not present. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Board elections Bi-Lingual Summer Camp Resolution Introduce Rocio Villalobos of Immigrant Affairs Office. ADJOURNMENT Rennison moved to adjourn meeting at 1:30pm Sam seconded the motion Approved on 10-0 vote with Banafsheh and Glenn not present. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please contact Stephanie Hayden at the Austin Public Health at (512) 972-5017 or email: stephanie.hayden@austintexas.gov, for additional information. TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Monthly Meeting March 2, 2020 6:30 PM City Hall, Staff Bullpen #1029 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Agenda CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: presentation about services rendered and program needs 3. OLD BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: on budget proposals B. Update on Equity Office projects C. Discussion of N-648/Community Care issue 4. STANDING ITEMS: Discussion and Possible Action A. American Gateways, Rebecca Lightsey and Catholic Charities of Central Texas, Justin Estep A. Budget items - update on budget forums on February 13 and February 22 and discussion and vote A. Cities United for Action B. Joint Inclusion Committee 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS 6. TASKS FOR NEXT MEETING 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please contact Stephanie Hayden at the Austin Public Health at (512) 972-5017 or email: stephanie.hayden@austintexas.gov, for additional information. TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Monthly Meeting March 2, 2020 6:30 PM City Hall, Staff Bullpen #1029 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Approved Meeting Minutes Rennison Lalgee Glenn Rosales Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Juan Vences-Benitez Board Members in Attendance: Karen Crawford, Chair Krystal Gomez, Vice-Chair Samuel Adair Adrian De La Rosa Board Members not in Attendance: Montserrat Garibay Nicole Merritt Staff in Attendance: Connie H. Gonzales, Staff Liaison/APH CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Krystal moved to suspend Robert’s Rule of Order Rennison seconded the motion 9-0 vote with Montserrat and Nicole not present 1. Rebecca Sanchez of Grassroots Leadership said their concern with the municipal ID is how much information will be released to Austin Police Department and what happens to the information. Who would have access to it? 2. Deborah Trejo shared concerns about lack of faithful implementation of and racism in bilingual education in Austin Independent School District (AISD), lack of bilingual programming in MACC or other camps; request that we form an education committee or have an appointee from AISD. 3. Lauren Hargraves of Central Texas Office for Refugees extended an invitation to commissioners to Refugee Roundtable, Austin Quarterly Consultation, Welcoming Week. Advised that the underserved population flyer has been distributed regarding asylee benefits. 4. Ivanna Neri of Austin Family Independence Initiative (FII) noted recommendation at budget forum, invitation to event on Thursday from 12p-4pm CALL TO ORDER at 6:34pm 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 2020 Glenn moved to approve the minutes with amendments Krystal seconded the motion Approved on 9-0 vote with Montserrat and Nicole not present. 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. American Gateways, Rebecca Lightsey and Catholic Charities of Central Texas, Justin Estep presentation about services rendered and program needs. Need to maintain the cases they started under prior year grants due to government delays, so if there’s no increase in funding, they would only be able to accept 1-2 new cases per week. With an increase in funding of $100,000 they can double the amount of new cases. Catholic Charities used the $70,000 in legal services funding from the city for an FTE immigration attorney and hope to get an additional $130,000 for a full-time attorney to handle removal proceedings for free. They also receive funding for mental health counseling. 3. OLD BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Budget items …
Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Monthly Meeting February 3, 2020 6:30 PM City Hall, Staff Bullpen #1029 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Agenda CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 2019 3. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Refugee Health Screening Services update: Saeed Azadi, Public Health Division Manager, Communicable Diseases, Holly Eades, Refugee Clinic Manager B. September 2020 Meeting C. Dreamer’s Awareness Day and Proclamation 4. OLD BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Budget items - update on planning of budget forums on February 13 and February 22 B. Update on Equity Office projects C. Discussion of N-648/Community Care issue 5. STANDING ITEMS: Discussion and Possible Action A. Cities United for Action B. Review of any updated APD statistics on U visas or ICE cooperation 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS 7. TASKS FOR NEXT MEETING 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 9. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please contact Stephanie Hayden at the Austin Public Health at (512) 972-5017 or email: stephanie.hayden@austintexas.gov, for additional information. TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
