RECOMMENDATION 20220322-003a: EXPAND FUNDING FOR IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES — original pdf

Recommendation

HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅱ EXPAND FUNDING FOR IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES Strategic Direction: Safety Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Vigil Seconded by: Garay Increase Austin Public Health’s funding for pro bono and low bono immigration legal services. Recommendation to Council: Background and Rationale: We continue to hear from the community concerns regarding underfunding of immigration legal services. Only a small number of individuals are served with the current funding. There are very few organizations in Austin that have the ability to provide legal services to our immigrant communities pro bono. One of the service providers is American Gateways. They are currently only able to meet 25% of the need. The need for legal services continues to expand due to the complicated immigration legal system. For: Afifi, Vigil, Solis, Garay, Ramirez, Perales, Silva Vote: Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Peña, Garcia Attest: _________________________________ Amanda Afifi, Chair American Gateways presentation to the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission - https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=377126