|
|
|
April Immigrant Affairs Update |
|
|---|
|
Citizenship Clinic Information Sessions
The City of Austin's Equity Office and our partners are hosting two more information sessions before the Citizenship Clinic on April 22! Please note that you must attend an information session prior to attending the citizenship clinic. Learn more here.
If you have any questions or need any accommodations, please contact Rocío Villalobos via email (rocio.villalobos@austintexas.gov) or phone (512-974-7972). |
|
|---|
|
|
GirlForward Now Recruiting Mentors
Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are open until April 24. Help us spread the word to as many amazing women as possible! Learn more and apply here. |
|
|---|
|
|
Co-op Food Project for Refugees
GAVA (Go Austin Vamos Austin) is launching a co-op food project for refugees. There is a potential for 5 community leaders to get involved and receive stipends for their time and participation in this project. If you know someone who would be interested, please contact Safaa Al Mahamid at sofimahamid@gmail.com
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
- Among many other things, Texas House Bill 20 (HB20) will allow the creation of a Border Security Unit, it will deputize civilians to become border vigilantes, and it will severely increase the criminal penalties of individuals who are crossing the border without inspection.
- Texas House Bill 7 (HB7) will create a separate court system for all of the arrests in HB20 to be processed, build long-term jail and criminal court infrastructure, and fund millions of dollars to local counties who commit to having border security educational and career initiatives. HB 20 and HB7 would work together to codify Operation Lone Star into state law.
- Texas Department of Public Safety troopers have begun patrolling the streets of Austin soon following an agreement brokered by Mayor Kirk Watson, Interim City Manager Jesús Garza, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
- Florida governor Ron DeSantis recently proposed a new bill that would make it a felony to have an undocumented immigrant in your home or car, among other things.
- USCIS has issued new policy guidance to allow for entrepreneurs who have a central and active role in a U.S. based start-up and who meet certain criteria to be able to work in the U.S. without having to obtain an employment authorization document.
- USCIS has opened a virtual service center to process requests for humanitarian immigration relief, including visas for victims of domestic violence and crimes, in an effort to reduce backlogs and improve processing times. The new center is USCIS' sixth service center and its first all-virtual one.
- USCIS announced a policy update wherein immigrant visa applicants will now be permitted to specify their own gender identity on forms, even if it does not match the gender identity shown in their supporting documents.
- Canada and the United States have announced an agreement that expands their authority to expel asylum seekers who cross the nations’ shared border at unofficial points of entry, raising concerns about human rights violations. Migrants would be turned away without considering their petitions for sanctuary.
- Five people have been arrested for alleged roles in the deaths of 39 people after a fire at a Mexican migrant detention center last week. Victims appeared to be left in their cells as the area filled with smoke.
|
|
|---|
|
Thursday, April 13 @ 5pm CST
FL Immigration: Immigrants Under Attack
This informational session and roundtable serves to educate the community at large about a proposed harmful policy, SB1712, that if passed would affect every person interacting with immigrants. Florida healthcare providers, business owners, faith leaders, and educators could be penalized for welcoming our different immigrant communities.
As the 4th largest immigrant populated state, Florida has been traditionally known for its welcoming and diverse culture, but this policy could have serious safety, economic and medical ramifications. Join We Are All America, WeaveTales, Florida Immigrant Coalition, and North East Florida Immigrant Resource Alliance to hear more about the proposed policies, and how they can affect you. Register here. |
|
|---|
|
|
 |
Wednesday, April 19 @ 1pm CST
Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up (District 4)
Little Walnut Creek Branch Library - 835 W. Rundberg Lane
The City of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) will host monthly Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up events in each of Austin’s City Council Districts throughout 2023. These events are designed to help equip Austinites with the information, tools and resources needed in emergency situations. Community members are invited to attend these three-hour open house style events.
At these events, Austinites will learn more about geographical risks in their area and how to prepare for them, and the four steps to preparedness: make a plan, build a kit, know your neighbors, and stay informed. The first 50 guests will receive a basic emergency preparedness supply kit while supplies last, limit one per person / household.
Interpretation services will be available in Spanish and ASL at each event. The public can request additional language interpreters by calling 3-1-1 at least five days before the event you wish to attend. View the full schedule here.
|
|
|---|
|
|
Thursday, April 20 @ 2:30pm CST
How to Support Refugee, Immigrant and Migrant Communities Before and After the End of the Public Health Emergency
On May 11, 2023, the public health emergency (PHE) will expire and many will see changes in COVID-19 healthcare costs, insurance coverage and renewals, and food benefits. These changes are likely to disproportionately impact some refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. Join this webinar where panelists from the Migrant Clinicians Network and the International Rescue Committee discuss how the end of the PHE is likely to impact RIM communities and steps to take before May 11 to support RIM community members. Register here. |
|
|---|
|
|
Thursday, April 20 @ 6pm CST
Power-Mapping: Politics of Oppression & Legislative Process
The purpose of this workshop is to engage, train and equip local refugee and immigrant leaders in learning about power mapping and how it can be used to push refugee and immigrant legislation forward. Participants will learn how to identify goals and partners, formulate a strategy, ways to counter opposition, and hear real-life examples of community work. Register here. |
|
|---|
|
|
 |
Saturday, April 22 @ 9am CST
Citizenship Clinic
Asian American Resource Center - 8401 Cameron Road, Austin, TX 78754
The City of Austin's Equity Office and Asian American Resource Center are partnering with NALEO, American Gateways, and Texas AFL-CIO to host a citizenship clinic this spring. The first 50 participants will receive free one-on-one assistance to complete the N400 citizenship application. Registration will take place from 9-10am the morning of April 22. *Please note that you will need to attend an information session prior to the citizenship clinic.
In addition to receiving assistance with the N400 application, we will also have representatives from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on-site. They will be conducting mock citizenship interviews to help applicants prepare for their interview. We will also have a mini resource fair where attendees can access information and resources. View the event website here.
Information Session #2
Saturday, April 15, 2023 @ 10:30am CST
Plumbers Union Hall - 814 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78702
interpretation provided in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Burmese
Information Session #3
Thursday, April 20, 2023 @ 6:30pm CST
Ruiz Library Branch - 1600 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
session conducted in Spanish - interpretation provided in English
If you have any questions or need any accommodations, please contact Rocío Villalobos via email (rocio.villalobos@austintexas.gov) or phone (512-974-7972). |
|
|---|
|
|
Friday, April 28 @ 1pm CST
Naturalization Test Redesign
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites you to participate in a national engagement session to learn more about the nationwide trial tests for the naturalization test redesign initiative. During this engagement, USCIS will provide updates on the naturalization test redesign initiative and address questions. USCIS is committed to public engagement, and sessions such as these provide us with valuable feedback as we work to improve our programs. Learn more and register here.
|
|
|---|
|
|
Tuesday, May 2 @ 1pm CST
Efforts to Advance Universal Representation
Join National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) for an opportunity to learn and hear how your organization and city/county office can help, support and advance Universal Representation at the local level. The webinar will speak to what Universal Representation means and ways in which Universal Representation policies and programs are moving at federal, state and local levels. Register here. |
|
|---|
|
|
Survey on the Disparate Treatment of Black Migrants in the U.S. Immigration System
The Haitian Bridge Alliance and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee are conducting a study on the experiences of Black migrants in the U.S. immigration system. The study aims to investigate anti-Black racism in the U.S. immigration system, and the data collected will be analyzed in an upcoming report. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Responses will be anonymized and analyzed for the report.
There are two separate surveys:
Survey for attorneys
Survey for clients
If you have any questions about the survey or the study, please email hbasurveys@gmail.com
|
|
|---|
|
|
ICYMI: Protecting Immigrant Communities from Scams - How to Spot, Avoid, and Report Fraud
During this webinar, representatives of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, discussed scams against immigrants and provided information and resources to fight scams and protect people's money and personal information. Watch the webinar recording here. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
 | | |
|  |
|
|
|
|
