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SB4 Resources. SB4 (mandatory minimum) from special session 3 went into effect on February 6. SB4 (unlawful entry) briefly went into effect on March 19, before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked it. There is also an SB4 toolkit that community groups have put together with tons of helpful information available in different languages.
Welcoming Interactive. Last week, several City of Austin staff had the opportunity to participate in the Welcoming Interactive, hosted in Dallas by Welcoming America. This conference brings together people from around the world who are all working towards creating more welcoming communities. We left feeling inspired and full of new ideas. Next year's conference will be held in Detroit!
Citizenship Clinic. After the success of our clinics in 2023, we are working with American Gateways to bring you more citizenship clinics this year. Our Spring clinic will take place on Saturday, May 4th at the Asian American Resource Center. There is one more info session remaining before the clinic! You can find the details and links to flyers below & here. |
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- After SB4 briefly went into effect on March 19, a three-judge panel from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals put a temporary hold on the Texas law. During the first week of April, the same three-judge panel started hearing arguments about whether it should continue blocking SB4.
- Civil rights organizations have filed an administrative complaint against the CBP ONE app, claiming discrimination against people with disabilities.
- President Biden signed a massive $1.2 trillion government funding bill that would significantly increase anti-immigrant funding to the highest level it has been since the Trump administration. The funding bill includes increased detention beds, more border agents, and an increase in harmful border surveillance technology. Meanwhile, Congress is proposing to slash funding for the government grant program that funds localities and nongovernmental organizations to provide humane reception services for people who have recently arrived in the United States.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced a policy calling for ICE personnel to wear body cameras in most situations when carrying out enforcement duties.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued a temporary final rule to automatically extend the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from 180 to 540 days. That means eligible immigrants whose EADs have expired since Oct. 27 will remain eligible to work for at least another 360 days, while their EAD renewals are processed.
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The new USCIS fee schedule went into effect on Monday, April 1. In March, a group of immigrants and employer groups attempted to block the fee hike by filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court Tenth Circuit, but the motion was ultimately denied, allowing for USCIS to move forward as planned on April 1. The new fee schedule means higher costs for nearly every visa and immigration category, in addition to new form editions for certain applications.
- The Biden administration is reportedly discussing using Guantanamo Bay to process Haitian migrants if there is a mass exodus to the U.S. amid worsening conditions in the country, according to a U.S. official.
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Wednesday, April 17 @ 5:00 PM CST
NPNA Webinar - Expanded Eligibility on Reduced Fee for Naturalization: What You Need to Know
Are you navigating the complexities of immigration fees? In this webinar, we'll provide crucial insights into the newly introduced partial fee waivers by USCIS. Our esteemed panel of immigration experts will share information on the partial fee waivers eligibility and naturalization process. Stay informed and empowered about the latest developments in immigration fees. Mark your calendars and join us for this enlightening session. Register here. |
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Wednesday, April 17 @ 6:00 PM CST
Film Screening: Missing in Brooks County
LBJ School of Public Affairs - 2315 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712
Two families search for loved ones who vanished in the fields of Brooks County,
Texas after crossing from Mexico and find a sobering truth: the deadliest part of the
journey is far from the border. 81 minutes. Screenings followed by Q&A with Co-
Directors Lisa Molomot and Jeff Bemiss, Eddie Canales of the South Texas Human
Rights Center, and Priscilla Lugo of the Texas Immigration Law Council. |
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Thursday, April 18 @ 5:00 PM CST
Organizing & Leadership webinar: Activating Power in Refugee and Immigrant Communities
The Refugee Leadership Development Program provides bi-monthly workshops to refugee and immigrant organizers across the United States. Led by refugee and immigrants for refugees and immigrants, this training series is an opportunity to learn more about advocacy tactics being used to advance pro-refugee/pro-immigrant policy on the state and national levels, story-telling and narrative shifting, and connecting with resources and local networks to build more welcoming and inclusive communities. Register here. |
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Monday, Apri 22 @ 3:00 PM CST
Immigrant Services Network of Austin monthly meeting
Carver Library - 1163 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78722
Join us for the next monthly meeting of ISNA!
Agenda items include:
- Demonstration of the Community Action Network (CAN) online resource guide by Carlos Soto
- Update on Support Services for UT Immigrant Students by Alicia Moreno, recently of the Monarch Center
- Take-aways and Next Steps from the March Retreat
The meeting space is reserved until 5pm to accommodate the newly formed working groups on Civic Engagement and Creative Opportunities - should any group/s wish to meet separately after the main convening. If you are unable to join in person, you can view the presentations remotely on Zoom.
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Tuesday, April 23 @ 9:00 AM CST
USCIS Workshop: Building and Maintaining a Comprehensive Adult Citizenship Education Program
Restore Education - 4603 E. Houston Street, San Antonio, TX 78220
Join USCIS for a free, full-day adult citizenship education seminar! Topics to be covered:
- Naturalization Process and Eligibility Requirements
- Overview of the Naturalization Test
- Instructional Strategies and Resources for Citizenship Classrooms
- Naturalization Test Redesign Trial Test
To Register: register here
Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required and will close 24 hours before the event or once the seminar is full. Please email office.of.citizenship@uscis.dhs.gov with any questions or concerns with registration, or to request for sign language accommodation. Request for sign language accommodation must be submitted 30 days before the seminar.
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Wednesday, April 24 @ 1:00 PM CST
Webinar: How Poll Workers Ensure Accessible Elections for All
In today's diverse society, it's crucial to ensure that all voices are heard and represented in the democratic process. However, many immigrants face unique challenges and fears when it comes to participating in elections and civic engagement — yet there are tangible ways to change this.
Presented in partnership with Power the Polls, this webinar will explore the critical role of poll workers in ensuring fair and safe access to the ballot box for all voters. By becoming poll workers, immigrants can contribute to the smooth operation of elections, help their neighbors vote, and gain firsthand experience in the democratic process, thus fostering a deeper sense of belonging and empowerment within their communities. Register here. |
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Saturday, April 27 @ 10:30 AM CST
Equity Action Team Meeting
Wildflower Church - 1314 E Oltorf Street, Austin, TX 78704
Agenda:
- We will welcome back Janis Bookout & will do more in-depth information sharing and engagement with the EV (Electric Vehicle) Justice Working Group
- We also reserve time for community updates, shout-outs, and resource sharing, too!
Brunch will be provided and there will be vegan options. We look forward to being in community with you! RSVP here.
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Thursday, May 2 @ 1:30 PM CST
The Power of Trusted Connectors in Micro-Enterprise Development: How to Build Immigrant Inclusion into Your Small Business Ecosystem
Are you looking for new ways to support immigrant entrepreneurs in your community? In this webinar release of The Power of Trusted Connectors in Micro-Enterprise Development report (co-hosted with Global Detroit), we will explore approaches welcoming organizations that don’t operate small business programs can employ to connect immigrant entrepreneurs to resources and opportunities.
The webinar will also help those operating small business programs with strategies to connect to often overlooked immigrant entrepreneurs. You will gain insights into adaptable and cost-effective strategies for connecting entrepreneurs in low-income communities of color and immigrant communities with valuable business support resources. Register here. |
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Saturday, May 11 @ 10:00 AM CST
Refugee Mother's Day Arts & Crafts Bazaar
Town Lake YMCA - 1100 W. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78703
This bazaar will feature handmade goods by refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi who have recently settled in Austin. One hundred percent of proceeds go directly to the vendors. Learn more here. |
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GirlForward is looking for Mentors!
Deadline to Apply: May 10
Are you interested in working with and supporting high-school refugee girls? Then consider applying for GirlForward's mentoring program! GirlForward mentees are paired with female mentors for at least one year (and up to four years) so that they may have support in exploring their passions and graduate from high school. Mentor pairs meet weekly (6 hours per month) to talk about anything from school, to relationships, explore careers, try new activities together, and more. Mentors and mentees are friends, role models, teachers, and confidants for each other. Learn more and apply to be a Mentor here. |
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For over 15 years, NIIC has been the essential, big hearted, big tent gathering space for the entire sector supporting America’s immigrants and refugees. In a time when so much seeks to divide our communities and where consensus on solutions can feel out of reach, NIIC sets a broad, welcoming table for all who work on immigrant and refugee inclusion. At NIIC, together we continue to dream big, strategize, collaborate, and strengthen the connections that are so necessary to our daily work that puts dignity, opportunity and enfranchisement first. Take advantage of the early bird registration rate now! |
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