Boards and Commissions. Looking for ways to get involved in your community? Consider applying for a position on one of the City's many commissions! These bodies are important in that they enable the public to participate in Austin's government processes. Their activities help shape and influence public policy because they lend a more diverse viewpoint for the City Council to consider. Check out the vacancies listed below and apply here. The Commission on Immigrant Affairs has a great need for new commissioners!
 
Support for Naturalization. We're excited to share a new offering for our immigrant communities - free citizenship classes to help you prepare for your citizenship exam and interview! View the flyer below for the classes starting on September 7th as well as the flyer for our next citizenship clinic on November 2nd. Links to both offerings are here.
  • In late July, a Texas State District judge in Brownsville, Texas, denied a request from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to conduct a deposition of an employee of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which operates a shelter for migrants in McAllen, Texas. This is the second time in recent weeks that a Texas court has pushed back on the state’s investigation into migrant aid groups. 
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott is vowing to continue busing and flying migrants to liberal cities like Chicago in protest of Biden's border policies, and that has officials in the Windy City preparing for an influx of up to 25,000 migrants during the Democratic National Convention next week. 
  • The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that the buoys with razor wire Texas deployed in the Rio Grande last year to deter unauthorized migration could remain. The fight over the barrier is one of many broader, hard-fought legal and political battles over the state’s authority to control the flow of migrants at the border. 
  • The DC Circuit Court recently upheld a rule allowing the lawfully-admitted spouses of H-1B visa holders to obtain authorization to work while awaiting lawful permanent residency. Prior to this rule, thousands of immigrant families were forced to choose between separating their families for years or leaving one spouse out of the U.S. workforce while awaiting lawful permanent residency—a wait that can extend for many years based on visa backlogs.
  • The Biden administration will expand areas where migrants can apply online for appointments to enter the U.S. to a large swath of southern Mexico, potentially easing strains on the Mexican government and lessening dangers for people trying to reach the U.S. border to claim asylum. Migrants will be able to schedule appointments on the CBP One app from the states of Chiapas and Tabasco, extending the zone from northern and central Mexico. 
  • The Biden administration recently paused the Cuban-Haitian-Nicaraguan-Venezuelan (CHNV) parole program, which permits up to 30,000 from the four countries each month to enter the U.S. and receive legal status and work authorization. DHS indicated that the program was halted to allow DHS officials to investigate possible fraud by sponsors of the program beneficiaries, who must be able to support them financially and have authorization to be in the United States. 
  • USCIS has updated its information on the International Entrepreneurship Rule, a policy that initially took effect in the Obama administration and is designed to attract immigrant entrepreneurs to the United States to start companies. The program provides parole and work authorization to applicants who meet certain qualifications and intend to start businesses in the U.S. 
  • A large number of aging undocumented immigrants who have worked in the U.S. for years face retirement age with no benefits or access to Social Security or Medicare, despite paying into both systems. Many expect to work well beyond retirement age in order to survive. Approximately 99,000 undocumented workers facing retirement age are in this situation.

  • Governor Greg Abbott recently issued an Executive Order directing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to collect information on undocumented immigrants who use Texas public hospitals for inpatient and emergency care and to report incurred healthcare costs.

  • The case challenging the legality of DACA will be taken up at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and oral arguments have been scheduled for October 7, 2024.
Wednesday, August 14 @ 1:00 PM CST
Campaign Building 101
 
The issues that immigrant justice organizers and their communities face are often overwhelming especially with an increasing anti-immigrant climate. Knowing where to begin to fight back can be challenging. Building a campaign allows organizers to focus on their goals, timeline, and resources, so that coalitions can build power for the short and long term. This virtual training gives an overview of the basics for building a campaign for organizers and coalition members. Interpretation in Spanish will be available. Register here.
Thursday, August 15 @ 2:00 PM CST
Unique Considerations for Representing Trans Migrants
 
Representing transgender migrants isn’t just about getting your client’s pronouns right - it’s also about innovative legal strategy. This training is designed to equip you to represent trans migrants competently, zealously, and creatively. This course has been approved for 1 Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of credit hours, of which 0.5 credit hours will apply to legal ethics/professional responsibility credit. Register here.
Friday, August 16 @ 1:00 PM CST
Webinar Series on Parole in Place Program
Webinar #1: Preparing for Implementation and Latest Updates
 
Join partners of the Ready to Stay coalition to hear the latest updates on what we know around the (Parole in Place) PiP application process, how organizations are preparing for implementation and resources available for organizations. Learn more and register here.
Monday, August 19 @ 1:00 PM CST
Webinar Series on Parole in Place Program
Webinar #2: What to Know About PiP for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
 
Join the Immigration Legal Resource Center for this webinar where they break down the eligibility requirements and filing instructions for the new Parole in Place program for certain spouses of U.S. citizens and their children. They will also address the impact of any litigation filed relating to this program, risk considerations depending on the client’s circumstances, and how this program potentially positions a person to adjust status from within the United States. Register here.
Wednesday, August 21 @ 1:00 PM CST
Webinar Series on Parole in Place Program
Webinar #3: Implementing PiP for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
 
Join partners of the Ready to Stay coalition for a webinar on Parole in Place (PiP) that will dive into the nuts and bolts of the PiP application process, clarify questions from the field, share resources and updates on how the organizations are conducting screening and application assistance. Register here.
Thursday, August 22 @ 11:00 AM CST
Election Season and Immigration Relief for Latin American People
 
There is a lot of uncertainty about what can be achieved regarding immigration protection for approximately five million people from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. What wil Biden's final six months as president look like with respect to immigration relief? What factors will influence his decisions for the next six months? What can we consider a victory for organized groups of Latin American migrants, and how can we build priorities for 2025 regarding administrative relief on that basis? This webinar will be conducted in Spanish with interpretation to English. Learn more and register here.
Saturday, August 24 @ 10:30 AM
Equity Action Team meeting
Windsor Park Library - 5833 Westminster Drive, Austin, TX 78723
 
The City Council will vote to approve the budget in August. We will spend some time going through the budget with the Equity Action Team to understand what was funded, including items from the Community Investment Budget. Other discussions and presentations TBD! There will also be time for community updates, shout-outs, and resource sharing. Brunch will be served, including vegan options. Register here so we have an accurate head count for food.
Tuesday, August 27 @ 2:00 PM CST
All In for Welcoming: How Localities and CBOs Foster Welcoming & Inclusion During Citizenship Day and Welcoming Week
 
This webinar is hosted by the National Partnership for New Americans, Cities & Counties for Citizenship and Welcoming America with the purpose of showcasing how localities and community based organizations are creating infrastructure and investing in welcoming initiatives related to naturalization, voter accessibility & more.
 
The event is taking place ahead of Welcoming Week and Citizenship Month 2024 as localities and organizations prepare to host events across the country that showcase innovative ways to welcome immigrants and refugees; support eligible residents on their pathway to U.S. Citizenship, and ensure newly naturalized voters are prepared to exercise their right to vote in the November Presidential elections. Register here.
Wednesday, August 28 @ 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Youth Mental Health First Aid training (over Zoom)
 
The USCRI Texas Refugee Wellness Program is offering an open virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for anyone who works with refugees/immigrants in Texas. If you are interested, please register by 3:00 PM Wednesday, August 21st.
 

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training that provides adults supporting youth with knowledge on the common signs of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as practical ways to support a young person experiencing a mental health challenge. Trainings are FREE and we offer social work CEUs! 
Saturday, September 7 - Saturday, October 12 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM CST
Citizenship Classes (6-week course)
Southeast Branch Library - 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road, Austin, TX 78744
 
Austin Public Library and the Equity Office are partnering with the LBJ Presidential Library to offer free citizenship classes to the public! The classes will be taught in English - some English proficiency is needed for these classes. Materials will be provided at no cost to participants.
 
During this 6-week course, participants will develop a foundation in civics that will help them prepare for their naturalization exam. They will also prepare for their citizenship interview by practicing reading, writing, and reviewing vocabulary in English.  Register here.
Saturday, September 14 @ 10:00 AM
Refugee Arts & Crafts Bazaar
Town Lake YMCA - 1100 W. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78703
 
This free community event features the work of refugees from several parts of the world who have recently settled in Austin. The artisans will be showcasing hand-made goods, clothing, gift items, homemade traditional foods and fresh-baked pastries and treats. One hundred percent of proceeds go directly to the vendors. 

Austin Public Health and Integral Care recently launched a public health awareness campaign in support of children's mental health and substance abuse prevention. The campaign will highlight the free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training which is generously supported by Travis County and offered by Integral Care to individuals, schools, businesses, and organizations in Austin and Travis County. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in a Youth Mental Health First Aid training session, offered at no cost. Register here.
brandon.kroos@austintexas.gov
brandon.kroos@austintexas.gov
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