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February Immigrant Affairs Update |
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Multi-Agency Resource Centers
Staff from multiple City, County, and nonprofit agencies will be available to answer community members’ questions and provide a variety of complimentary resources to help the community recover from the recent winter storm, such as charging centers, debris and damage information, mental health support, hot food, laundry facilities, showers, and more.
Please note, hot meals and supplies are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Based on the needs of our community, we are anticipating a high number of attendees. Please expect potential traffic and delays due to parking.
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Global Impact Initiative (Gii) is partnering with EnGen and CapMetro to provide online English instruction, Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) and apprenticeships that pay $22/hour. With overtime, drivers earn up to $34/hour and receive full medical benefits and paid holidays. Program starts on February 8th.
The four-step, online program provides everything you need to obtain a Class C commercial driver's license (CDL C), required to operate a vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more occupants, and serve as a bus driver.
- Step 1: January 30 - February 8: Program sign up and orientation
- Step 2: February 8 - 19: EnGen, a leading English language upskilling platform, onboarding and assessment.
- Step 3: February 20 - May 21: For those needing to improve their English, up to 4 months of EnGen online English instruction, while learning key vocabulary associated with being a commercial motor vehicle driver.
- Step 4: February 20 - April 30: For those assessed as having the necessary English skills, completion of the Gii 10-week, online Entry Level Driver Training Theory Course. *Note: This course is a federal requirement before taking state level skills tests.
- Step 5: May - July: CapMetro, Austin’s premier public transit provider, paid apprenticeships starting at $22/hour to complete the remaining CDL C requirements, including behind-the-wheel training, and to serve as a bus driver.
To sign up, contact:
Bob Ewigleben, Program Director,
Phone or text: (616) 490-0363
Email: robert@globalimpactinitiative.com
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Interfaith Action of Central Texas: Call for Volunteers
Interfaith Action (iACT) cultivates peace and respect through interfaith dialogue, service and celebration. You can either attend in person, or via Zoom. Please fill out this form to RSVP for the upcoming orientation. Please email Volunteer Coordinator Mondra Wright at mwright@interfaithtexas.org with any questions. |
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American Gateways: Call for Volunteers
American Gateways is in need of volunteer translators and interpreters. Anyone who speaks, reads, and/or writes any language other than English is welcome to volunteer.
To get involved, please contact:
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- Texas governor Greg Abbott announced the creation of a Texas "border czar" and said he has appointed a recently retired border patrol agent to that position.
- The Biden administration plans to let the coronavirus public health emergency declaration expire in May. The COVID-19 public health emergency protocols will be lifted on May 11, including the controversial Title 42, a public health policy that increased expulsions at the border.
- The Biden administration announced an expedited immigration process that will allow immigrants exploited in the workplace, or involved in labor investigations, to apply for protections from deportation and for work permits. DHS officials said the policy will encourage exploited workers to denounce labor violations and participate in workplace investigations in ways they would otherwise be fearful of engaging in due to their lack of legal immigration status, and the threat of deportation.
- The State Department announced a pilot program that will allow groups of private American citizens and permanent residents to financially sponsor the resettlement of refugees fleeing war and violence across the world. Sponsor groups welcome refugee newcomers by securing and preparing initial housing, greeting refugee newcomers at the airport, enrolling children in school, and helping adults to find employment.
- Twenty states have filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge in Texas to stop the aforementioned program. The states that filed the lawsuit alleged that the program illegally expands the scope of the parole authority, which they argue can only be used in extraordinary cases.
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Tuesday, February 14
Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training that provides participants with knowledge on the common signs of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as practical ways to support young people experiencing a mental health challenge. Register here.
Hosted by U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. USCRI Texas' Refugee Wellness Program team wants to empower local organizations and community members to feel confident in supporting refugees building resiliency and encouraging them to seek help for mental health challenges.
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Wednesday, February 15 @ 4pm CST
Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up (District 10)
Southeast Branch Library - 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road
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.
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Wednesday, February 22 @ 1:30pm CST
A Future for All of US: Narrative Strategy Tools & Learnings for the Pro-Immigrant Movement
Race Forward’s Butterfly Lab for Immigrant Narrative Strategy launched in June 2020 to advance pro-immigrant narratives that recognize and honor the humanity of immigrants and advance freedom and justice for all. Since then, we have worked with thousands of narrative leaders and practitioners in the pro-immigrant movement to build narrative strategy and narrative capacity.
Join us for a final event, where we will share our learnings and reflections from our journey to advance narrative strategy and build narrative capacity for the pro-immigrant movement. We have compiled our reflections in an updated report that we are excited to launch at our next event. Spanish interpretation, ASL and Closed Captioning will be provided. Register here. |
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Thursday, February 23 @ 6pm CST
Refugee Leadership Development Program 2023
The Power of Organizing: Organizing and Leadership
The Refugee Leadership Development Program provides monthly workshops to refugee and immigrant organizers across the United States. Led by refugees for refugees, 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 level, story-telling and narrative shifting, and connecting with resources and local networks to build more welcoming and inclusive communities.
Participants who attend a minimum of 3 workshops will receive a Certificate of Participation by We Are All America. Similarly, those who attend every training will be gifted a Certificate of Completion, where the alum of our program will be invited to co-facilitate or propose future workshops. Learn more and register here.
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Monday, February 27 @ 12pm CST
Briefing on Refugee Resettlement
Join We Are All America to hear updates about the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program, the Launch of the Welcome Corps, a Refugee Private Sponsorship Program, and learn what the current status is with Title 42. Advocates will share ways you can be involved and how you can take action to support these programs and individuals seeking safety and refuge. Learn more and register here. |
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Friday, March 10 @ 12pm CST
Immigrant Justice 101
Since 1987, American Gateways has provided vital immigration legal services, education, and advocacy to low-income immigrants and asylum-seekers in Central Texas. Let us show you how at our next Immigrant Justice 101 event. RSVP below and join us for an informal virtual gathering with our staff to learn more about what’s happening in immigration, hear inspiring stories from our clients, and discover opportunities for involvement. Register here. |
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New American Speakers Program
Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
WeaveTales is launching its fourth run of the New American Speakers Program! The program is designed to encourage and empower refugees and immigrants ("newcomers") to share their personal stories with the public. The goal is for students to learn how to amplify their stories for advocacy and to combat misconceptions about their culture and experiences of migration. Learn more and apply here. |
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Each year, the National Immigrant Inclusion Conference (NIIC) includes 5-7 MainStage Sessions which address big picture and up-to-the-minute issues impacting immigrant and refugee communities. More than 375 diverse leaders from across the sector have been featured on the NIIC MainStage, as well as dozens of artists, performers and cultural workers. If you missed the conference, you can now access the MainStage sessions here. |
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Is your community responding to new arrivals, looking to spur economic development, or launching a diversity initiative? Watch this two-part webinar and make concrete steps towards turning your commitment to welcoming into action.
Welcoming America calls this work building welcoming infrastructure, and it is much more than being friendly, tolerant, or peaceful. Participants will walk away from the two part series with concrete steps for turning their commitment to welcoming into action and an understanding of welcoming work can look in small and large communities. Watch the two-part webinar series here. |
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