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Welcome to our first Immigrant Affairs update! |
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Hi all - Rocío Villalobos here. I had the honor of joining the Equity Office at the very end of March 2020 as the Immigrant Affairs Coordinator. Although the majority of my work has been virtual, I immediately felt at home and I'm privileged to work with such an incredible team. You can expect to see updates from me at least monthly. If you have information, resources, or events that you would like to see shared here, please send me an email. |
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THIS MONTH'S SPOTLIGHT:
BLACK ALLIANCE FOR JUST IMMIGRATION |
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The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) believes that a thriving multiracial democracy requires racial, social and economic justice for all. BAJI educates and engages African American and Black immigrant communities to organize and advocate for racial, social and economic justice. Local BAJI Organizing Committees in New York, Georgia, California and Arizona build coalitions and initiate campaigns among communities to push for racial justice.
BAJI is excited to launch their Gender Justice report - Our Stories & Visions: Gender in Black Immigrant Communities. Please check out their dynamic report on Black immigrant women & femmes. Throughout February, BAJI will host several virtual events sharing the making of the report with interviews of the research team & the artists all who brought to life the stories of Black immigrant women and femmes. Learn more about BAJI and their report here.
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During Fall 2020, we started working with Dr. Ruth Wasem and her Immigrant Incorporation Policy Research Team at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Her team previously worked with the cities of San Antonio and Dallas, and they are now working with Austin to produce a Welcoming Cities Report.
A growing body of research shows that immigrant incorporation policies yield positive outcomes for both native- and foreign-born residents of a city. The insights from this report will aid us as we build out an Office of Immigrant Affairs and work to become a certified Welcoming City.
Members of Dr. Wasem's team will present their research and findings to date at the next Equity Action Team meeting scheduled for Saturday, February 20th @ 10am.
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Cities for Action: A Vision for Immigration Action |
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Cities for Action (C4A) is a coalition of 200+ U.S. mayors and county executives advocating for pro-immigrant federal policies and launching innovative, inclusive programs and policies at the local level.
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New American Economy COVID-19 Grant Project |
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We are excited to be partnering with the New American Economy, a national non-profit research organization, on a research project that will look at the effects of COVID-19 on our immigrant communities.
With the support of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, Caritas, El Buen Samaritano, and Refugee Services of Texas, we will soon launch a survey to identify how our various immigrant communities have been impacted by COVID-19. We also seek to determine what is most needed at this time to make sure folks can get the support they need to recover.
This initiative is being funded by the Walmart Foundation. The cities of Atlanta, Denver, Louisville, and Tulsa are also participating in this project. More information will be shared as we get closer to launching the survey!
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Support Available for Citizenship Applications |
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Casa Marianella received a grant from the City of Austin to help residents of Austin and Travis County apply for citizenship.
If you are eligible and if you live in Austin or Travis County, it's possible Casa Marianella will be able to help you with the application process.
If you would like to discuss your eligibility for citizenship, you can email Sarah Woelk at swoelk@casamarianella.org or call 512-385-5571. |
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TUE February 9th @ 3pm CST
Immigrant Integration Priorities in Recent Immigration Executive Orders |
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THURS February 11th @ 7pm CST
United We Dream Texas hosts Virtual Community Gathering |
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The City of Austin is a proud member of the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA). Join NPNA for a webinar on Tuesday, February 9th that will discuss the Biden administration's recent executive orders on immigration and the policies, tactics and campaigns designed to ensure that immigrants and refugees have the resources and opportunities they need. You can join the event through Facebook Live on the NPNA Facebook page. |
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Join UWD Texas to celebrate Black History Month! When we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the work of leaders of the Black community, and the privileges we have gained because of it.
During the call, you'll hear the latest information of what’s happening in TX including the 100 Day Deportation Moratorium. UWD Texas will also discuss their brand new Undeniable campaign and plans for Immigrants’ Day of Remembrance. Register here for the community gathering!
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WED February 17th @ 1pm CST
Overcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Immigrant Communities |
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FRI February 12th + FRI February 26th @ 10am CST
Accessible, Pertinent Information |
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While efforts to administer the COVID-19 vaccine are ramping up across the country, there's a dramatic rise in misinformation being shared. As a result, many people and families are hesitant to receive the vaccine, and this is especially true in many immigrant communities.
This important conversation will cover:
• current information about the vaccine and its effectiveness
• examples of how to use trusted community leaders + peers as sources
of information
• resources + tools that have proven successful to dispel misinformation and how you can repurpose them for your own communities
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The Asian Pacific Islander Work Group has been hosting My API Live sessions on Facebook Live on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month at 10am.
My API Live broadcasts brings the viewers/listeners accurate and updated COVID-19-related information to keep our communities safe, healthy and informed. All information centers around API/AAPI communities and is also relevant for the greater Austin community. During the live broadcasts there is simultaneous interpretation available in Burmese, Mandarin and Vietnamese by dialing directly to the phone numbers on the flyer. Having a Facebook account is not necessary to watch My API Live on the APH site.
In the month of February, you can watch their broadcast this coming Friday, February 12th and Friday, February 26th at 10am. Tune in to My API Live here. |
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COVID-19 INFORMATION & RESOURCES |
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Pre-Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine |
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Austin Public Health En Español! |
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At this time, people in the Texas DSHS definition of Phase 1A and Phase 1B are eligible to be vaccinated. You can pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine, even if it is not your "turn" to be vaccinated.
- Phase 1A: Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities
- Phase 1B: People 65+ years of age; people 16+ years of age and with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at greater risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19
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El grupo de Facebook de Austin Public Health se dedica a proveer información de salud pública a la comunidad hispanohablante de Austin y del condado de Travis, incluyendo abordar las preocupaciones sobre la pandemia del COVID-19 en la comunidad hispana/latin(@/x) y garantizar que los hispanohablantes tengan acceso directo a la información que necesitan para mantenerse seguros. Únete al grupo aquí. |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard |
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Vaccine Access: Free Rides from Capital Metro to Your Vaccine Appointment |
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To increase transparency, Austin Public Health has released a new Vaccine Distribution Dashboard that updates weekly + breaks the data down by age, zip code, sex, and race/ethnicity.
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Capital Metro is offering free curb-to-curb service for people with COVID-19 vaccination appointments. (This is not to schedule a vaccine.)
Call 512-369-6050
Mon - Fri: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Weekends: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
*you must request the ride at least 1 day in advance
Have the following info ready:
- Pickup address
-V accine appointment address
- Appointment time & return time
- Whether you are traveling with another person and/or using mobility aids
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