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January Immigrant Affairs Update |
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City of Austin to Connect Asylum-Seekers to Sponsor Destinations
The City of Austin is coordinating travel support to help asylum-seekers reach their sponsor destinations across the United States. It follows a request for support from the City of San Antonio.
This assistance, which began last week, was developed in partnership with the City of San Antonio, which has recently experienced significant fluctuations in the number of people seeking travel from San Antonio. The assistance is designed to provide a humane and effective way of relieving some of the pressures on San Antonio and help people reach their sponsor destinations in a timely and safe manner. Austin and AUS are effectively serving as a pass-through point for guests coming from the border area who need air transport to their sponsors’ destinations.
Read the full press release here.
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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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The survey is also available in:
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- The Supreme Court once again declined to take up an appeal from a group of Republican-led states seeking to intervene in a case challenging the Trump-era “public charge” immigration policy, a version of which the Biden administration has abandoned. The policy, an expansion of the so-called “public charge” rule, made it more difficult for noncitizens applying for visas, admission, or adjustment of status if they use certain public benefits, such as Medicaid, food stamps and housing vouchers.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expanding its use of CBP One, which uses facial recognition technology and GPS tracking to perform several of its functions, subjecting users to the inherent risks and flaws of these technologies. All people who wish to access new programs announced by the Biden administration, including the parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, will be required to use the app.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced new border enforcement measures.
- DHS has proposed adjusting certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Nearly all of the proposed changes will result in significantly higher costs for applicants.
- The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued another order to keep Title 42 restrictions in place until the court can hear arguments in February and issue a final ruling.
- Arizona Governor Doug Ducey recently agreed to remove a border wall made of cargo containers after the Biden administration sued him for trespassing on federal land and environmental damage.
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Wednesday, January 18 @ 10am CST
Immigrant Services Network of Austin meeting
ISNA is a working group of diverse community stakeholders and immigrant service providers operating together to coordinate efforts, increase public awareness, and inform policy, in order to better serve the immigrant community. ISNA promotes the success and well-being of immigrants in order to secure the long-term prosperity of the entire community.
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Wednesday, January 18 @ 4pm CST
Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up (District 10)
Howson Branch Library - 2500 Exposition Blvd
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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Friday, January 27 @ 11am CST
Equity Action Team Meeting (hybrid)
Snell Building - 1050 E. 11th Street, Suite 250
The Equity Action Team (EAT) is a coalition of community members and City of Austin staff focused on advancing racial equity in our communities through partnerships with City departments, non-profits, philanthropic entities and community-based groups. The EAT meetings are dedicated to critical discussions and strategizing on how to best improve the quality of life for most directly impacted communities in Austin.
Everyone is welcome to join the EAT! As a member, your responsibility is to attend and bring your community with you. During our meetings, we hear from community members and City staff to understand community needs and City projects and work together to produce better outcomes for all.
Agenda:
- Creating Community Agreements
- Cementing top 3 goals for 2023
- Discussing emergency response & end of 2022 freeze
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Wednesday, February 1st
Community Wellness Orientation (CWO) allows participants to reflect on their existing cultural definitions and perceptions of mental health and wellness. Participants will examine how their own experiences shape their thinking and behaviors surrounding mental health, how these experiences compare with mainstream American practices, and ways to identify and articulate refugee needs within these contexts. Register here.
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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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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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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As individuals and organizations in localities across the globe mobilize to support those displaced by war, conflict, and climate disasters, meeting the immediate needs is critical. At the same time, building the infrastructure needed to support and engage migrants and non-migrants in the long term is essential to ensuring belonging for all lasts beyond these events.
In this new guide, Welcoming America and the Welcoming International Alliance outline five ways for local leaders to create equitable and welcoming environments as part of the response to humanitarian relief. Local leaders can find checklists, resource links, and ideas for building a durable infrastructure within communities so that when the next crisis hits, they are ready to respond effectively. View the guide here.
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