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Immigrant Inclusion Mini Grants. In the Fall of 2023, the Equity Office announced a call for applications for the second round of immigrant inclusion mini grants. The number of applications we received surpassed our expectations and subsequently delayed our timeline for announcing the recipients. We are happy to share that we awarded 10 organizations mini grants ranging from $10K - $30K to support their immigrant inclusion efforts. Stay tuned for a formal announcement in February that will highlight our mini grant recipients and their initiatives.
Certified Welcoming. We are pleased to share that Austin is currently being considered for the title and recognition of being Certified Welcoming. Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for local governments that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. This innovative program by Welcoming America assesses local governments on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life within their communities. Learn more here. |
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- Austin Public Library's Enhanced Library Card program was recently voted "Most Uplifting Library Initiative" by the Austin Chronicle.
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A federal district court in Indiana ordered the state to remove restrictions on accessing Indiana driver’s licenses or identification cards for residents who live in the state under federal humanitarian protections, while the case moves forward. The decision comes after the ACLU of Indiana and the National Immigration Law Center filed a lawsuit in August 2023 on behalf of five Indiana residents from Haiti who live and work under federal humanitarian protections and who want to get an Indiana driver’s license or identification card. The law in question, H.E.A. 1050, is an Indiana law that created a pathway for individuals on humanitarian parole to obtain Indiana driver’s licenses or identification cards, but only if they are from Ukraine.
- Negotiations between the Biden administration and Senate Republicans on restrictive border policies appear to have reached an impasse, as Republicans continue to seek strong limits on the use of humanitarian parole, an executive authority which allows migrants to enter the United States for humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas to challenge Senate Bill 4. Because SB 4 is preempted by federal law and violates the U.S. Constitution, the Justice Department seeks a declaration that SB 4 is invalid and an order preliminarily and permanently enjoining the state from enforcing the law.
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The DOJ also recently filed a motion with the Supreme Court to block Texas from controlling a 50-acre park near Eagle Pass, TX, keeping US border patrol agents from the area. The state has set up a fence and wire around the park, which also is guarded by the Texas National Guard and Texas state troopers. Border patrol agents claimed on January 13 that they were prevented by state authorities from responding to a family in distress in the Rio Grande near the park, heightening tensions. Two children and their mom drowned in the river.
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Monday, January 22 @ 3:00 PM CST
Immigrant Services Network of Austin monthly meeting
Carver Library - 1161 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78702
AGENDA
- Partner Spotlight: Communities in Schools
- Openings for New Steering Committee Members
- Resource Guide Updates
- SB4 Policy Overview and Know Your Right Sessions
- Preparing for March 25 ISNA Retreat
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Thursday, January 25 // jueves, 25 de enero @ 6:00 PM CST
Immigration 101: Know Your Rights // Inmigración: Conozca sus derechos
Ruiz Library - 1600 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
Have questions about the immigration process, SB4, and your right to due process? A lawyer from Catholic Charities will share information and answer questions. Learn more and RSVP here.
¿Tiene preguntas sobre el proceso de inmigración, la ley conocida como SB4, y su derecho al debido proceso? Un abogado de Catholic Charities compartirá información y responderá a sus preguntas. Obtenga más información y confirme su asistencia aquí.
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Saturday, January 27 @ 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM CST
2024 Equity Forum: Another World Is Possible
Vuka North Lamar - 5540 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
*interpretation provided in Spanish and ASL
Let’s struggle together to envision a future where many worlds fit. This free in-person gathering is designed to bring Austin-area community members, organizers and City employees together to share resources and strategies for working toward racial equity in Austin. Attendees will have the opportunity to build relationships, engage with panelists, and cultivate radical hope for the coming year. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Whether you're an organizer, community member, student, or professional, we hope you'll join us. Registration is required, and you can RSVP here! Together, let's begin to plant the seeds for another world.
For questions or additional accessibility needs, please contact Equity & Inclusion Program Coordinator Ayshea Khan at ayshea.khan@austintexas.gov
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sábado, 27 de enero de 9:30 AM a 4:30 PM
Foro de equidad 2024: Otro mundo es posible
Ubicacion: Vuka - North Loop, 5540 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
Luchemos juntos para imaginar un futuro en el que quepan muchos mundos. Esta reunión gratuita será en persona y esta está diseñada para reunir a miembros de la comunidad, organizadores y empleados de la ciudad de Austin para compartir recursos y estrategias para trabajar hacia la equidad racial en Austin. Los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de establecer relaciones, interactuar con los panelistas y cultivar una esperanza radical para el próximo año. Se proveerá desayuno y almuerzo.
Si usted es organizador, miembro de la comunidad, estudiante o profesional, esperamos que se pueda unir a nosotros. Es necesario registrarse, ¡así que confirme su asistencia ahora! Juntos, comencemos a sembrar las semillas de otro mundo.
Para obtener más información sobre los presentadores, panelistas y los eventos del día, visite: https://www.austintexas.gov/page/equity-forum
Si tiene preguntas o necesidades de accesibilidad adicionales, por favor comuníquese con Ayshea Khan: ayshea.khan@austintexas.gov
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Tuesday, January 30 @ 10:00 AM CST
Webinar: Cultural and Mental Health Considerations of Immigrants
In this session, attendees will explore the cultural factors influencing mental health among immigrants from a trauma-informed perspective. Attendees will receive an overview of the significance of cultural and mental health stressors related to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) process. This session is being hosted by the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care and the Immigration Diagnostics Evaluation Academy. Register here.
*CEUs can only be provided for nurses and social workers. |
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Tuesday, February 6 @ 1:00 PM CST
How This Work Affects Us: Secondary trauma, grief, and healing
Girasol will be hosting trainings designed specifically for immigration legal professionals in Texas via Zoom. At Girasol, our mission is to provide trauma-informed support and training workshops to legal, social, and mental health professionals who directly serve immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Learn more and register here.
Training Objectives:
- Gain a foundational understanding of trauma, secondary trauma, and burnout, encompassing interpersonal, organizational, and systemic factors
- Apply this knowledge to the unique contexts of your work
- Enhance understanding of the grief process
- Discuss avenues for healing at individual, organizational + community levels
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Wednesday, February 14 @ 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM CST
Mental Health First Aid (adult)
*virtual training*
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 someone experiencing a mental health challenge. This session is tailored for people who work with immigrants and/ or refugees. Learn more and register here. |
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National Partnership for New Americans is launching a new Community Navigator & Inclusion Institute! The Institute offers a suite of offerings ideal for local, and state government partners and nonprofit organizations who work with immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeker communities.
Building on the success of the national Community Navigators for Immigration Legal Services model established by NPNA in 2014, this new institute will bring training and curricula that have been proven effective, adaptable and applied by diverse organizations to better meet the needs of our immigrant and refugee communities outside of our membership. Learn more here. |
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ICYMI: National Refugee Webinar Recording
We Are All America hosted a webinar at the end of 2023 that covered the current status of the US Refugee Resettlement Program ahead of 2024, congressional movement on the Afghan Adjustment Act, changes in the US asylum system, and best practices to counter anti-immigrant/ anti-refugee narratives. Watch the recording here.
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Community Advancement Network
Seeking Members for the Community Council
The Community Council has opened up the application for membership! They are looking for people who are passionate about advancing equity and wellbeing in the Austin Travis County area and who have an interest in learning about community organizations, making recommendations to the City's policy makers, cross sector planning, hosting community dialogue forums, and would like opportunities to network with local decision makers. Learn more here.
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