City of Austin's Office of Equity and Inclusion Newsletter Archive

July Immigrant Affairs Update

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Last year, we launched our first Immigrant Integration Grant Program. We awarded funding to 12 organizations total and we're now excited to share project highlights from some of the organizations that received funding!

Bulbul Collective

Bulbul Collective (formerly I-AMM) is an Austin-based storytelling | worldchanging 501(c)(3) dedicated to curating and disseminating BAMEMSA (Black, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, South Asian) stories. Bulbul means "nightingale," in the language of the peoples from the region between Gibraltar and Indonesia. In Sufi poetry–a staple of that region–the Bulbul sings its stories to reunite with its beloved and to regain wholeness. We are especially interested in the stories of our Black, multiracial, mixed-religion, traumatized by religion, third-culture and LGBTQIA+, BAMEMSA folks. Our worldbuilding operates on four separate but linked pathways: 1) Healing Circles, 2) Story Collection, Archiving and Podcasting, 3) Taking our stories to the halls of power in Washington, DC and finally 4) Grassroots efforts fueled by the energy of the team that returns from DC.

The base of the Collective’s work is built in the Healing Circles; it's where community members get to safely shape their personal narratives using liberatory frameworks and practices. It's not easy to sit with, process, share and integrate our, or our parents’/grandparents' traumatic migrant stories without community. Here is what one of the participants had to say about the program:

"As a Muslim woman of color of Arab descent who has been in and out of traditional therapy for years -- which I have found to be underwhelming and unaffirming at best; and racist and retraumatizing at worst - it is incredible how transformational and healing the simple practice of showing up to a safe space with genuine people that share and understand my cultural background has been. The simple power of deeply listening to people, I can truly relate to, and learning to receive the gift of being listened to in kind -- true community -- is the healing modality I have been searching for. I am deeply grateful for this beautiful space and look forward to it every week."

The program has become so popular that participants have decided not to terminate the class in between the two, 16-week sessions. See below for more information about future sessions of Bulbul Collective's Healing Circles.

LOCAL UPDATES

Trúc Việt is proud to announce the opening of our Conversational English as a Second Language (ESL) class. Our goal for this class is to accommodate Vietnamese people working in service-based industries who cannot attend our regular Saturday classes. We aim to create an environment where they can hone their English conversation skills for when they speak with their clients and customers.

To register for this course, students must have a foundation in English. For this course, students who have never taken a class from us will be given priority. Please keep in mind that this class meets twice a week.

Class Dates: July 27th to August 31st, 2022

Class Time: Wednesdays and Fridays 7:30 - 9:30 PM

Location: Sun Academy, Chinatown Center, 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

Registration Deadline: July 20th, 2022

Register Here: https://forms.gle/L3uQEUa7qhKi9j439

For more information, please contact info@trucviet.org!

MoveOutATX: Free Furniture Market

July 28-31, 2022 @ 2:30-7pm

Are you looking for furniture? This summer, MoveOutATX will have its first-ever Free Furniture Market. Lightly-used furniture will arrive from donation stations throughout the day. It will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must be able to load and transport items yourself. Get all of the details about MoveOutATX and the Free Furniture Market here.

Bulbul Collective

16-Week Healing Circle

Bulbul Collective (formerly I-AMM) is an Austin-based storytelling | worldchanging 501(c)(3) dedicated to curating and disseminating BAMEMSA (Black, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, South Asian) stories. The Healing Circle strives to build community under the tutelage of trained professionals, by holding two, 16-week (currently online) classes every year. For more information and to register, please email chirp@bulbulcollective.org

Todos Juntos invites anyone interested in learning English to fill out our interest form ahead of our fall semester.

Registration day will be August 30 & 31, and our first day of classes will be September 12.

**

Todos Juntos invita a cualquier persona interesada en aprender inglés a completar nuestro formulario de interés antes de nuestro semestre este otoño.

El día para registrarse será el 30 y 31 de agosto, y nuestro primer día de clases será el 12 de septiembre.

STATE & NATIONAL UPDATES

A federal district court struck down the Mayorkas Enforcement Priorities memo. This memo would limit who immigration authorities can arrest and deport. The judge who ruled on the case argued that the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) guidance is preventing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from enforcing the law.
The Supreme Court recently reversed lower court rulings that ordered bond hearings for immigrants facing lengthy stays in immigrant detention. This means that immigrants can face indefinite detention.
The Supreme Court dismissed an effort led by 13 states to revive the Trump-era 2019 public charge rule. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to apply the public charge ground of admissibility consistent with the 1999 Interim Field Guidance.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration can end the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy. This policy forces asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico as their cases make their way through U.S. immigration courts.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) turned 10 years old on June 15, 2022. Since then, DACA has provided more than 830,000 immigrants the ability to work, drive, and live free from the fear of deportation.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a new policy directive to consider U.S. military service when determining civil immigration enforcement actions against non-U.S. citizens. The new directive formalizes this practice as an official agency policy.
Migration Policy Institute released a report titled "COVID-19's Effects on U.S. Immigration and Immigrant Communities, Two Years On."
California became the first state in the U.S. to offer healthcare to all of its residents, including those who are undocumented.
A growing number of cities and counties in Texas are offering enhanced library cards as a way to give people who struggle accessing IDs an alternative form of photo ID. Dallas is the latest city to commit to offering enhanced library cards to their residents.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Refugee Leadership Development Program

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.

Learn more and register here.

Thursday, July 7 @ 6pm CST

We Are All America Facebook Live: Refugee Matters - Queer Diaspora

LGBTQIA+ people are often more vulnerable in their search for safety, with access to even fewer paths to protection. And with the rise in anti-trans legislation across the country, safety and belonging may feel more out of reach for queer people seeking refuge in the United States. Join We Are All America for a conversation on what it means to be part of the queer immigrant diaspora; how we create belonging and safety within each of our communities. Tune in here.

Saturday, July 9 @ 10am CST

Immigration Updates

Little Walnut Creek Branch Library

835 W. Rundberg Lane

Hear from legal experts at American Gateways and learn about next steps to citizenship. Ask questions about recent changes to immigration laws and processes such as DACA and TPS.

This event is free and open to the public. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please call 512-974-7449 or speak with the manager at your nearest library.

sábado, 9 de julio @ 10am CST

Actualizaciones en inmigración

Biblioteca Little Walnut Creek

835 W. Rundberg Lane

Aprenda de los expertos legales de American Gateways y conozca más sobre los próximos pasos en su camino para lograr la ciudadanía. Escuche a expertos legales sobre cambios legales recientes a las leyes y procesos de inmigración como DACA y TPS.

Este evento es gratis y abierto al público. La Ciudad de Austin está comprometida con la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA). Si se solicita, se pueden hacer modificaciones razonables de acuerdo a las necesidades del usuario. Para asistencia, por favor llame al 512-974-7400 o hable con el director de la bibilioteca más cercana.

Tuesday, July 12 @ 2pm CST

Welcoming Economies 2022 - Workforce Development for Working-Class Immigrants

This webinar focuses on different models that local welcoming initiatives have utilized to better serve working-class immigrants and refugees in building career skills, job searches, job placement and other workforce development activities related to finding and securing meaningful and lucrative employment. This webinar will cover the breadth of these activities, while providing participants ample opportunity to reflect on these models and their own workforce development landscapes. Register here.

Thursday, July 14 @ 5pm CST

Brave Community Conversations:

Mis- and Dis- Information

Carver Library Branch

1161 Angelica Street

Mis- and Dis- information poses fundamental threats to the way news, science, politics, and social issues are communicated. And, through digital communication, false information is disseminated at rapid rates across the globe. Sowing falsehoods increases political polarization and potentially infringes on the democratic process. Join us as we talk about how to deal with propaganda, mis and dis information, and fake news to build community. And, how disinformation continues to pose a threat to already vulnerable populations with existing forms of discrimination.

This is a FREE family-friendly event. Catered individually-wrapped tacos, drinks, and snacks will be included with your registration. Register here.

Wednesday, July 20 @ 3pm CST

ICE Intelligence Centers: How ICE Gathers Data to Conduct Raids and Deportations

As our communities increasingly rely on technologies for communication, employment, and essential services, our data has become the subject of increased surveillance. For more than a decade, ICE has been building a mass surveillance machine that relies on big data corporations and state-sponsored surveillance to locate, prosecute, and deport individuals. Join Just Futures Law for a special Take Back Tech webinar to shed light on one component of this surveillance machine—ICE data surveillance centers. Register here.

Thursday, July 21 @ 5:30pm CST

Know Your Rights

Little Walnut Creek Branch Library

835 W. Rundberg Lane

Hear from legal experts at American Gateways and learn how to assert your rights when interacting with law enforcement and immigration services. You have constitutional rights regardless of your immigration status.

This event is free and open to the public. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please call 512-974-7449 or speak with the manager at your nearest library.

jueves, 21 de julio @ 5:30pm CST

Conozca sus derechos

Biblioteca Little Walnut Creek

835 W. Rundberg Lane

Aprenda de los expertos legales de American Gateways y obtenga información sobre sus derechos al interactuar con la policía y los oficiales de inmigración. Tiene derechos constitucionales - independientemente de su estatus migratorio.

Este evento es gratis y abierto al público. La Ciudad de Austin está comprometida con la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA). Si se solicita, se pueden hacer modificaciones razonables de acuerdo a las necesidades del usuario. Para asistencia, por favor llame al 512-974-7400 o hable con el director de la bibilioteca más cercana.

Wednesday, July 27 @ 1pm CST

USCIS Webinar: An Overview of the T Visa, U Visa, and VAWA Self-Petition

This webinar will include an introductory overview of three humanitarian protection programs:

- T visa program designated for victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons;

- U visa program designated for victims of qualifying criminal activity; and

- VAWA self-petitioning provisions under the Violence Against Women Act.

This webinar is appropriate for all interested individuals and will review the eligibility requirements, discuss resources available to petitioners and applicants, and provide responses to pre-submitted questions. To submit questions, email Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov by July 7 and put “T/U/VAWA Webinar” in the subject line. Click here to register.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Vera Institute of Justice is hiring a Fairness to Freedom Campaign Manager
Welcoming America is hiring for multiple positions
Freedom for Families is hiring Organizers
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is hiring a Program Assistant
Youth Rise Texas is hiring a Co-Executive Director
Just Futures Law is hiring Policy Counsel / Policy Advisor
VECINA is hiring a Special Projects Manager
Multicultural Refugee Coalition is hiring for multiple positions
Grassroots Leadership is hiring a Criminal Justice Campaign Coordinator
Caritas is hiring for multiple positions
Austin ISD is hiring Refugee Family Liaison
Refugee Services of Texas is hiring for multiple positions

OTHER RESOURCES

The Austin-Travis County Health Authority has expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include young children and babies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This age group is eligible to receive the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Find more information here.

Deadline to Apply: August 5, 2022

USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is currently accepting applications for four funding opportunities. USCIS will offer up to $20 million in competitive funding for organizations that help prepare immigrants for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics. Learn more about these funding opportunities here.

Guide to Naturalization for People with Disabilities

This advisory from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center describes the various ways that persons with disabilities can navigate the naturalization process, including requesting accommodations, seeking an N-648 disability waiver of the English/civics requirement, and applying for an oath waiver. The advisory describes recent changes to the USCIS’s policy manual and upcoming changes to the N-648. View the advisory here.

TransLatin@ Migrations

Life, Love & Triumphs

TransLatin@ Migrations: Life, Love & Triumphs is a series of short documentaries featuring 25 trans migrants sharing their stories of strength and courage. Watch the videos here.

Migraciones TransLatin@: Vida, amor y triunfos es una película documental que presenta a 25 inmigrantes trans compartiendo sus historias de vida, amor y triunfos. Mire los videos aquí.

DACA Renewal Guides

DACA renewals can now be filed online! United We Dream created a step-by-step guide to make this change as easy as possible for community members to follow. You can find the English version here and the Spanish version here.

ICYMI - Q&A: Applying for U.S. Citizenship // Solicitando la ciudadania estadounidense

In honor of Women's History Month, National Partnership for New Americans talked with immigrant women voters and called on all eligible green-card holders to naturalize this year. During the session, they were joined by an immigration attorney who answered questions from the community about the process of applying for U.S. citizenship. Watch the recording here.

National Immigrant Inclusion Conference

December 11-13, 2022

National Harbor, MD

Register today to join the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) at NIIC, hosted at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

NIIC’s shift from “integration” to “inclusion” is purposeful. NPNA's priority is the full enfranchisement of immigrant communities. This includes a focus on intersections between issues and systems that impact our communities and how critical it is to build strong, cross-cutting alliances.