|
|
|
During the month of June, we celebrate Juneteenth, Pride Month, World Refugee Day, and Immigrant Heritage Month. Check out this spotlight from PBS' WORLD channel focusing on new films and streaming stories that demonstrate the beauty and power of our Black, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, and all their intersections.
Boards and Commissions. Looking for ways to get involved in your community? Consider applying for a position on one of the City's many commissions! These bodies are important in that they enable the public to participate in Austin's government processes. Their activities help shape and influence public policy, because they lend a more diverse viewpoint for the City Council to consider. Check out the vacancies listed below and apply here. |
|
|---|
|
|
- Bexar County commissioners recently approved a $1M legal defense fund for immigrants facing deportation. The only criteria to qualify is living in Bexar County and the inability to afford hiring an attorney.
- Texas lawmakers are urging President Biden to expand work permits for long-term undocumented residents.
- Wrist-worn GPS monitors are now the fastest-growing electronic monitoring type used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a "Recent Arrivals" docket process in five cities to expedite the asylum cases certain border arrivals. Immigrant advocates believe the new docket process doesn't effectively tackle the inefficiencies of the immigration court system.
- The DOJ recently sued Oklahoma to block a law similar to Texas' SB4 from going into effect. The Justice Department says the Oklahoma statute violates the U.S. Constitution because immigration is a federal matter. The DOJ has also sued to block a similar law in Iowa.
- The Biden administration recently announced plans to increase criminal prosecutions for immigration violations at the border, which will lead to a rise in prosecutions under Sections 1325 (unauthorized entry) and 1326 (unauthorized reentry) of Chapter 8 of the U.S. Code. Studies of 8 U.S.C. §§ 1325 and 1326 alongside other enforcement programs show that such prosecutions do not deter immigration, but instead add layers of punishment onto populations already facing devastating civil immigration penalties.
- Earlier this week, President Biden signed an executive order related to immigration enforcement at our borders. When activated, the Suspension of Entry executive order will prevent any noncitizen without a CBP One app appointment or who does not qualify for an existing lawful pathway from entering the United States and applying for asylum. Special exceptions will be made for unaccompanied children and victims of severe forms of human trafficking. During this suspension, immigrants who enter the United States and do not qualify for one of the exceptions will generally be ineligible for asylum, removed to their home country or a third country, face at least a 5-year reentry bar, and risk possible criminal charges.
- The consequences of the Suspension of Entry executive order are already being felt by migrants. Asylum will remain suspended until average daily arrests fall below 1,500 for a week straight. The last month that crossings were that low for that long was in July 2020, during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
|---|
|
Saturday, June 8 @ 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM CST
Childcare Biz Bootcamp
Austin PBS: 6101 Highland Campus Dr, Building 3000, Austin, TX 78752
Economic Growth Business Incubator is hosting a bootcamp for licensed and operating childcare providers, with the objective of helping childcare providers become more profitable. This bootcamp is FREE - register and learn more here.
sabado, 8 de junio desde las 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM CST
Bootcamp: emprendiendo en el cuidado infantil
Austin PBS: 6101 Highland Campus Dr, Building 3000, Austin, TX 78752
Economic Growth Business Incubator ha diseñado un entrenamiento para proveedores de guarderías en el hogar con licencia y en funcionamiento, con el objetivo de ayudar a los guarderías en el hogar a ser más rentables. Este taller es GRATUITO - regístrese aquí. |
|
|---|
|
Saturday, June 8 @ 11:00 AM CST
World Refugee Day
Bullock Texas State History Museum - 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Established by the United Nations in 2000 and first celebrated on June 20, 2001, World Refugee Day raises awareness of the plight of refugees throughout the world. Austin will celebrate World Refugee Day on June 8 this year-earlier than the UN designated International World Refugee Day on June 20. This celebration, sponsored by the Bullock Museum and member organizations of the Austin Refugee Roundtable, celebrates new American citizens and recognizes the courage and resilience of refugee families and individuals. The event is free and open to the public. |
|
|---|
|
|
Thursday, June 20 @ 12:00 PM CST
Assessing the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program
The Center for Migration Studies of New York will host a webinar and discussion in honor of World Refugee Day. Experts in the field will mark the progress made by the current presidential administration in restoring the US Refugee Admissions Program and suggest areas for further improvement. A Q&A session will follow immediately after the discussion. Register here. |
|
|---|
|
|
Thursday, June 20 @ 12:00 PM CST
Immigration Summit
This fifth annual Immigration Summit will explore the unique challenges facing immigrant children and their families. Join us to learn about child-forward immigration policies, access to basic needs and mental health resources, education, and how to center children in the narrative surrounding immigrants and immigration. Our summit will bring together child advocates and experts from across the nation. Register here.
|
|
|---|
|
|
Tuesday, June 25 @ 1:00 PM CST
Pride in Action: Affirming Representation and Services for LGBTQIA+ Immigrants
June is Pride month! Celebrate with this comprehensive training on LGBTQIA+ cultural awareness and inclusive services. Learn steps to foster safety for LGBTQ+ clients, navigate cultural differences sensitively, and prepare cases through an informed lens. Additionally, explore challenges and legal issues facing queer and trans immigrants. Presenter Gabriel Sanchez (they/she/he), Special Project Director of LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Project at Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, brings extensive experience training immigrant-serving organizations on LGBTQ+ clients. Co-presenter Laura Choi (she/her), staff attorney at Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, has seven years of experience representing immigrant survivors. Register here. |
|
|---|
|
|
Friday, June 28 @ 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM CST
Mental Health First Aid for Adults
*virtual training - Texas Refugee Wellness Program
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 training will be virtual - register here.
The Texas Refugee Wellness Program (TXRWP) empowers local organizations and community stakeholders to feel confident supporting refugees building resiliency and encouraging them to seek support for mental health and wellbeing. The TXRWP promotes refugee mental health initiatives and provides mental health awareness trainings across Texas for those who interact with newcomer populations. |
|
|---|
|
|
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is announcing the opening of the application period for a new funding opportunity under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: the Citizenship and Integration Training Academy (CITA). CITA is a technical assistance grant that will provide up to $2.6 million in funding to help organizations establish new citizenship programs and train new citizenship instructors. Learn more here.
|
|
|---|
|
|
The Base Refugee Wellness Program (BRWP) at Center for Survivors of Torture (CST) is accepting new referrals! BRWP helps refugees and asylees by offering a variety of FREE services including weekly groups, case management, and peer support to promote wellness and support systems in the US. Interpretation services are always provided. The referral process is simple. Please send the following information to Megan Sissom, LMSW, megan@cstnet.org - individual's name, contact information, and primary language.
|
|
|---|
|
|
Camp GirlForward provides a space for girls to simultaneously build their English skills and succeed academically while exploring their identities and learning about the world around them. During the summer, Camp GirlForward utilizes a literacy-based curriculum that explores the themes of identity, community, and power through classroom instruction and field trips. All girls ages 14-21 in grades 9-12 resettled as refugees, asylum seekers, or immigrants who currently live in Austin are eligible for GirlForward programs. Priority is currently given to entering and enrolled McCallum & Northeast HS students. Learn more here. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
 | | |
|  |
|
|
|
|
