brandon.kroos@austintexas.gov
March Immigrant Affairs Update
The City of Austin seeks a dynamic equity leader as its next Chief Equity Officer. This executive-level position is located in the Management Services Department and reports to the Chief of Staff. The successful candidate will have both internal and public-facing responsibilities to facilitate, advocate for, and institutionalize equitable and inclusive policies, practices, and outcomes. Identifying the right person to fill this important role is a priority. 
 
You can view the job listing and apply here.
The deadline to apply is March 15, 2023.
 
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Community engagement is instrumental in the process and will be included at multiple steps in the recruitment process. The City is requesting your feedback via survey (https://publicinput.com/chiefequityofficer) to aid in determining candidates to bring forward for interview. The deadline to complete the public input survey is March 15, 2023.
 
LOCAL UPDATES
 
Interfaith Action of Central Texas: Call for Volunteers
 
Interfaith Action (iACT) cultivates peace and respect through interfaith dialogue, service and celebration. Please email Volunteer Coordinator Mondra Wright at mwright@interfaithtexas.org with any questions.
brandon.kroos@austintexas.gov
American Gateways: Call for Volunteers
 
American Gateways' Austin office will be co-hosting a Citizenship Clinic with the City of Austin, NALEO & Texas AFL-CIO on April 22, 2023. They are looking for volunteers to help! There will be a Volunteer Training for the event on April 3rd at noon. If you’re interested, please contact Edna Yang at ednay@americangateways.org
STATE & NATIONAL UPDATES
  • Texas Senate Bill 147 (SB 147) was recently introduced. This bill would prohibit all citizens of China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing real estate solely on the basis of nationality and immigration status.
  • Texas House Bill 2576 (HB 2576) was recently introduced. This bill would allow Department of Public Safety (DPS) employees working under Operation Lone Star, who suspect a child of being "trafficked," to separate, fingerprint, and interview minors separate from an accompanying adult. Advocates are concerned about implications for mass family separations. As written, this interviewing and separation of children could occur anywhere in the state.
  • Texas Senate Bill 237 (SB 237 / HB 82) would expand Operation Lone Star through an "interstate compact" and allow local officers to act on immigration enforcement.
  • Governor Abbott and members of the Texas House of Representatives are seeking $4.6B to fund the expansion of Operation Lone Star.

  • The Florida Senate passed a bill allowing Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration to relocate undocumented immigrants from anywhere in the U.S. to Democratic-led states and "sanctuary cities." The bill will allocate $10 million to Florida’s Department of Emergency Management to implement the program. The legislation formalizes an ongoing practice begun last year of Republican governors sending migrants to other cities.

  • The Department of Labor expanded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) authority to issue certifications to support U and T nonimmigrant visa applications. OSHA’s new authority – effective March 30, 2023 – will strengthen its ability to protect all workers, including those whose immigration status or other social and cultural inequities discourage them from sharing information with investigators or reporting workplace safety and health issues. The authority will also provide the agency with a critical tool for protecting immigrant and migrant worker communities regardless of their lack of immigration status or temporary employment authorization.
  • The Supreme Court declined to hear oral arguments in the Title 42 case. The action seemed to be spurred by the Biden administration’s recent announcement that it plans to end the COVID public health emergency in May 2023.
  • The Biden administration recently announced its most restrictive border control measures to date. This proposed federal rule would deny asylum for most people at the southern border who travel through a third country to get to the United States. As written, the rule would require that people apply for and be denied asylum in that third country before applying in the U.S. The rule is scheduled to go into effect the day that Title 42 expulsions end and would not apply to unaccompanied children.
  • The Biden administration is reportedly considering reviving the practice of detaining migrant families who cross the border without authorization.
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Wednesday, March 8 @ 2pm CST
Celebrating Women's History Month: Refugee & Immigrant Women in Leadership
 
This event will highlight the contributions that women make when it comes to advocacy, women’s rights, and social justice. Panelists will speak on their personal experiences and challenges as refugee and immigrant women, the importance of striving for equality and leadership roles. Register here.
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.
Saturday, March 11 @ 9am CST
Multicultural Refugee Coalition
Fruit Tree Planting at New Leaf Agriculture Farm
 

TreeFolks will be planting 56 5-gallon fruit trees at New Leaf Agriculture Farm. New Leaf Agriculture is a social enterprise of Multicultural Refugee Coalition that trains and employs refugee farmers from traditional farming cultures in dignified work that reconnects them to farming in their new communities. For questions, please contact volunteer@treefolks.org or (512) 761-8738. RSVP to volunteer here.
Wednesday, March 15 @ 1pm CST
Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up (District 8)
Hampton Branch Library - 5125 Convict Hill Road
 
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.
Thursday, March 23 @ 6pm CST
Refugee Leadership Development Program
Organizing Campaign Planning: How to Put Together an Effective Campaign
 
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.
Saturday, April 22 @ 9am CST
Citizenship Clinic
Asian American Resource Center - 8401 Cameron Road
 
The City of Austin's Equity Office and Asian American Resource Center are partnering with NALEO, American Gateways, and Texas AFL-CIO to host a citizenship clinic this spring. The first 50 participants will receive free one-on-one assistance to complete the N400 citizenship application. Registration will take place from 9-10am the morning of April 22.
 
In addition to receiving assistance with the N400 application, we will also have representatives from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on-site. They will be conducting mock citizenship interviews to help applicants prepare for their interview. We will also have a mini resource fair where attendees can access information and resources.
 
If you have any questions or need any accommodations, please contact Rocío Villalobos via email (rocio.villalobos@austintexas.gov) or phone (512-974-7972).
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
 
OTHER RESOURCES
Deadline to Apply: Sunday, March 15, 2023
URGENT Fellowship
 
The URGENT Fellowship is a program for organizers that will equip you with necessary skills to advance efforts to increase publicly-funded legal representation for those facing deportation while building power in their communities through in-depth leadership skills training. Find out more here or email laila@partnershipfornewamericans.org
Deadline to Apply: Sunday, March 15, 2023
Ethnic Based Community Organization Grant
 
Through the We Are All America- Opportunity For All Table, the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is pleased to announce the re-launch of our Ethnic Based Community Organization (ECBO) Grant Application. WAAA will be awarding $3,000 mini-grants to 3 organizations involved in local refugee and immigrant advocacy and policy initiatives. The deadline to apply is March 15th, 2023 3:00PM EST. To learn more, visit the application here. 

Presented by Welcoming America in partnership with the City of San José, the Welcoming Interactive is an annual conference that highlights successful practices and inspiring stories about immigrant inclusion, programs, policies, and partnerships. From economic development, to civic engagement, government leadership, and beyond, the conference features presentations and interactive sessions from a diverse range of inclusion experts. Attendees learn about local innovations from peer communities and come away with new ideas and energy to foster welcoming places for all. Learn more and register here.
Beyond Title 42: Further Restrictions on the Right to Asylum in the United States
 
ICYMI: Watch the recoding of this panel discussion regarding the proposed asylum ban. Experts discussed the potential humanitarian effects of the new proposed rule that would presume an asylum-seeker is ineligible for asylum due to transit through another country, known as the “asylum ban.” Speakers talked about the proposed rule’s impact on refugees seeking asylum, its use in expedited removal, and how it would affect communities on both sides of the border. 
brandon.kroos@austintexas.gov
brandon.kroos@austintexas.gov
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