October Immigrant Affairs Update
SOLIDARITY WITH HAITI
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: HAITIAN BRIDGE ALLIANCE
Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as "The Bridge," is a collective of organizations & community activists who have come together to help build a solid infrastructure for a Haitian community and assist all Black Immigrants. Although HBA is based in California, they have been active and on the ground supporting Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico border.
 
In response to the anti-Blackness that Haitians are experiencing at the U.S.-Mexico border and with the deportation flights to Haiti, they put together an action toolkit with resources and messaging to help amplify their efforts. To date, at least 67 expulsion flights have departed to Haiti with over 7100 people. You can learn more about their work to stop the deportations and how to support their efforts here.
 
*Additionally, HBA is looking for attorneys or groups that are able to assist Haitians in detention. If you or anyone you know is interested or able to assist, please put your contact information in this shared doc.
 
For other Haitian-led organizations active in Texas, check out:
LOCAL UPDATES
New Report: Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Diverse Populations
 
The New American Economy has released the findings of a five-city COVID-19 Community Impact Survey designed to gather insights directly from Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and immigrant residents about the impact of COVID-19 on their economic and social well-being and sense of belonging. The survey effort, funded by the Walmart Foundation, reached more than 2,100 residents across the cities of Atlanta, Austin, Denver, Louisville, and Tulsa.
 
A huge thank you to our community partners who supported our survey efforts - Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, Caritas, El Buen Samaritano, and Refugee Services of Texas. Read the report here and stay tuned for a separate forthcoming report that will detail findings that are specific to Austin.
[Image Description: The logo for the New American Economy. On the left, there is a right triangle that is the color green. Next to the triangle it reads "New American Economy."]
ICYMI: New Report on Advancing Immigrant Incorporation in Austin, TX
 
The City of Austin’s Equity Office partnered with Dr. Ruth Wasem and her Immigrant Incorporation Team from the LBJ School of Public Affairs to produce a report about advancing immigrant incorporation in the City of Austin. Dr. Wasem previously produced similar reports for the City of Dallas and the City of San Antonio. Read the report here.
[Image Description: The logo for the LBJ School of Public Affairs. At the top sits the shield for the school - inside there is an open book, a star in the middle, and leaves surrounding the star. Beneath the shield are the words "Texas LBJ School."]
Seeking Dari and Pashto Speakers
 

New American Neighbors and the Center for Victims of Torture are collaborating on developing brief educational videos in Dari and Pashto to support Afghan arrivals. They are recruiting Dari and Pashto speaking community leaders and navigators of all genders, who are also fluent in English, and who are located anywhere in the U.S., to participate in one 2-hour virtual focus group in English to inform the content of the videos.

 

The date/time of the focus group will be determined after reaching out to potential participants based on availability. Participants will be compensated with a gift card. Please share this message with anyone who may be interested. Feel free to contact Paul Stein at New American Neighbors (paulsteinrefugees@gmail.com) for more information or if you are interested in joining.
[Image Description: The logo for the Center for Victims of Torture. In the middle are the words "The Center for Victims of Torture." Surrounding the text are overlapping circles in red, orange, and yellow.] 
El Buen Samaritano Call for Volunteers
 
El Buen Samaritano is looking for volunteers for their fall 2021 programming! The following opportunities exist:
- Adult English as a Second Language Program (virtual)
- Youth After School Academic Enrichment Program (virtual)
- Food Panty (in-person)
 
Contact volunteer@elbuen.org to learn more and apply online.
[Image Description: The logo for El Buen Samaritano. There is a graphic that is supposed to represent a church entrance in the background with a cross at the top of the building. Superimposed onto the graphic are two hands reaching towards each other, one from the left and one from the right. Beneath the graphic, it reads "El Buen Samaritano: Strengthening Families."]
STATE & NATIONAL UPDATES
UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS
 
October 11 - October 17
National Week of Action in Support of Black Migrants
 
Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) and partners are hosting a National Week of Action for Black Migrants. Please sign up here for updates on actions that you can take to amplify the experiences of Black migrants and demands for justice.
 
There will be an event in Austin on Sunday, October 17th - make sure to sign up for updates in order to stay in the loop about the specifics of the event!
[Image Description: A digital flyer. At the top it reads "Oct 11th - Oct 17th, 2021." Below that, it reads, "National Week of Action in Support of Black Migrants. Follow the link to participate! bit.ly/nationalweekforblackmigrants" In the bottom left corner is the logo for BAJI - Black Alliance for Just Immigration.]
Friday, October 15 @ 10:30am CST
Immigrant Services Network of Austin monthly meeting
 
Sign up for ISNA membership here in order to receive access to the Zoom meeting information. 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 our immigrant communities.
[Image Description: The logo for Immigrant Services Network of Austin. On the left, there is a blue circle with generic outlines of people holding hands around a circle. To the right, it reads "Immigrant Services Network of Austin."]
Saturday, October 16 @ 10am CST
Saturday Book Club: The Book of Rosy
 
Join Refugee Services of Texas for the latest installment of their book club. Compelling and urgently important, The Book of Rosy is the unforgettable story of one brave mother and her fight to save her family. There will be a Q&A with author Rosayra Pablo Cruz and then break out into smaller community groups to dive into a deeper discussion about the book. Register here.
[Image Description: A digital flyer. The background is a photo of a desert landscape. Superimposed on top is the image of a cover of a book, which is black, and the title reads "The Book of Rosy: A Mother's Story of Separation at the Border." Above the image of the book cover it reads "Saturday Book Club, 10/16, 10am CST."]
Various Dates in October
Fostering Belonging Individually and Structurally: A Webinar Series
 
The series features three videos and accompanying webinars on belonging: what it means, what it looks like, and how we can create belonging as individuals with structural impact. Register here.
 
10/14: Belonging as the antidote to othering
10/21: Interpersonal othering and belonging
10/28: Structural othering and belonging
[Image Description: The logo for Welcoming America. At the top it reads "Welcoming America" and next to that is a solid blue outline of the map of the United States. Below that, it reads "Building a nation of neighbors."]
October 27 @ 12pm CST
Free Zoom Training on the New Immigration Enforcement Priorities
 
DHS has just announced new immigration enforcement priorities. Join Immigrant Legal Resource Center's webinar to learn about the new policies and learn some organizing and advocacy tips to elevate individual cases to members of congress and DHS Headquarters. Register here.
[Image Description: Logo for Immigrant Legal Resource Center. In the center, there is a solid blue circle with white letters in the middle that read "ilrc." Surrounding the circle are the words "Immigrant Legal Resource Center."]
COVID RESOURCES
The City of Austin has dropped down to Stage 3 of COVID-19 risk-based guidelines. Find resources here. People with a moderately to severely compromised immune system are eligible to receive a third shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine through APH. 
[Image Description: A digital flyer for vaccination options in Austin. Online appointment scheduling: covid19.austintexas.gov / Phone Scheduling: Call 3-1-1 or (512)974-2000 and leave your name and phone number. APH will call you back to schedule an appointment. / Walk-Up (no appointment) clinics: Little Walnut Creek Library (Moderna & Pfizer): 835 W Rundberg Lane, Southeast Library (Moderna & Pfizer): 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd, Delco Activity Center (Moderna & Pfizer): 4601 Pecan Brook Dr, Pflugerville Library (Moderna & Pfizer): 1008 W Pfluger St, Pflugerville, Sims Elementary Gym (Moderna & Pfizer): 1203 Springdale Rd. For walk-up (no appointment) clinic days and hours, see the upcoming events on austintexas.gov/COVID-19 or call 3-1-1 or (512)974-2000. / Mobile Vaccination Program: If you are homebound, call 3-1-1 or (512)974-2000, leave your name and phone number, and APH will schedule a visit for you, your caregivers and household. / Other Providers: visit vaccines.gov for other vaccine providers and availability near you.]
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
 
 
OTHER RESOURCES
Recommended Reading from Austin Public Library for Welcoming Week
 
Welcoming Week is an opportunity to celebrate communities and the people that make them places where everyone belongs.
 
Austin Public Library is proud to welcome all those who call Austin home, whether they are long-time residents or recent arrivals. Check out these fiction and nonfiction titles for readers of all ages that celebrate and examine the experiences of immigrants.
 
Find the list of recommended reading here. Let us know what titles you're excited to read!
[Image Description: A digital flyer. In the background is an assortment of various book covers. In the middle, there is a white rectangle with a banner at the top that reads "Belonging Begins With Us." Below that, it says, "Welcoming Week is an opportunity to celebrate communities and the people that make them places where everyone belongs. APL is proud to welcome all who call Austin home. Check out these fiction and nonfiction titles for readers of all ages that celebrate and examine the experience of immigrants."]
The Asian American Foundation Rapid Response Toolkit
 
This toolkit was created as a landing place for our Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and allies to mobilize at scale across nonprofits, media outlets, and advocacy and public safety groups, to protect AANHPI everywhere. A better future is a multi-faceted effort. View the toolkit here.
[Image Description: There's an orange rectangle with the words "Rapid Response Toolkit" in white written inside of the rectangle.]
ICYMI: Afghan Briefing - Policy, Resettlement & Actions
 
We Are All America recently hosted a panel of experts who provided an update on what's happening in Afghanistan. Watch the recording here.
[Image Description: A digital flyer. At the top it reads, "Afghan briefing: policy, resettlement and actions. August 25th, 10am PT/ 1pm ET." Below that text, there are two rectangles next to each other. The small rectangle to the left reads "August 25th." The rectangle to the right reads, "Come join us as we feature panelists who will be providing updates on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan as well as providing follow-up in regards to policy, resettlement, and action." Beneath these rectangles, an image of the Afghan flag is in the bottom left-hand corner.]
Creative Placemaking & Welcoming: Tips and Tools for Integrating Arts, Culture, and Immigration
 
With warm weather & in-person gatherings on the horizon, the Welcoming America Network presents its latest toolkit. Created in partnership with Art Place America, this tool provides case studies & models for using the arts to build belonging. Check it out here.
[Image Description: Illustration of a group of people gathered around a table, sharing food and beverages, and being in community with each other. To the right of this illustration, it reads: Creative Placemaking and Welcoming: Tips and Tools for Integrating Arts, Culture, and Immigration.
 
Taste of Belonging
 
Welcoming America Network has launched a toolkit and resource guide in the form of a cookbook. Taste of Belonging: A Collection of Recipes and Ways to Strengthen Community Across Differences. The cookbook is intended for individuals and organizations seeking fresh inspiration and tips for building connections and decreasing prejudice in communities.
[Image Description: A banner with a teal background that states, "Taste of Belonging" and beneath that, "A collection of recipes and ways to strengthen community across differences". To the right of the text there are three different white bowls that each contain different herbs. One bowl of herbs is red, another black, and the last green.]
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