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September Immigrant Affairs Update |
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Celebrate Welcoming Week!
September 8-17, 2023 marks the 11th anniversary of Welcoming Week, organized by the Welcoming America Network. Through Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. Read on below for ways that you can celebrate Welcoming Week here in Austin! |
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Read a Book from Austin Public Library's List of Recommended Reading 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 titles for readers of all ages that celebrate and examine the experiences of various immigrant communities. Let us know what titles you're excited to read! |
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Support an Immigrant-Owned Restaurant / Food Truck
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Attend a Citizenship Information Session!
On September 23rd, join us for the first of three information sessions leading up to our citizenship clinic on October 21!
During the information session, attorneys from American Gateways will discuss what documents and information you need to prepare in order to complete the N-400 application for naturalization. The attorneys will also be able to answer questions about your specific eligibility.
*A larger version of the flyer is included below. This flyer will also be available online in Spanish and Vietnamese shortly. |
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Every Wednesday, August 30 - November 15 @ 6:00pm CST
FREE ESL Classes
Spicewood Springs Branch Library
8637 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759
Join us for FREE ESL Classes, hosted by Austin Public Library. No registration is required. Bring a notebook and a pencil to take notes. If you have any questions, please call 512-974-3800. |
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cada miércoles, del 30 de agosto al 15 de noviembre a las 6:00pm CST
clases de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL) GRATIS
Biblioteca Spicewood Springs
8637 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759
Únase a nosotros para clases de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL) GRATIS, organizadas por la Biblioteca Pública de Austin (Austin Public Library). No es necesario registrarse para las clases. Traiga una libreta y un lápiz para tomar notas. Si tiene cualquier pregunta, por favor marque al 512-974-3800.
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Get Your Enhanced Library Card Today!
We are excited to share that the Enhanced Library Card pilot program has officially begun! This has been a successful collaboration between Austin Public Library, the Equity Office and several other city departments and community organizations. Stop by one of the three pilot locations and get yours today and help us spread the word within your communities.
- Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln
- St. John Branch, 7500 Blessing Ave.
- Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd.
If you're interested in having APL's mobile outreach team issue enhanced library cards at your upcoming event, please complete this form.
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- Regardless of immigration status, people in Minnesota can begin applying for driver's licenses.
- The Los Angeles City Council is pushing for a probe into Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over his busing of migrants to the city, including whether he has committed any crime and if the city can pursue a lawsuit.
- Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois signed two pieces of legislation that will help remove barriers to licensing for internationally trained physicians. This legislation is particularly critical for Illinois, as the state faces a major doctor shortage. Currently, there are 12,000 Illinois residents who have international medical degrees but are prohibited from using them to provide care.
- DHS recently announced updates to modernize the family reunification parole (FRP) processes for Cuba and Haiti.
- DHS recently announced the extension and redesignation of TPS for Ukraine as well as TPS for Sudan.
- A U.S. District Judge has ordered the immediate removal of navigational buoys from the Rio Grande River in a lawsuit involving the Department of Justice and the State of Texas.
- Shortly thereafter, a court order ruling will allow the buoys to remain on the U.S.-Mexico border for now.
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DHS is extending from 60 days to 18 months the periods to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan.
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Wednesday, September 13 @ 5:00pm CST
On The Front Lines: A panel on migrants, bussing, and rapid response efforts
It’s been one year of various politicians bussing newcomers from the southern border of the U.S. into other states. An incredible number of lessons have been learned, and best practices developed, from this trial by fire. All panel participants have been on the front lines in major cities (New York, Denver, Chicago and DC) where migrants have been bussed, and are prepared to share all of their experiences to inform and educate the public at large on these events, which continue to unfold. Join the webinar here. Passcode is 346853
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Wednesday, September 20 @ 1:00pm CST
USCIS Naturalization Test Redesign: Flaws in Design and Transparency
Attorneys from Immigrant Legal Resource Center and guest speaker Bill Bliss will give an overview of the USCIS naturalization test redesign announced in December 2022. The redesign proposes a reading-based multiple-choice test to evaluate a naturalization applicant’s knowledge of civics, instead of the current oral questions. A new test of English knowledge would involve photo prompts that an applicant would need to describe. This would replace the current evaluation of English which occurs during the interview as the officer asks questions and verifies information from the N-400 naturalization application. Educators of low-literacy adults believe that these changes would make the test significantly more difficult for applicants. This is a free webinar. Learn more and register here. |
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Friday, September 22 @ 3:00pm CST
Emergency Preparedness Fair
Austin Community College - Eastview Campus
3101 Webberville Road, Austin, TX 78702
The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is hosting the second annual Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair. The event is free, family-friendly and open to the public.
Attendees will learn tips to prepare their home, family, and community for emergencies. A basic emergency kit will be available to those who attend, one per household and while supplies last. Copies of the Neighborhood Preparedness Guide will be available to help attendees make a plan. Kid friendly games, sips and snacks will be provided. Interpreters will be available on-site in Spanish and American Sign Language. Other languages can be requested by contacting 3-1-1. Learn more here. |
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Saturday, September 23 @ 10:30am CST
Citizenship Clinic Information Session #1
North Austin YMCA - 1000 W. Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78758
Join us for the first of three information sessions leading up to our citizenship clinic in October! During the information session, attorneys from American Gateways will discuss what documents and information you need to prepare in order to complete the N-400 application for naturalization. The attorneys will also be able to answer questions about your specific eligibility. More information will be posted here.
Interpretation will be provided in Spanish and Vietnamese. If you require ASL or additional interpretation services, please contact Rocío Villalobos at 512-974-7972 or via email rocio.villalobos@austintexas.gov. |
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Thursday, September 28 @ 3:00pm CST
Digital Security 101 Training
In this online training, Just Futures Law will review digital security risks for communities targeted by ICE surveillance and share tips to keep our communities and our organizing safe – online and offline. This is a beginner-level digital security training for organizers and advocates working for immigrant rights.
Note: The training will not be recorded (if you can’t make it this time – stay tuned for future trainings!). The training will be conducted with English/Spanish interpretation and materials will be provided in Spanish and English. Register here. |
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Saturday, September 30 @ 10:30am CST
Equity Action Team Meeting
Montopolis Recreation Center & Resilience Hub
1200 Montopolis Drive, Austin, TX 78741
We are excited to have you join us for our in-person September EAT meeting! We'll connect over brunch, and then get our meeting started by 11:00am. For September, we will be joined again by the City of Austin's Resilience Office. Additional speakers/activities TBD. Register here for the meeting.
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Little Amal will be stopping in Austin this October! Visit this page for updates and to learn more about how to see and support Little Amal during her visit. |
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ICYMI: National Partnership for New Americans hosted an Immigration Attorney Q&A in Korean and shared information about how to begin the process of applying for naturalization. Watch the recording here. |
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