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A COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO IMMIGRANT ISSUES IN CENTRAL TEXAS
CAN COUNCIL Presentation – March 17, 2014
Angela-Jo Touza-Medina, M.A, LL.M., [email protected] 512.736.1505
Prepared by
Brief History and Context
History First iteration of ISNA in 2003 as a quarterly
networking/educational group Travis County HHS/VS staff (Research & Planning)
stewarded processes to: Conduct the Immigrant Assessment, 2006-2007 Present findings at a Community Forum, June 2007 Provided ongoing staff support to ISNA, 2007- 2012 Revise the Immigrant Assessment, 2010
Building on the Assessment and its findings, ISNA took the lead as a planning and action body around immigrant issues
Our Mission and Vision
Mission
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 the immigrant community.
Vision
ISNA promotes the success and well-being of immigrants in order to secure the long-term prosperity of the entire community.
Our Values Platform
We share information with each other, and educate and outreach to the community at large
We come together in order to have a stronger, broader voice on immigrant issues
We maintain ISNA as a neutral, non-political arena where stakeholders can convene in order to work towards local solutions
We engage and remain in dialogue with partners from all issue areas and sectors
We support one another in our respective work to care for the immigrant community
We respect the dignity and humanity of all immigrants, regardless of status
Our Role in the Community
Neutral Convener A place where all parties can engage in a dialogue
Non-Political Immigrant well-being and community prosperity as a
framework Inclusive Membership and Scope
Any person or organization who embraces the values platform has a right to participate
A forum to address a broad range of immigrant issues
Our Membership
Member Agencies American Gateways* Any Baby Can Austin Community College Austin Free-Net Austin Police Department, Victim
Services Austin Police Department, Office of
Community Liaison Austin Public Library AVANCE Austin Caritas of Austin Casa Marianella English at Work*
*Denotes an agency or group represented on the Steering Committee in 2013.
Foundation Communities / Community Tax Centers*
Holy Word Lutheran Church* The Law Offices of Thomas Esparza, Jr. Literacy Coalition of Central Texas SafePlace Saheli St. Helen Catholic Church* Travis County Health and Human
Services & Veterans Service Travis County Health and Human
Services, Research and Planning Division Travis County Sheriff’s Office Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Victim
Services And individual volunteers*
Our Membership, cont.
Other Contributors City of Austin Commission on
Immigrant Affairs City of Austin Health and Human
Services Department Compass Bank Consulate General of Mexico Goodwill Industries of Central
Texas Grass Roots Leadership The Police Monitor Refugee Services of Central Texas Texas Civil Rights Project Texas Council on Family Violence Texas Rio Grade Legal Aid U.S. Citizenship & Immigration
Service Workers Defense Project/Proyecto
Defensa Laboral (PDL) And individual volunteers
Immigrant Realities
Overarching Immigrant Challenges
Immigration Status, mixed status families, legal services and the fear of Deportation Fear/distrust of service providers Fear/distrust of the criminal justice system Lack of knowledge of immigrant rights and fear to assert them and of retaliation Lack of knowledge of services available Financial constraints In cases of Domestic Violence: Dependence on abuser, fear of retaliation Transportation: This extends beyond inaccessible public transportation systems and
inefficiencies therein to include the inability to obtain a Driver’s License which results in: Difficulty accessing services Difficulty obtaining housing without co-signers Difficulty with transportation/dependency on others Barriers to establishing accounts with utility providers
Lack of support systems, family separation Acculturation: Adjusting to New Life and Culture
Immigrants and the Work Force
Difficulty obtaining Work Authorization – EAD – if they do have it upon arrival
Credentials and licensure- Recertification and having foreign credentials acknowledged is difficult. Very little information about this is available and in cases where it is available the process may be expensive, timely and arduous.
Health and Safety of work environments (day laborers, etc) Limited English and Job Skills Discrimination and Infringement of worker rights. Low wages and Limited access to higher paying
employment opportunities that allow for greater mobility out of ethnic labor markets.
Immigrants and Education
In Schools: New immigrants face unrealistic expectations for English acquisition. Learners are
expected to reach higher standards of academic English proficiency with fewer resources available to them to help achieve basic proficiency.
Schools with high numbers of low ELL students tend to serve more economically disadvantaged populations.
Graduation rates for LEP students are lower than those of other special student populations
Capacity Issues : Lack of culturally sensitive/linguistically appropriate educational system and professional training for staff to meet the needs of students, particularly secondary school students, of diverse cultural background
Parental Involvement: Influenced by Language, socio-economic status and educational attainment Is limited when parent English proficiency is low. This is further negatively
impacted by inconvenient class scheduling times for and unavailable transportation to adult ESL participation
Transportation issues also hinder parent participation in school life
Immigrants and Poverty
On average immigrants make slightly lower earnings that native born US. In Travis County immigrants are heavily represented among lower income groups.
Immigrants and Housing
The Reality Affordable rental housing and the limited
availability thereof is a major challenge in Austin’s expensive housing market
Non-citizens have a higher rate of overcrowding and housing cost burden
Immigrant renters in Travis County suffer from general disinformation or misinformation on tenants’ rights. Abusive or negligent management practices are common. This includes the failure to address safety hazards or public health concerns.
Immigrants and Housing
Additional Barriers Immigrants have relatively lower incomes and limited assets
and more than twice as likely to have no reported income Immigrants have lower rates of home ownership because they
are at greater risk of poverty due to lack of education, job training, and employment opportunities
Language barriers limit the information available about housing, savings and mortgage opportunities
Cultural differences also account for variations in styles of negotiation, decision-making and discussing finances which can also affect the home buying process
Lack of relationships with financial institutions, make immigrants vulnerable to predatory lending and other abusive practices
Immigrants and the Safety Net
Immigrants are more likely to live in poverty regardless of the household composition
For many immigrants the safety net is weakened due to more restrictive eligibility requirements, particularly for federal means-tested public health benefits which depend on: Program requirements Immigrant status, and date of entry, Applicability of exceptions/exemptions Income and resources of sponsors if applicable Additional state and federal criteria.
Eligible low income children, the citizen-children of non-citizen parents receive lower rates of public assistance than their native born counterparts due to fear or confusion that often act as deterrents.
Immigrants and Healthcare The Reality
Immigrants are more likely to lack health insurance due to: Workforce trends: Immigrants, in particular
undocumented immigrants, are less likely to hold jobs with employment based coverage
Eligibility for public insurance. Immigrants often misunderstand MAP and immigrant children are likely to lack insurance. In mixed-status families, parents are often unaware of child eligibility.
Personal characteristics: Underinsurance is more common among 18-24 old foreign born.
Place of origin: in Central Texas, Central Americans have the higher rates of un-insurance,
Immigrants and Healthcare The Reality
Immigrants are less likely to access healthcare services, and when they do it is through the safety net.
Immigrant health declines with acculturation Language barriers, cultural differences, and
provider cultural competence affect: Access to healthcare The quality of the care and treatment received Immigrant ability to navigate the healthcare
system
Immigrants and Healthcare Challenges
Cost of healthcare/Insurance coverage and limited access to prescription drugs due to financial constraints
Limited capacity of safety net providers Transportation to medical services
Immigrants and Healthcare:Mental Health Challenges
Mental health stressors and trauma: Culture of origin stigmas or traumas around
reporting mental health issues Mental health needs of immigrant patients may
be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed by practitioners Cultures differ on what constitutes mental distress Mental health assessment tools may not me
culturally sensitive to accurately determine culturally variations of mental health needs
Immigrants and the Criminal Justice System
Lack of knowledge about the criminal justice system results in fear
Family violence is an issue of concern, as immigrant victims of family violence many have unique barriers to leaving their abusers including: Cultural norms and values Lack of information regarding resources Absence of extended family and other social support
systems
Immigrants and the need for Legal Services
Access to legal services is limited by funding sources, regulatory barriers that may prohibit service provision to undocumented immigrants
Affordability and cultural appropriateness of legal services in the areas of immigration, family, criminal and employment law
Sources
A Community Profile: An Updated Demographic Profile of Immigrants in Travis County (2010)
Service Capacity Survey Results (2011) 2006-2007 Travis County Immigrant Assessment,
Travis County Research and Planning Division
Our Current Work
Immigrant Services Resource Directory
Product: A directory of services needed by immigrants, including healthcare, English language instruction, basic needs, and more.
Purpose: This referral resource will help effectively resettle immigrants in a respectful, efficient way by allowing them to gain access to appropriate, critical services.
Uses: Intended for case workers and service providers to improve information and referral.
Access: Completed in January 2010 and available for download on the ISNA website.
Family Safety Planning Toolkit
Product: A workbook with tools and worksheets addressing “Know Your Rights” information, family and children’s safety (including communication, guardianship, and medical planning), financial and legal planning, etc.
Purpose: To educate immigrant residents about their rights, and to assist individuals and families with preparing an emergency plan for their household.
Uses: Providers working with immigrants can use the toolkit to help them plan for their families’ well-being. Providers can also distribute materials to clients.
Access: Completed in April 2010 and available for download on the ISNA website
Immigrant Public Safety Training
Also known as RISE: Refugee and Immigrant Safety Education Program by Austin Police Department
Product: A public safety training, being developed in partnership between ISNA and the Austin Police Department
Purpose: To increase immigrants’ awareness of U.S. laws and their understanding of their rights and responsibilities as Austin residents
Uses: Interactive training conducted by APD officers and cadets, within the agency setting, to increase public safety knowledge and build trust in law enforcement
Educational Roundtables
Legislative Monitoring Policy analyst guest speakers from Texas Council on
Family Violence and American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants, Public Safety and Local Law
Enforcement Guest Speakers from APD (Chief of Police) and TCSO
(Lieutenant Day Watch East) Federal Enforcement under a New Administration
Guest speakers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (San Antonio Field Office Director) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (Area Director)
Welcoming Initiative – (inactive)
Product: A toolkit for speaking ambassadors Purpose: To change public dialogue and opinion
about immigrants in Austin through public education
Uses: Training and presentations at schools, churches, civic organizations, etc.
Legal Services Workgroup (inactive)
Products: A networked group of legal service providers in Austin and
San Antonio who meet every 2-3 months A Capacity Inventory of their U, T, and VAWA cases,
updated quarterly and posted online Purpose: Coordination and communication on a regional
level will enable: Better readiness to respond to emerging community needs Better preparedness for potential federal policy changes
New ISNA Website
http://isnaustin.wordpress.com/
Download all of the products discussed today
Looking to the Future …
2014 Projects and Plans
Continue outreach/distribution of completed publications
Continue the RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Safety Education ) program
Continue to monitor emerging issues (e.g. 2015 Legislative Session) and respond to community needs as they arise
Continue Quarterly educational roundtables Collaborate with the Austin Commission on
Immigrant Affairs , Health and Human Services and Economic Development Department on defining Austin’s vision as a Welcoming City
Key “Take Home” Messages
Immigrants are a key population in the City of Austin/ Travis County
ISNA has been and continues to be a good investment – a platform to build on
Travis County’s support was crucial in the past; ISNA is now actively seeking additional and diverse partnerships to sustain its institutional structure and work
We are a resource to you for knowledge, expertise and connection to the immigrant community
Attend our quarterly meetings. Our next meeting: Date: April 9th, 2014 10:30-12PM Location:
Terrazas Public Library
1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.
Austin, TX, 78702
Visit the ISNA website: http://isnaustin.wordpress.com/
Our publications and tools are available online, including the 2010 Immigrant Community Profile.
For More Information