San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Vice Chair Paz called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
Present: Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Khojasteh, Rahimi
Not present: Chair Kennelly (excused), Commissioner Radwan (excused)
Staff present: Director Pon, Deputy Director Fernández Sykes, Commission Clerk Shore.

2. Public Comment
There was no public comment.

3. Action Items: Approval of previous minutes
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Approval of March 6, 2019 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
Vice Chair Paz invited Commissioners to review the minutes from the March 6, 2019 Executive Committee. Commissioner Khojasteh motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Rahimi seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

b. Approval of March 18, 2019 Communications Committee Meeting Minutes
The Communications Committee has not submitted their minutes and asked if they need to approve their committee’s minutes before sharing them with the Executive Committee. Director Pon stated that she did not believe ad-hoc committees need to approve their minutes before submitting them to the Executive Committee. Vice Chair Paz asked if the Executive Committee needs to approve ad-hoc committee minutes. Director Pon said that in order to err on the side of caution the Executive Committee can approve ad-hoc committee minutes. The Full Commission does not need to approve them. Director Pon will check into the matter.

c. Approval of March 18, 2019 Immigration Policy Committee Meeting Minutes
Vice Chair Paz invited Commissioners to review the Policy Committee meeting minutes from March 18, 2019. Commissioner Rahimi motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Khojasteh seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

4. Discussion/Action Items: Reports and Recommendations
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Approval of Report Related to March 11, 2019 Special Testimony
Commissioner Rahimi has not completed the report and deferred the item to the next meeting.

b. Approval of Recommendations in IRC Annual Report
Director Pon asked the Executive Committee to vote to approve the recommendations in the Commission’s annual report. Commissioner Rahimi suggested adding a reference to education. Director Pon proposed that the second recommendation be rewritten to say, “Help keep San Franciscans in their homes and address the housing, nutritional, educational, and health care needs of vulnerable or underserved families struggling to survive.” Commissioner Khojasteh motioned to approve the recommendations with that change. Commissioner Rahimi seconded the motion. The edited recommendations were approved unanimously.

5. Ad-Hoc Committee Updates
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Immigration Policy Committee
Commissioner Rahimi stated that he would finish the letter and recommendations based on testimony at the March 11, 2019 special hearing. Once the report is finalized, Director Pon can contact the City Attorney. The report can ask the Mayor’s Office to look into the matter and the Board of Supervisors to issue a resolution condemning the practice.

b. Communications Committee
The Communications Committee met on March 18, 2019.

c. Safety Net Committee
The Safety Net Committee did not meet.

d. 2019 Immigrant Leadership Awards Committee
The Awards Committee has scheduled its first meeting for Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 5:00 pm at OCEIA.

6. Staff Reports (Director Pon)
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Director’s Updates
Director Pon reminded Commissioners submit their Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700s) by April 2, 2019. The Commission Clerk has sent them numerous reminders about the form.

On March 26, 2019, OCEIA released three Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the 2020 Census, language access, and naturalization grants. The Commission Clerk shared the announcement with Commissioners so they can inform their networks about the opportunity.

Vice Chair Paz asked Director Pon for an update on census planning. Director Pon shared that a census drop-in center in the Civic Center area is being planned and resources are being used to encourage hard-to-count populations to participate in the census. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on the citizenship question and issue a ruling in June. OCEIA’s outreach and education will begin in the fall. She will continue to provide updates to the Commission and appreciates their support.

Director Pon will check with Chair Kennelly regarding planning the Commission’s retreat.

Director Pon provided an update on the IRC reappointment hearing. Commissioners are held over until their hearing before the Board Rules Committee. The other half of the Commission will be up for reappointment in June 2019. In response to a question, she stated that applications are available online.

7. Old Business
(Information/Discussion/Action)
Vice Chair Paz asked for an update on a possible border visit by the Immigrant Rights Commission and the Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Khojasteh asked what the Commission would do as part of a delegation, noting that only certain individuals are permitted inside detention centers. Vice Chair Paz stated that two organizations that plan visits would welcome a delegation. Director Pon suggested that the organizations write a letter to the Commission Chair and Vice Chair, care through the staff. Staff will research and request guidance on how the Commission can participate in this activity.

Commissioner Khojasteh discussed whether it was necessary to schedule an Executive Committee meeting one week after a special hearing. He concluded that based on the timing of meetings, the meeting schedule works as it is.

8. New Business
(Information/Discussion/Action)
Vice Chair Paz noted that his agency is seeing more families with children coming to the Bay Area after being released from detention centers. He discussed data from the San Francisco Unified School District on newcomers in San Francisco schools.

Vice Chair Paz suggested holding a hearing regarding treatment of families at San Francisco’s immigration court. Director Pon asked if he would like to calendar this item for the next Full Commission meeting. Vice Chair Paz declined to calendar the item, saying that he would like to know if OCEIA is hearing this from its grantees. Vice Chair Paz also requested that Director Pon notify USCIS of the matter. Director Pon will contact USCIS and ask Deputy Director Whipple to check with OCEIA community partners.

Commissioner Rahimi proposed a hearing on concerns of immigrant communities in the San Francisco school system and Commissioner Khojasteh suggested that the Commission present its recommendations to the School Board. He suggested scheduling the hearing for May. Director Pon suggested that the hearing be held in September at the start of the school year. Vice Chair Paz suggested that OCEIA community partners serving families be invited to speak at future Commission meetings.

9. Adjournment
Vice Chair Paz adjourned the meeting at 6:50 pm.