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 5:29 pm.
Present: Vice Chair Paz, Commissioner Khojasteh
Not Present: Chair Kennelly
Staff Present: Director Pon, Deputy Director Fernández Sykes, Commission Clerk Shore

2. Public Comment
There was no public comment.

3. Action Item: Approval of previous minutes
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Approval of May 23, 2018 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
Vice Chair Paz asked if the Executive Committee could postpone approval of the May 23, 2018 minutes. Director Pon affirmed that the minutes could be approved at a later date. Vice Chair Paz deferred approval of the minutes until a future meeting when Chair Kennelly is present.

b. Approval of October 24, 2018 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Khojasteh moved to approve the Executive Committee meeting minutes from October 24, 2018. Vice Chair Paz seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

4. Old Business
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Staff Report (Director Pon)
Director Pon stated that OCEIA staff had analyzed proposed changes to federal immigration policy including potential changes to birthright citizenship, proposed changes to the Flores Settlement Agreement, Public Charge, and the USCIS fee waiver criteria. OCEIA has developed a process to communicate with the Mayor’s Office on recommended actions.

The Mayor’s Office authorized OCEIA to submit a public comment on behalf of the City and County of San Francisco on the proposed change to the USCIS fee waiver criteria. OCEIA staff submitted the comment on November 27, 2018 on behalf of the City and County of San Francisco and the Immigrant Rights Commission.

Director Pon stated that at the next IRC retreat, the Commission should develop a plan to respond to proposed policies.  In response to a question, Director Pon stated that she had not received a response from Deputy City Attorney Cabrera on the Commission’s previous invitation to appear and would follow up by inviting her to the next Full Commission meeting as requested by Vice Chair Paz.

The City Attorney’s Office is preparing a public comment on the proposed changes to public charge that incorporates information from various City departments. The City Attorney’s Office has advised City departments and commissions not to issue separate statements.

Vice Chair Paz asked if there has been any discussion on how to continue services to those who relied on public benefits programs. Director Pon stated that OCEIA is working with City departments that provide services. Deputy Director Fernández Sykes noted that public benefits have not changed. Vice Chair Paz stated that fear is preventing many people from accessing the services they need. He asked if services could be provided in a different way, such as through partnerships with informal services providers. Director Pon stated that City departments would discuss how to meet the challenge.

b. Holiday Reception
Director Pon invited the Commission Clerk to provide an overview of the Commission’s annual holiday reception. The reception will take place on December 5, 2018 at Minnesota Street Project, and will feature a tour of the re:home art exhibition.

c. Annual Report
Director Pon stated that OCEIA staff had drafted the content of the IRC report. The Commission Clerk will send the Executive Committee a soft copy of the text for their review. Director Pon asked Commissioners to send any edits to the Commission Clerk by Friday, November 30, 2018 so that OCEIA staff can begin designing the report. OCEIA staff also will design postcards for Commissioners. Vice Chair Paz thanked OCEIA staff for their work on the IRC report.

d. Immigration Updates and Actions
This item was discussed as part of the Director’s report.
Director Pon stated that she would provide Commissioners with a short summary of the policy issues that OCEIA staff has analyzed at the next Full Commission meeting. Vice Chair Paz asked for an update on DACA. Commissioner Khojasteh requested a list of resources where people could volunteer or donate to help families at the border. Director Pon stated that OCEIA staff would research whether organizations have created such a document.

Commissioner Khojasteh noted that he had visited the border as part of a group led by Faith in Action. Vice Chair Paz stated that he would visit the border in December as part of a different faith-led group. Director Pon asked them to report back to the Full Commission on their visits.

Commission Khojasteh asked if the Commission could make a recommendation that the federal government hire more asylum officers. Director Pon stated that Deputy City Attorney Cabrera had made it clear that the Mayor’s Office directs interagency issues but she will forward the inquiry to the Mayor’s Office after the issue is researched.

Vice Chair Paz suggested releasing a joint statement with the Human Rights Commission. Director Pon noted that the Human Rights Commission had expressed interest in holding a joint hearing. She stated that the IRC would need to hold a vote in order to issue a statement. She recommended that the Full Commission vote to reauthorize the Executive Committee to make statements on behalf of the Commission although their previous approval voted upon several years ago is still in effect.

5. New Business
Vice Chair Paz requested that the next Executive Committee meeting include an agenda item to discuss planning a possible joint hearing with the Human Rights Commission.

Vice Chair Paz asked when the retreat would be scheduled. Commission Clerk Shore noted that the re-appointment hearings had been postponed until next year. Director Pon stated that following the hearing, a retreat will be scheduled. There is one vacancy with no incumbent on the Commission and Director Pon asked Commissioners to notify her of any individuals they recommend.

6. Adjournment
Vice Chair Paz adjourned the meeting at 5:57 pm.