Note: As authorized by California Government Code Section 54953(e) and the Mayor’s 45th Supplement to her February 25, 2020 emergency proclamation, this meeting will be held remotely without providing a physical location. Members of the Immigrant Rights Commission will participate and vote by video. Members of the public may observe the meeting and provide public comment online. View instructions for providing public comment.

1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Khojasteh (5:56 p.m.), Ricarte, Souza.
OCEIA Staff Present: Acting Director Whipple, Commission Clerk Shore, Operations and Grants Administrator Chan, Policy and Civic Engagement Officer Noonan.

2. Ramaytush Ohlone Land Acknowledgment
This item is to allow the Commission Chair to acknowledge that the Commission is on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.

Chair Kennelly read the land acknowledgment statement.

3. General Public Comment
This item is to allow members of the public to address the Commission on matters that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission and that do not appear on today’s agenda.

There was no public comment.

4. Action Item: Approval of previous minutes
(Discussion/Action)
a. Approval of August 17, 2022 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the Immigrant Rights Commission’s Executive Committee meeting of August 17, 2022. Explanatory Document: IRC Executive Committee August 17, 2022 Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Ricarte motioned to approve the August 17, 2022 Executive Committee minutes, seconded by Commissioner Souza. Chair Kennelly called for public comment, and there was no public comment on this item. The minutes were approved.

5. Discussion/Action Items
(Discussion/Action)
a. Including Parental Leave in IRC Bylaws (Acting Director Whipple)
Discussion on including an action item on the agenda of the next Full Commission meeting to comply with required amendments to the IRC bylaws to include language related to parental leave. The Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance last year establishing a parental leave policy for members of appointive City boards, commissions, and advisory bodies. The ordinance is codified in Administrative Code Chapter 67B.  The ordinance requires each board, commission, and advisory body to add the parental leave policy to its bylaws or rules of order and to share a copy of the policy with each member.

Acting Director Whipple noted that all Commissions are required to add the parental leave policy to their bylaws. The amendments will be posted in advance, and the Commission will vote on the amendments at its next Full Commission meeting.

b. Proposed Statement/Letter on Resources for Newcomer Students
Discussion and possible action on proposed statement/letter on resources for newcomer students. This is a continuation of an item proposed by Commissioner Souza in response to reports of attacks at Everett Middle School. The Executive Committee voted to move forward with drafting a statement or letter around the provisioning of additional resources for newcomer students promoting the general safety of students within SFUSD. Commissioner Souza shared a draft with the Executive Committee.

Commissioners discussed the draft submitted by Commissioner Souza. Vice Chair Paz will send his suggested additions to OCEIA staff. OCEIA staff will share the revised version with the Executive Committee for their approval. Chair Kennelly asked if it should be a letter or a statement, and Vice Chair Paz suggested that it be a letter to the Superintendent and School Board President. The Commission can also invite them to speak to the Commission.

c. Follow-up Actions from IRC Hearing on Immigrant Perspectives on Housing in San Francisco
Discussion and possible action to plan follow-up actions on the Commission’s September 12, 2022 hearing on immigrant perspectives on housing in San Francisco. Explanatory Document: IRC Hearing on Immigrant Perspectives on Housing in San Francisco

Commissioner Souza volunteered to draft a short summary of the community recommendations as the Commission did for the hearing on anti-AAPI hate. Chair Kennelly said the Executive Committee can support and review the draft. Vice Chair Paz noted the importance of funding to build housing for all, regardless of immigration status. Acting Director Whipple noted that although agencies may not ask about immigration status, they can provide information on eligibility for housing.

d. Report-Back on Meeting with Parivar Bay Area and Plans for IRC Hearing or Other Action on LGBTQ Immigrants (Commissioner Latt and Acting Director Whipple)
Presentation on Acting Director Whipple and Commissioner Latt’s recent meeting with Parivar Bay Area, and discussion and possible action to plan for an IRC hearing or other action on LGBTQ immigrants.

Acting Director Whipple provided an overview of his recent meeting with Parivar Bay Area. OCEIA is following up separately on Parivar’s requests for resources. He noted that Commissioner Latt had suggested hosting a hearing on LGBTQ immigrant issues. Vice Chair Paz said he could provide Parivar with additional connections to resources.

e. San Francisco’s Preparation for Increase in Asylum Seekers (Vice Chair Paz and Acting Director Whipple)
Information, discussion and possible action on San Francisco’s plans to prepare for a possible increase in asylum seekers. Several U.S. cities are experiencing increases in asylum seekers due to busing of migrants from the border by the governors of Texas and Arizona, and are establishing plans to provide them with needed services.

Acting Director Whipple provided an overview of efforts to plan for the potential arrival of asylum seekers. Chair Kennelly called for public comment, and there was no public comment on this item.

6. Staff Reports
(Information)
a. Director’s Updates
Report on OCEIA and IRC activities and announcements. This item allows the Director to provide brief updates on activities and announcements. If the Commission would like a full report, we can place that matter on the agenda for a future meeting.

Acting Director Whipple provided an update on OCEIA activities. October 1 is the deadline for City departments to report their compliance with the Language Access Ordinance. OCEIA staff will share its findings with the Commission. OCEIA staff will move forward with scheduling the language access committee meeting. Commissioner Souza provided possible dates, and Chair Kennelly noted her availability. OCEIA and the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative served over 100 people at its workshop on September 24, 2022. Acting Director Whipple also noted that the 5th Circuit decision on DACA is expected soon.

b. Reappointment Hearings
Report on vacant seats and four Board-appointed Commissioners whose seats are up for reappointment: Commissioners Ruiz, Gaime, Khojasteh, and Enssani.

Acting Director Whipple stated that he is waiting for one Board-appointed Commissioner to reapply. Commissioners appointed by the Mayor were also up for renewal this year. Commissioner Ricarte has received his reappointment letter. Chair Kennelly called for public comment, and there was no public comment on this item.

7. Old and New Business
(Information)
This item is to allow Commissioners to provide updates on items the Commission has previously discussed, and to introduce new agenda items for future consideration by the Commission.

Commissioner Khojasteh proposed that the Commission issue a statement on the human rights violations taking place in Iran. He noted that the Chair and Vice Chair may issue statements on matters the Commission has already agreed on, and stated that it could be a general statement on human rights. Chair Kennelly asked Commissioner Khojasteh to draft the statement. Chair Kennelly called for public comment, and there was no public comment on this item.

8. Adjournment
Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.