1.  Call to Order and Roll Call

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 6:10pm.

Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Roy; Romanenko; Ricarte; Fuentes; Maldonado; Fujii; Khojasteh; Wong; Kong; Wang. 

Not Present: Commissioner Gaime (excused); Commissioner Enssani (excused).

Staff: Executive Director Pon, Deputy Director Sykes, Commission Clerk Richardson, Senior Policy

Analyst Hsieh, Language Services Unit Manager Panopio, Language Services Specialists Li and Valmana.

2.  Opening Remarks

Note: This item was heard out of order

1. Introduction to Special Hearing by Chair Celine Kennelly

Chair Kennelly welcomed members of the public to the Full Commission District 9 Neighborhood Meeting and Special Hearing on Quality of Life Issues for Immigrants.

2. Welcoming Remarks by District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen

District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen make opening remarks to the Commission and members of the public.

3.  Action Item: Approval of previous minutes

1. Approval of April 10, 2017 Full Commission Meeting and Special Hearing Minutes

(Information/Discussion/Action)

Chair Kennelly invited members of the Commission to review the minutes for approval. Commissioner Kong motioned to approve the Full Commission Meeting Minutes from April 10, 2017. Commissioner Fuentes seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

4.  Special Testimony from Invited Speakers

• Immigration
• Housing and Affordability
• Economy and Education
• Healthcare
• Civic Engagement

PUBLIC TESTIMONY IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

Lariza Dugan Cuadra | CARECEN

Lariza Dugan Cuadra, Executive Director of CARECEN provided testimony as the fiscal lead and representative of the San Francisco Immigration Legal Defense Collaborative (SFILDC). Dugan Cuadra provided a brief update on SFILDC’s work with the immigration services supplemental fund that was approved by Mayor Lee and the Board of Supervisors in 2016. Dugan Cuadra thanked the Commission for its support and committed to sharing the initiative’s progress reports in the future.

Dr. Estela R. Garcia | San Francisco Latino Parity and Equity Coalition

Dr. Estela R. Garcia of the San Francisco Latino Party and Equity Coalition provided testimony regarding the Latino community’s heath, workforce and displacement issues and concerns. Dr. Garcia gave an overview of the issues the organization faces, particularly at the intersection of quality of life issues with children’s access to stable nutrition and support systems. Dr. Garcia stated that a report will be shared with the commission on parity and equity issues in Latino immigrant communities, and asked the Commission to submit its position to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors.

Jaime Aragon | Good Samaritan Family Resource Center

Jaime Aragon provided testimony on the January 26, 2017 incident when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) entered the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center facilities carrying weapons, in turn, rattling clients as well as the immigrant community at large. Aragon detailed Good Samaritan’s reaction to the incident, which included contacting local officials and alerting the Rapid Response Network Hotline, as well as conducting Know Your Rights trainings in the aftermath.

Violeta Roman | Faith in Action Bay Area

(Testimony provided with the assistance of an interpreter from the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs)

Violeta Roman, representing Faith In Action Bay Area, provided testimony on the organization’s mobilization and education of communities via Know Your Rights and Ally and Accompaniment trainings at local parishes. Roman described a recent incident of a client who was denied interpretation services by a healthcare worker during a chemotherapy treatment session, violating the client’s rights to request services in his preferred language.

Olinda Orellana | Faith in Action Bay Area

(Testimony provided with the assistance of an interpreter from the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs)

Olinda Orellana, representing Faith In Action Bay Area, provided testimony on the organization’s mobilization and education of communities via Know Your Rights and Ally and Accompaniment trainings at local parishes. Orellana addressed the fear of deportation in the immigrant Latino community, suggesting further collaboration with the Immigrant Rights Commission to support community members during these difficult situations.

5.  Public Comment

PUBLIC COMMENT IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

Monica Chinchilla | Mission Neighborhood Centers, INC.

Monica Chinchilla of the Mission Neighborhood Center provided testimony about Latinos in other San Francisco Supervisorial Districts outside of District 9, specifically, Districts 10 and 11. Chinchilla provided an example of how, for the 90 families MNC serve in District 10, these families suffer due to feelings of isolation and a lack of cultural competency in neighborhoods that are not traditionally Latino.

Beatrice Gibson | Holy Family Day Home

Beatrice Gibson, representing Holy Family Day home, provided public comment detailing the organization’s work for working families. Gibson stated that over 51% of the population Holy Family Day Home serves is Latino, and many are living below the federal poverty line. Gibson asked that the Commission make economic equity for immigrant families a priority via the San Francisco Latino Party and Equity Coalition.

6.  Old Business

1. Staff Report

1. IRC Anniversary: Special Committee Meeting Update
   • Director Pon invited Commissioners, invited speakers and members of the public to attend the June 12, 2017 Immigrant Rights Commission 20^th Anniversary Celebration and Inaugural Immigrant Leadership Awards, located at City Hall.
2. June 12, 2017 Full Commission Meeting & Anniversary Update
3. Director Pon provided Commissioners with a brief update on the aforementioned event.

7.  New Business

Chair Kennelly opened the floor to New Business items. Commissioner Fuentes shared information on the upcoming San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative Free Workshop on Saturday, June 17, 2017, at City College of San Francisco’s Ocean Campus, 50 Phelan Avenue, Multipurpose Building Room 410 at 9:30 am.

8.  Adjournment

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:21 PM.

###

Minutes prepared by Clerk Jamie Richardson and reviewed by Executive Director Adrienne Pon.