San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission
Full Commission Meeting Minutes

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Vice Chair Paz called the meeting to order at 5:41 pm.

Present: Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Enssani (5:46 pm), Gurvits, Khojasteh (5:50 pm), Kong, Radwan, Rahimi (5:46 pm), Wang (5:55 pm), Wong.

Not Present: Chair Kennelly (excused), Commissioners Fujii (excused), Gaime (excused), Ricarte (excused), Roy.

Staff Present: Director Pon, Deputy Director Fernandez Sykes, Office Manager Chan, Commission Clerk Shore, San Francisco Fellow Robert Clinton.

2. Public Comment
There was no public comment.

3. Action Item: Approval of previous minutes
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Approval of July 9, 2018 Full Commission Meeting Minutes

This item was heard after Item No. 4.

Vice Chair Paz invited Commissioners to review the minutes from July 9, 2018. Commissioner Gurvits made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Wang seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

4. Invited Speakers
a. Erin Quinn, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Erin Quinn, senior staff attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), provided an overview of the upcoming changes to public charge regulations and answered Commissioners’ questions. Among the actions that the City could take are making public comment and providing communities with accurate information. Quinn discussed the proposed federal regulations regarding the Flores Settlement Agreement, and noted that the 60-day public comment period is now open. She also provided an update on the latest federal ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Current DACA holders and those who have had DACA in the past remain eligible to renew.

Director Pon noted that the Mayor commented on public charge in her letter requesting a meeting with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to discuss the local impact of the anticipated changes. The City’s representatives (Mayor’s Office, HSA and other affected departments) have met with OMB.  A draft statement on behalf of the Immigrant Rights Commission, which is consistent with its past statements, could be posted when the public charge changes are released and posted in the Federal Register. Commissioners discussed other messages and actions that could be taken.  Director Pon requested that Commissioners work with OCEIA and discuss in calendared committee meetings.

Vice Chair Paz thanked Erin Quinn and invited her back to discuss public charge again once the draft regulations are released.

b. HOPE SF
Director Pon stated that HOPE SF was unable to send a speaker to the Commission meeting, but that they will appear at the next meeting, along with representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development and the Housing Authority.

5. Staff Reports
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a.     Director’s Updates
Director Pon introduced San Francisco Fellow Robert Clinton, who will be working on the 2020 Census as OCEIA’s civic engagement coordinator. Clinton spoke briefly about his educational background and stated that he was looking forward to working on the census.

Director Pon stated that she, the Vice Chair and the Commission Clerk had met with the Human Rights Commission Executive Director and Chair to explore the possibility of holding a joint community meeting and other collaborations.

Director Pon asked Commissioners to save the date of Citizenship Day, September 17, 2018, for a possible press event. The San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative is holding a small workshop at San Francisco International Airport on September 22, 2018 to help airport employees and their families apply for citizenship. Lawyers in the Library is also holding a naturalization workshop in the San Francisco Public Library on September 30, 2018.

Director Pon stated that OCEIA staff are currently drafting the annual report on behalf of the Immigrant Rights Commission, and will be updating the Commission’s strategic plan. She asked Commissioners to help distribute postcards for the San Francisco Immigrant Support Hub and the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative. OCEIA plans to create postcards for the Immigrant Rights Commission next.

Director Pon also directed Commissioners to the memo from the City Attorney reminding them about requirements related to political activity by Commissioners and City employees. She invited Commissioners to contact staff with any questions.

b. LAO Quarterly Report (Deputy Director Fernández Sykes)
Deputy Director Fernández Sykes presented the results of the quarterly report on Language Access Ordinance complaints. OCEIA has not received any complaints during this fiscal year. Fernández Sykes noted that fear in the community may prevent people from coming forward to complain. In order to address this, OCEIA gives people the opportunity to complain anonymously.

Vice Chair Paz discussed how to address fear among community members. Director Pon noted the importance of providing accurate information.

Commissioner Enssani discussed concerns about data sharing. Director Pon stated that OCEIA is looking at privacy issues as they impact the 2020 census.

Commissioner Enssani and Vice Chair Paz thanked the OCEIA staff for their work.

6. Old Business
There was no old business.

7. New Business
Vice Chair Paz invited Commissioners to present new business.

Commissioner Radwan noted that the organization Immigrants Rising, formerly Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC), had established a fund for undocumented entrepreneurs working to create social change. Vice Chair Paz suggested that the Commission invite a representative from the organization to present to them.

8. Adjournment
Vice Chair Paz adjourned the meeting at 6:40 pm.