October 7, 2019 IRC meeting

Vice Chair Paz called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm.



Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Fujii, Kong, Radwan, Rahimi, Wang.



Not present: Commissioners Enssani (excused), Gaime (excused), Khojasteh (excused), Monge (excused), Ricarte (excused), Ruiz Navarro, Wong (excused).



Staff present: Director Pon, Administrative Programs Coordinator Alvarez, Office Manager Chan, Census Project Manager Clinton, Language Specialist Cosenza, Senior Communications Specialist Richardson, Commission Clerk Shore.

a. Introduction to Special Hearing by Chair Celine Kennelly

Chair Kennelly welcomed attendees to the neighborhood meeting and thanked the Office of District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, City Librarian Michael Lambert, Commission/OCEIA Director Adrienne Pon, and OCEIA staff.



b. Opening Remarks by Office of District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton

This item was heard out of order.

Natalie Gee, chief of staff of the Office of District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, introduced herself and expressed her happiness to join the meeting. She said she looked forward to listening to the concerns of community members.



c. Welcome by City Librarian Michael Lambert, San Francisco Public Library

City Librarian Michael Lambert welcomed attendees and affirmed the San Francisco Public Library’s commitment to immigrant communities and providing services that support immigrant families. The library is partnering with OCEIA on the 2020 census, and all 28 library locations will be destinations for people who want to complete the census questionnaire.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of July 23, 2019 Full Commission Meeting Minutes

b. Approval of September 9, 2019 Full Commission Meeting Minutes

Chair Kennelly deferred these items due to lack of quorum.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Invited Speakers

Chair Kennelly introduced the invited speakers.



1. Jacqueline Flin, A. Philip Randolph Institute

Jacqueline Flin, executive director of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), provided an overview of why it is important for everyone to participate and be counted in the 2020 census. Billions of dollars depend on the census. For the first time, people will be able to complete the census online. Technical and language assistance will be provided by local organizations. The U.S. Census Bureau has job opportunities for those who want to work for the census as enumerators. APRI also offers job resources. The District 10 Complete Count Committee is working to dispel myths and provide accurate information.



2. Patsy Tito, Samoan Community Development Center

Patsy Tito, executive director of the Samoan Community Development Center, said the Samoan community has been underserved and overlooked. She wants people to hear them, see them, and continue to look out for them. Many community members are undocumented. The Samoan community is small, with 5,000 to 6,000 people in San Francisco, and 10,000 to 15,000 in the Bay Area. She stressed the importance of making sure Samoans are counted in the census.



3. Jessica Campos, Visitacion Valley Hispanic Group and Wu Yee Children’s Services

Jessica Campos, a member of the Visitacion Valley Hispanic Group and site director of Wu Yee Children’s Services in Bayview/Hunters Point, said many immigrants are afraid to complete the census questionnaire because they think their information will be shared. She said it is important to acknowledge this fear.



4. Miguel Campos, Visitacion Valley Hispanic Group

Jessica Campos introduced her father, Miguel Campos, who said 25 to 30 percent of the Hispanic community lives in Visitacion Valley. He said many community members are afraid to come to meetings because of their immigration status. He does not see many Hispanic police officers and would like to see more interaction between City Hall and the local Hispanic community.



5. Marlene Tran, Visitacion Valley Asian Alliance

Marlene Tran, a spokesperson for Visitacion Valley Asian Alliance, recent mayoral appointee to the Southeast Community Facility Commission in Bayview/Hunters Point, and former Immigrant Rights Commissioner, said Visitacion Valley used to be called the “forgotten valley.” The valley is no longer forgotten, she said. Its residents are working hard, and she is happy that the Commission is here to listen to them. Public safety is a major concern for local residents. She appreciates the presence of multilingual Community Ambassadors. She would like to see surveys done and see Ambassadors in different areas. Another concern is communication. District 10 is the largest district geographically, but communication is lacking. People who don’t speak English need help. City departments and public officials send emails in English only. If there is a major catastrophe, how will the City communicate with people who don’t speak English? She said services and resources for seniors are also needed.



6. Ronald Colthirst, The Village

Ronald Colthirst, community facility manager of The Village, read from One Visitacion Valley, a statement written after the presidential election of 2016 that echoed the One San Francisco statement released by the City. He noted that people of color represent 88 percent of the population of Visitacion Valley. Sunnydale is the largest public housing development west of the Mississippi River, with nearly 800 households. All of HOPE SF’s sites are located in District 10. He suggested that Visitacion Valley create its own Complete Count Committee. Many public housing residents are being displaced and will be brought back after their residences are rebuilt. He questioned whether they would be here during the census in April.



Chair Kennelly asked how many residents will be moved out.



Ronald Colthirst said on paper, there are over 1,000 residents living in Sunnydale public housing, but the actual number is likely to be twice that amount, as a result of people who are couch surfing or not on the lease. The first quarter of residents has already been displaced.



Vice Chair Paz asked if the residents had been relocated inside San Francisco or outside the city. Ronald Colthirst said the first choice is to locate them nearby.



Rex Tabora, executive director of the APA Community Center, stated that most, if not all, of those displaced are in San Francisco.



Patsy Harney of Mercy Housing said 170 units were demolished, but all residents on the lease were moved into other units on Sunnydale property. They will remain there until the new units are built, and then the next block of people will be moved. The only residents who could be displaced are those who are not on the lease. A new building has been completed across from Sunnydale, and Sunnydale residents were allowed to apply to move there.



Ronald Colthirst noted that the Department of Elections published a disclaimer regarding the possible risks of non-citizen voting, and asked if a similar disclaimer should be published in census outreach materials for immigrants.



Chair Kennelly thanked the invited speakers and opened the floor to questions from Commissioners.



Vice Chair Paz asked Patsy Tito what support the Samoan community needs. Patsy Tito noted the high cost of applying to become a U.S. citizen. In Samoa, they own and live off their land. In the United States, they need to find a job and make a living. Resources are needed to help people apply for affirmative relief and citizenship, and help cover the cost.



Commissioner Wang asked Patsy Tito to provide an overview of the immigration status of Samoans. She asked if they go through the same process to apply for citizenship, and if citizenship classes and fee waivers are available. American Samoa is a U.S. territory, so its residents are nationals, not citizens. Samoa, originally called Western Samoa, has its own government. Samoans must apply for a Green Card to come to the United States and go through the same naturalization process as other immigrants. She is not aware of citizenship classes for her community.



Vice Chair Paz asked Miguel Campos what support the Latino community needs. Campos said his community is invisible. He asked where they can get information in Spanish about the Mayor’s Office and the Police Department. Local police officers don’t usually speak Spanish. He said the City needs more representation in the neighborhood.



Commissioner Rahimi asked if it would be beneficial if the Mayor’s Office took part in a local town hall meeting.



b. Community Testimony

Chair Kennelly invited members of the community to provide testimony.



1. Gen Xing Situ

Gen Xing Situ said she wished the City could send more police officers to protect residents of the neighborhood. She said safety is the most important issue. Of the 30,000 residents in Visitacion Valley, she said 60 percent are Asian. She thanked the Commission for coming to the neighborhood.



2. Gina Tobar

Gina Tobar, a resident of Visitacion Valley, voiced concerns about immigrant rights and human rights at the border. She appreciated that the Commission released a statement on the border crisis. She expressed concern that immigrants would be afraid to participate in the 2020 census. She said she is Hispanic and at least six of her neighbors are Hispanic longtime residents who are not engaged politically. Their needs should be considered. She suggested that the City conduct its own count of the population.



3. Marlene Tran

Marlene Tran discussed the importance of access to education. District 10 has not had an ESL or citizenship class for nine years. She expressed gratitude that the Office of Shamann Walton has provided them with support for an ESL class. She also voiced the importance of promoting Cantonese as a second language. One police officer who speaks five languages was sent to 66 Raymond as a result of the beating of Grandma Huang in the park. Marlene Tran said she started her community work because the neighborhood was like a war zone. She hopes the Immigrant Rights Commission can help them promote local classes.



Commissioner Rahimi asked how to unite the community and the police. Marlene Tran noted that more officers who speak multiple languages are needed. Jacqueline Flin said her organization works to help build relationships between youth and police. She would be happy to bring young people who have gone through their leadership development program to act as ambassadors.



Vice Chair Paz noted the interest in local citizenship and ESL classes. He asked Director Pon if the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative could support efforts in Visitacion Valley. The initiative conducts free naturalization workshops across the city every two months, providing legal screenings and interpretation. Director Pon said additional targeted outreach to the Samoan community and other communities that request their help can be added.



Commissioner Rahimi asked Gina Tobar about the benefits of conducting a separate count. Tobar said the purpose of the census is to count residents in order to get resources. If they are not counted, the City will lose money. She expressed concerns about how to count those without a permanent home. (Staff Note: only the U.S. Census Bureau can conduct the official decennial census count and this in turn impacts federal funding, political representation, redistricting, etc.; independent data will not be accepted by the Census Bureau).



Chair Kennelly affirmed that there are mechanisms in place to make sure everyone is counted, including people experiencing homelessness and people who are incarcerated. She encouraged Tobar to contact the District 10 Complete Count Committee with any questions.



Commissioner Wang said City College has always had problems building a citizenship program in Visitacion Valley. It is difficult for seniors to travel elsewhere. She suggested inviting the City College Chancellor to speak to the Commission.

 

Chair Kennelly invited attendees to make public comment.



1. Jason Chan

Jason Chan, who works for City College and Charity Cultural Services Center, said he has worked with many people in the construction industry, including Latino workers with different immigration statuses. He said it is becoming increasingly difficult to get work authorization. He said additional resources such as workshops would be greatly appreciated.



2. LaVaughn Kellum-King

LaVaughn Kellum-King, a Commissioner for the Southeast Community Facility, said she is concerned about what happens to seniors, working-class residents, and children. She said it is important to have classes, but there should be classes for English speakers as well. She said her son learned Chinese so he could get off the bus without getting elbowed.



3. Ronald Colthirst

Ronald Colthirst, manager of The Village, thanked Director Pon and the Immigrant Rights Commission. He praised the Visitacion Valley Community Ambassadors Program (CAP) team, which is based at The Village and led by local community member Schevonne Baty.



Chair Kennelly thanked Director Pon and OCEIA for the Community Ambassadors Program.

Chair Kennelly thanked attendees and speakers, and invited community members to attend future Immigrant Rights Commission meetings the second Monday of each month in City Hall. Hearing from residents informs the Commission and helps them develop policy recommendations for the City. She expressed the importance of the census and asked community members to become ambassadors for the 2020 census.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Policy Updates

Director Pon invited community members to the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative’s free naturalization workshops. She introduced Robert Clinton, OCEIA’s 2020 census project manager, and encouraged community members to be ambassadors for the census. She thanked Chair Kennelly who spoke about the 2020 census at the October 6, 2019 Civic Center Block Party. She also thanked the Commissioners who attended OCEIA’s public charge seminar at the San Francisco Public Library.



The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in November. OCEIA staff will keep the Commission informed.



Director Pon thanked Marlene Tran, who fought for immigrant rights and language rights and advised on the Community Ambassadors Program.



The Commission’s retreat is scheduled for January 2020. Commission Clerk Shore will resend the pre-retreat survey. Director Pon said it is important for all Commissioners to be engaged and actively participate.

There was no old business.

There was no new business.

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:05 pm.