January 22, 2024: IRC Executive Committee meeting

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.

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.

(Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of October 25, 2023 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the Immigrant Rights Commission’s Executive Committee meeting of October 25, 2023.

(Discussion/Action)

a. Follow-Up from IRC Special Hearing on Workforce Development

This item allows the Director to present the community recommendations drafted by OCEIA from the October 30, 2023 special hearing called by Commissioner Souza, invite the Executive Committee to review, edit and add to the recommendations, and take possible action.



b. Proposed Statement on DACA and Sanctuary City

This item allows the Executive Committee to discuss, and take possible action on, issuing a statement affirming the Commission’s support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and San Francisco’s sanctuary status. On September 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas found the DACA final rule to be unlawful, and the case is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. During the October 25, 2023 IRC Executive Committee meeting, Chair Kennelly suggested that the statement include a reference to the Commission’s hearing on workforce development. On October 30, 2023, the Full Commission voted to empower the Commission Chair to issue a statement.



c. Proposed Letter Addressing Delays in Asylum Interviews (Vice Chair Chaudhary)

This item allows the Executive Committee to discuss, and take possible action on, issuing a letter of inquiry to USCIS to address the delays in asylum interviewing and processing. Vice Chair Chaudhary has drafted a letter of inquiry to USCIS.



d. Follow-up Actions from IRC Hearing on Immigrant Perspectives on Housing in San Francisco (Commissioner Souza)

This item allows Commissioner Souza to update the Executive Committee on her latest draft of the report on the IRC’s hearing on housing. During the April 26, 2023 Executive Committee meeting, Director Rivas asked Commissioner Souza to restructure the report so that it begins with the introduction and recommendations, followed by the minutes from the hearing as an addendum.



e. Proposed Resolution on Affordable Housing

This item allows Commissioner Souza to propose a resolution on affordable housing. This item was introduced during New Business at the Full Commission’s January 8, 2024 meeting.



f. Proposed Resolution in Support of a Cease-Fire

This item allows Commissioner Obregon to propose a resolution in support of a cease-fire. This item was introduced during New Business at the Full Commission’s January 8, 2024 meeting. On January 8, 2024 the Full Commission voted to issue a statement in support of calling for a cease-fire for humanitarian reasons. On January 9, 2024, the Board of Supervisors voted to issue Resolution 231263 (Preston), as amended, calling for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid, release of hostages, and condemning antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks.



g. Proposed Letter on Budget Priorities

This item allows Commissioner Obregon to propose a letter regarding the City’s budget priorities. This item was introduced during New Business at the Full Commission’s January 8, 2024 meeting.



h. IRC Awards Committee

This item allows the Chair to appoint co-chairs and members to the IRC Awards Committee. This item was discussed during the January 8, 2024 Full Commission meeting.



i. IRC Strategic Planning Retreat

This item allows the Chair and Director Rivas to schedule and discuss plans for the IRC Strategic Planning Retreat.



j. IRC Annual Report

This item allows the Director to present the IRC Annual Report drafted by OCEIA on the Commission’s work during 2023, and invite the Executive Committee to review, edit and approve the report’s recommendations.

(Information)

a. Director’s Updates

Report on OCEIA and IRC activities and announcements. This item allows the OCEIA 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.



b. Reappointment Hearings for Board-Appointed Commissioners

Six Board-appointed Commissioners are up for reappointment by the Board of Supervisors as of June 6, 2023.



c. Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700)

Commissioners are required to complete their annual Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700) by April 2, 2024.

(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.