August 28, 2024: IRC Executive Committee meeting

We, the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission, acknowledge that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramaytush Ohlone have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders and relatives of the Ramaytush Community and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples.

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)
Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the Immigrant Rights Commission’s Executive Committee meeting of July 24, 2024.

a. Proposed Resolution on Immigrant-Owned Small Businesses (Commissioner Souza)
(Discussion/Action)
This item allows Commissioner Souza to propose a resolution acknowledging the contributions of immigrant-owned small businesses. This item was introduced under New Business at the Full Commission’s May 13, 2024 meeting.

b. IRC Actions Concerning Needs of Ukrainian Community Members (Commissioner Obregon)
(Discussion/Action)
This item allows Chair Kennelly and Vice Chair Chaudhary to report back on their meeting with Ukrainian community members.  This item was introduced by Commissioner Obregon under New Business at the Full Commission’s May 13, 2024 meeting.

c. Follow-Up Actions from Workforce Recommendations
(Discussion/Action)
This item allows Director Rivas and the Executive Committee to discuss drafting a letter to the San Francisco Department of Human Resources (DHR) requesting that DHR support and sponsor City employees.

d. Proposed Statement to Counter Anti-Immigrant Narrative (Commissioner Paz)
(Discussion/Action)
This item allows Commissioner Paz to propose a statement in support of sanctuary policies and immigrant communities, or another action to counter xenophobic narratives in the lead-up to the election. This item was introduced by Commissioner Paz under New Business during the Executive Committee’s July 24, 2024 meeting.

e. IRC Special Hearing
(Discussion/Action)
This item allows the Executive Committee to discuss possible dates, topic ideas, objectives, and outcomes for the next IRC special hearing. This item was introduced by Vice Chair Chaudhary under New Business during the Executive Committee’s July 24, 2024 meeting.

(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. 

b. Update on Commission Appointments 
This item allows Director Rivas to provide updates on Mayoral and Board of Supervisors appointments to the Immigrant Rights Commission.

c. Proposed Letter Addressing Delays in Asylum Interviews (Vice Chair Chaudhary)
The letter was approved at the Executive Committee’s June 26, 2024 meeting, and will go to the Full Commission for a vote on September 9, 2024. During the July 24, 2024 Executive Committee meeting, Commissioners did not make any further edits.

(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.