April 8, 2024 IRC 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.

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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.

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This item allows the Commission Chair and Secretary to welcome the two newly appointed Commissioners, and allows each new Commissioner to make very brief remarks.

a. Aseel Fara

b. Jose Ng

(Discussion/Action)
Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the Immigrant Rights Commission’s Full Commission meeting of March 11, 2024.

(Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of IRC Policy and Action Plan
This item allows the Chair and Vice Chair to review the activities the Commission plans to accomplish this year under each of its two priority areas, along with the lead Commissioners for each activity, as discussed at the Commission’s strategic planning retreat; and allows the Commission to take action to approve the plan. The Commission came up with a plan during the retreat, but did not vote to approve it due to a lack of quorum.

b. Language Access Ordinance and Language Access Compliance Report Hearing
This item allows Director Rivas to provide an update on the upcoming Language Access Ordinance and Language Access Compliance Report hearing and press conference; allows the Chair to provide an update on the Executive Committee’s discussion of the proposed amendments; and allows the Commission to discuss and take possible action.

c. IRC Awards Committee Update
This item allows Awards Committee Co-Chairs Ricarte and Obregon and OCEIA staff to provide an update on nominations and planning for the Immigrant Leadership Awards scheduled for June 10, 2024 at City Hall. 

d. Follow-Up Actions from IRC Special Hearing on Workforce Development
This item allows Commissioner Souza and OCEIA staff to present a draft report on the IRC’s special hearing on workforce development. Clerk Shore drafted the report based on recommendations by community members during the October 30, 2023 hearing called by Commissioner Souza. The report was approved by the Executive Committee at its March 27, 2024 meeting.

e. Follow-up Actions from IRC Special Hearing on Housing
This item allows Commissioner Souza to present a draft report on the IRC’s special hearing on housing, and allows the Commission to discuss and take possible action. Commissioner Souza drafted the report based on recommendations by community members during the September 12, 2022 hearing. The report was approved by the Executive Committee at its March 27, 2024 meeting.

f. Proposed Resolution on Affordable Housing
This item allows Commissioner Souza to present a resolution she drafted on affordable housing, and allows the Commission to discuss and take possible action. The resolution was approved by the Executive Committee at its March 27, 2024 meeting.

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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.

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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.