June 8, 2020 IRC meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.



Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Enssani (left at 7:21 p.m.), Fujii, Gaime, Khojasteh, Monge, Radwan (left at 6:29 p.m.), Rahimi, Ricarte, Ruiz, Wang.



Not Present: Commissioner Kong.



OCEIA Staff Present: Director Pon, Administrative Programs Coordinator Alvarez, Office Manager Chan, Spanish Language Specialist Cosenza, Language Access Unit Supervisor Jozami, Senior Communications Specialist Richardson, Commission Clerk Shore, Deputy Director Whipple. 



City Staff Present Include: Assessor-Recorder Chu, Treasurer Cisneros, SFGovTV Media Production Supervisor Phillips, OEWD Director Torres, Planning Department Community Development Specialists Torrey and Yen.

Chair Kennelly welcomed members of the public to the Immigrant Rights Commission’s remote special hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on immigrants in San Francisco, co-hosted by the Economic Recovery Task Force. She thanked SFGovTV Media Production Supervisor Sean Phillips for his technical assistance and asked members of the public for their patience as the Commission conducts its first remote hearing. 



Director Pon provided an overview of the meeting agenda and asked panelists to speak slowly in order to provide enough time for interpretation. She invited Commission Clerk Shore to provide more information. Commission Clerk Shore provided instructions on how to make public comment. 

a. Introduction to Special Hearing (Chair Kennelly)

Chair Kennelly introduced the special hearing in the context of the killing of George Floyd and other community members by law enforcement officers. She affirmed that Black Lives Matter and that the Immigrant Rights Commission stands by communities of color and Black communities. Chair Kennelly thanked the Economic Recovery Task Force for its important work, and welcomed Task Force Co-Chairs Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu and City Treasurer José Cisneros.



b. Introduction to Economic Recovery Task Force

Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu, Co-Chair of the Economic Recovery Task Force

“When we think about economic recovery, we have to be thinking about how it is that we are going to be building a San Francisco for the long term that is going to be more resilient, but also is going to be more equitable for all of our communities going forward.”

Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu thanked the Commission and provided an overview of the Economic Recovery Task Force convened by Mayor Breed and Board of Supervisors President Yee. The pandemic has exacerbated disparities, and the aim of the economic recovery is to make San Francisco more resilient and equitable. In May, the Task Force focused on re-opening. It is now pivoting to four policy areas: jobs and businesses, vulnerable populations, long-term investments in San Francisco, and arts, culture and hospitality.



Treasurer José Cisneros, Co-Chair of the Economic Recovery Task Force

“We want to make sure we do everything we can to support people in our vulnerable populations.”

Treasurer José Cisneros stated that throughout its work, the overriding theme of the Task Force has been how to support vulnerable communities. The vulnerable populations group looks forward to discussing with members of the public how to support these communities, including low-income individuals and many immigrants and people of color.



Chair Kennelly thanked Assessor-Recorder Chu and Treasurer Cisneros, and noted that the communities the Immigrant Rights Commission represents are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and economic downturn, and the Commission looks forward to being part of the conversation.

 

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Invited Speakers



Overview of City Relief Efforts

Chair Kennelly invited speakers to provide information on City relief efforts to support immigrants.



Give2SF (Joaquin Torres, Director, Office of Economic and Workforce Development)

“A phenomenal amount of investment that we are seeing from individuals. We know that we can see more.”

Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) Director Joaquin Torres provided an overview of the Give2SF program announced by Mayor Breed in April 2020. To date, the fund has received $28.26 million from more than 2,440 donors. Some $22.6 million has been or is in the process of being distributed to community-based organizations. The funds support housing stabilization, food security, immigrant workers, small businesses, and the Family Relief Fund. Director Torres asked community members to share information about the programs and the need for more philanthropic funders. More information is available at Give2SF.org.



Family Relief Fund (Tracy Gallardo, Legislative Aide, District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton)

“COVID-19 created a threat to the economic stability of San Francisco residents, and so we wanted to really do our part to offer some type of economic relief.”

Tracy Gallardo, legislative aide with Supervisor Walton’s Office, provided an overview of the Family Relief Fund. Supervisor Walton originally introduced the legislation in the Board of Supervisors, but Mayor Breed intervened and the program collaborated with the Mayor’s Office. The fund is now being launched under the Human Rights Commission and OEWD. The Supervisor’s Office selected 10 lead agencies and 30 connector agencies. The fund provides $500 per month for three months to 5,000 families who do not qualify for federal relief funds. More information is available through Supervisor Walton’s office.

Chair Kennelly thanked the speakers and invited Commissioners to ask questions. Commissioner Gaime asked how the distribution of funds is coordinated among multiple agencies. Legislative Aide Gallardo stated that agencies must submit the list of families for approval in order to prevent duplication.



Overview of State and Community Relief Efforts

Chair Kennelly invited speakers to provide information on state and community relief efforts to support immigrants.



California’s Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (Diana Otero, Director of Operations and Support Services, Catholic Charities)

“We know that this funding is limited and that it only reaches close to 6% of our undocumented community here in the Bay Area.”

Diana Otero, director of operations and support services for Catholic Charities, provided an overview of California’s Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI), which was created to provide financial assistance to undocumented adults who are not eligible for other forms of aid. The fund provides $500, or $1,000 per household, to about 150,000 undocumented adults statewide, including 30,000 in the Bay Area. Catholic Charities is processing Bay Area applications by phone through June 30, 2020 and has received close to 3 million calls, assisted 4,591 applicants, and dispersed 8,017 gift cards. Applicants have reported difficulties accessing the phone line due to the high demand.



Mission Asset Fund’s Immigrant Families Fund (Joanna Cortez Hernandez, Client Services Director, Mission Asset Fund)

“Our immigrant communities are in deep financial pain and we have to do better for them.”   

Joanna Cortez Hernandez, client services director with Mission Asset Fund, presented an overview of the Immigrant Families Fund, which provides $500 grants to immigrants left out of the federal government’s relief efforts. The fund has provided over 4,000 grants to date, prioritized based on need. However, the demand is higher than the funds can accommodate. In partnership with the City, Mission Asset Fund hopes to cover more applicants.



Bay Area Labor Council Response Fund (Camila Carrera, Program Coordinator, We Rise San Francisco)

“We wanted to simplify the process for our community.”

Camila Carrera, program coordinator for We Rise San Francisco, provided an overview of the Bay Area Labor Council Response Fund. The fund provides $500 in food and/or fuel gift cards or payment of rent and utilities to undocumented immigrant workers. The application process is simple to access, and the Labor Council hopes to renew the fund to make a second round of payments to applicants.



Chair Kennelly invited Commissioners to ask questions. Vice Chair Paz asked about the extent of the demand for assistance. Joanna Cortez Hernandez stated that Mission Asset Fund has received over 26,000 pre-applications from immigrants across the nation. Diana Otero noted that the state fund only targets 6% of the undocumented community in the Bay Area.



UndocuFund San Francisco (Juana Flores, Executive Director, Mujeres Unidas y Activas)

“Today low-income people don’t live in fear but instead they live terrorized that they will be evicted.”

This speaker was heard out of order. Juana Flores, executive director of Mujeres Unidas y Activas, who spoke in Spanish through an interpreter, provided an overview of UndocuFund San Francisco. UndocuFund was created to provide community-based financial assistance. Partners include Young Workers United, La Colectiva, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, PODER, Chinese Progressive Association, Jobs with Justice, and Dolores Street Community Services. The fund has raised over $1 million, received over 9,000 applications and provided grants to over 500 families. She stated that more funds are needed to help families.



Invited Testimony on Community Needs

Chair Kennelly invited speakers to present on community needs and gaps.



Marisela Esparza, Director of Immigrant Rights and Community Empowerment, Dolores Street Community Services

“All of our organizations are going to be flooded with people who are going to have to make a difficult choice around whether they are able to afford the filing fees… or… pay the rent.”

Marisela Esparza, director of immigrant rights and community empowerment with Dolores Street Community Services, spoke on behalf of the San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network (SFILEN) and the San Francisco Rapid Response Network. She noted that postponed court cases have increased the backlog of immigration cases. Filing fees remain in place despite the economic downturn, and community members may be forced to choose between paying for their immigration relief application and paying their rent. In January 2020, the hotline received a budget cut and beginning July 1, 2020 will reduce its hours. 



Laura Valdéz, Executive Director, Dolores Street Community Services

“The disproportionate number of Latinx people in the Mission impacted by COVID-19 is rooted in racism.”

Laura Valdéz, executive director of Dolores Street Community Services, affirmed that the need for UndocuFund San Francisco is greater than the funds available. She stated that many domestic workers and day laborers are afraid to seek help if they become ill because they are afraid they will be impacted by the public charge rule. Many live in multi-family houses, and some have lost their housing and are now living in cars or public spaces. Director Valdéz recommended subsidies for food and rent, access to free personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, community access to testing outside of county hospitals, mobile testing, and utilizing peer outreach and education workers.



Chair Kennelly introduced Young Workers United Co-Director Alejo, who invited member Leydi Lavadores to speak.



Leydi Lavadores, Member, Young Workers United

“We have always been excluded, but during this time we need to be included because we have been named essential workers.”

Leydi Lavadores, a member of Young Workers United, spoke in Spanish through an interpreter. She noted that many working families are not aware of all of the resources available because they are focused on working. She said her community needs long-term financial assistance, the right to return to work with the same salary, and a program to help them find jobs. She requested that Young Workers United have a seat at the table in the City’s recovery effort.



Hong Mei Pang, Director of Advocacy, Chinese for Affirmative Action

“COVID-19 has magnified longstanding systemic disparities that require solutions that are rooted in an equity framework.”

Hong Mei Pang, director of advocacy with Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), expressed CAA’s solidarity with the Black community. She urged City leaders to continue to prioritize immigrant services in the recovery, including language access, immigrant navigation, defense and legal relief programs. She expressed the importance of immigrant-serving organizations and asked City leaders to continue to invest in undocumented populations. She recommended additional pathways for economically disenfranchised communities. She called on the City to strengthen protections for vulnerable populations, including scaling back policing and bolstering programs like the Community Ambassadors Program. She noted that participation in the 2020 census is key for San Francisco’s long-term resiliency.



Adoubou Traore, Director, African Advocacy Network

“It’s not just about immigrants’ resilience. It’s about the resilience of all the community in San Francisco.”

Adoubou Traore, director of African Advocacy Network, stated that although the City has taken many actions, more needs to be done to protect and maintain funding for immigrant-serving organizations.



Melba Maldonado, Executive Director, La Raza Community Resource Center 

“The Latin population in San Francisco again is battling a pandemic of the system[ic] inequality.”

Melba Maldonado, executive director of La Raza Community Resource Center, stated that communities are battling a pandemic of disease and inequity, and Latinx communities are disproportionately impacted. She stated that the City should maintain funding for immigrant-serving organizations, and reiterated that the demand for assistance far exceeds the funds available.



Linda Ereikat, Case Manager, Arab Resource and Organizing Center

“We see houselessness increasing in the Arab community.”

Linda Ereikat, case manager with Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), thanked the City for providing COVID-19 materials in Arabic but said that more needs to be done. She has noted an increase in homelessness and discussed the need for rental assistance. She said the Employment Development Department (EDD) website is complicated and does not provide in-language support. USCIS has refused to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemeni and Somali nationals. Many community members are afraid to access services due to fears about public charge implications. She noted that AROC recently re-issued its guide on alternatives to policing in the Arab and Muslim community and is offering trainings.



Bernadette Sy, Executive Director, Filipino American Development Foundation

“We ask that you pass a resolution that prioritizes the African-American, indigenous and immigrant communities that were already vulnerable and now are disproportionately suffering from COVID-19 in cases and deaths and are also at the highest risk to lose their livelihood and housing with the economic crisis.”

Bernadette Sy, executive director of the Filipino American Development Foundation, discussed the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD)’s recommended budget cuts to Filipino organizations and OCEIA’s release of former Language Access Unit Manager Panopio. She asked the Commission to pass a resolution urging City departments to expand funding to essential organizations providing language access and culturally competent services; provide emergency funding for in-language contact tracing and other services for communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19; prioritize eviction prevention and rent subsidies to immigrants and people of color; hire more Filipino-language speakers and have a concerted plan to meet the Filipino language mandate.



Angelica Cabande, Director, SOMCAN

“Even before the pandemic, Filipinos already struggled to maintain a foothold in the city due to the high cost of living.”

Angelica Cabande, director of SOMCAN, provided an overview of the impact of the economic downturn on the Filipino community. She noted that the current moratorium on eviction requires tenants to pay all of their back rent over six months, which she said was unrealistic. She stated that language access is uneven across City departments and expressed her support for the recommendations articulated by Bernadette Sy.



Luisa Antonio, Executive Director, Bayanihan Equity Center

“Fifty-four percent of San Franciscans over the age of 60 speak a primary language other than English.”

Luisa Antonio, executive director of the Bayanihan Equity Center, presented an overview of challenges older adults are facing, including social isolation, food security, the digital divide, and access to in-language services. She recommended that the City pay attention to its vulnerable population, including older adults; avoid cuts to community-based organizations; address the digital divide through investment in older adults; and ensure that vital information is disseminated in Filipino and other languages.



Marco Montenegro, Executive Director, Excelsior Works!

“If the economic recovery committee is only going to focus on getting us back to where we were, that will have been the definition of failure. Because that was not working for everyone.” 

Marco Montenegro, executive director of Excelsior Works!, stated that there is no safety net for undocumented families. He recommended mobile testing, and stressed the importance of engaging community organizations in outreach and education. At the state level, he recommended that eligibility in CalFresh, CalWorks and the Earned Income Tax Credit be expanded to include undocumented immigrants. He said that the City of San Francisco should establish hot spots to provide internet access to all residents. He noted that families need access to health care, including mental health care. He called on banks to cancel mortgage debt in order for building owners to cancel rent debt. He called for immigrant worker-owned cooperatives, paid sick leave, and an increase in the minimum wage. He said the City of San Francisco should urge Speaker Pelosi to push for a pathway to citizenship. He called on the Economic Recovery Task Force to take a bold, inclusive approach to recovery.



Chair Kennelly thanked the speakers and shared questions submitted by members of the public. 



She asked speakers to identify which funds are available to unmarried immigrants, especially LGBTQ individuals. Speakers said the Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants, the emergency assistance fund, and UndocuFund SF are open to unmarried LGBTQ immigrants. Mission Asset Fund’s Immigrant Families Fund prioritizes families but unmarried immigrants can also apply.



Chair Kennelly asked speakers if they had information about reinstating funding to SFILEN. Speakers did not provide a response.



She shared a comment from Maria with the Homeless Prenatal Program about clients’ needs and the need to support organizations that serve undocumented immigrants.



Chair Kennelly asked Diana Otero of Catholic Charities how many Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants team members speak English versus Spanish. All speak English and about 25 percent speak both English and Spanish.

Chair Kennelly invited Director Pon to provide instructions on how to make public comment. Director Pon provided the instructions in English, followed by Language Specialist Cosenza, who provided them in Spanish. Chair Kennelly asked members of the public to keep their comments to two minutes.



José Ng, Immigrant Rights Program Manager, Chinese for Affirmative Action

“Communities are often forced to choose between accessing basic life-saving programs or immigration relief in the future.”

José Ng introduced himself and discussed the work of Chinese for Affirmative Action. He asked the City not to cut the budget to community-based organizations, and noted that community-based organizations have stepped up to connect Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities to in-language resources. 



There was no further public comment.



Following Item 9, Chair Kennelly stated that members of the public who were unable to make public comment due to technical difficulties could email their written testimony to civic.engagement@sfgov.org.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Motion to authorize Executive Committee to determine and execute follow-up actions and recommendations on this Special Hearing (Director Pon)

Commissioner Rahimi made a motion to authorize the Executive Committee to determine and execute follow-up actions and recommendations on the special hearing. Vice Chair Paz seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

This item was heard out of order. Chair Kennelly thanked speakers and members of the public for their insights in sharing how COVID-19 has impacted their communities. She thanked Task Force Co-Chairs Chu and Cisneros for their leadership, and Aaron Yen, André Torrey and Richard Whipple for helping to staff to Task Force. She stated that the Commission looks forward to supporting the work of the Economic Recovery Task Force, and stands in solidarity with the Black community and all who seek to end inequality.

 

(Information/Discussion/Action)   

a. Approval of February 10, 2020 Full Commission Meeting Minutes

Chair Kennelly invited Commissioners to review the minutes from February 10, 2020. Commissioner Ricarte made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Fujii seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Statement on Supreme Court Decision on DACA (Director Pon)

Director Pon noted that OCEIA staff prepared a draft statement in advance of the Supreme Court decision. Commissioners can direct edits or comments to OCEIA staff.



b. Resolution in Support of Board of Supervisors Charter Amendment 200452 [Requirements for Commission Membership] (Commissioner Rahimi) 

Commissioner Rahimi invited Sarah Souza to provide information on the Charter Amendment to allow noncitizen residents of San Francisco to serve on City boards, commissions and advisory committees. Sarah Souza provided an overview of the Charter Amendment sponsored by Supervisor Walton in partnership with President Yee. She stated that she has been working with OCEIA staff on this effort and asked the Commission to endorse the Charter Amendment. 



Commissioner Rahimi discussed his draft resolution in support of the Charter Amendment and asked if the Commission was prepared to approve it. Director Pon suggested that the Commission vote to authorize the Executive Committee and staff to finalize the resolution and issue it to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor’s Office on behalf of the Commission. Commissioner Rahimi made a motion to authorize the Executive Committee to finalize and submit the resolution. Commissioner Monge seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Director’s Updates 

Since the Shelter-in-Place order, OCEIA staff members have been working remotely to provide immigrant assistance, language access, 2020 census and grant programs coordination, and working in the field as Disaster Service Workers. Director Pon provided an overview of the City’s budget projections and its impact on OCEIA. 



She also provided information on funeral services to be held for George Floyd on June 9, 2020. City employees are invited to join Mayor Breed in briefly stopping their work for eight minutes and 46 seconds at 12:00 pm to mourn the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and all individuals who have been killed in the Black community.

a. Proposal for Information Request Letter to Office of Controller (Commissioner Monge)  

Chair Kennelly invited Commissioner Monge to provide an update. Commissioner Monge submitted a request to the Controller’s Office for information on companies the City of San Francisco does business with, that also do business with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). There was a delay in the return of the request due to staff members’ deployment as Disaster Service Workers. Chair Kennelly thanked Commissioner Monge and asked him to bring future updates to the Commission.



b. Proposal to Draft Letter to Businesses on Controller’s List 

Chair Kennelly asked Director Pon to provide an update on the proposal to draft a letter to businesses on the Controller’s list. Director Pon noted that a member of the public had asked the Commission to draft a letter at the Commission’s February meeting. Director Pon researched the matter with the legal department and it is not currently within the Commission’s purview. The list is not available and the matter is at the call of the Mayor and City Attorney’s Office. Chair Kennelly thanked Director Pon for the update.

There was no new business.

Chair Kennelly invited Director Pon to speak. Director Pon suggested that the Commission adjourn the meeting in honor and memory of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and all individuals who have suffered in the Black community, and also as a special tribute to the Commissioner Gaime’s grandmother who passed away in May. Commissioner Rahimi requested that the Commission also honor Sean Monterrosa. Commissioner Gaime thanked Director Pon and affirmed that the Commission honor all those who have passed away.



Chair Kennelly thanked all invited speakers, members of the public, her fellow Commissioners, Sean Phillips with SFGovTV and OCEIA staff. She adjourned the meeting in memory of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Sean Monterrosa, and Commissioner Gaime’s grandmother, and all those who have passed away.