1. Local Responses to Federal Immigration Policy
Tino Gallegos
Immigration Liaison
Office of the City Manager
City of San Antonio

2. Local Government has an interest in immigration policy
Immigrants settle in urban areas and prefer living in the primary county of our large MSAs.
The source of our new immigrant communities has become increasingly diverse
Immigrants make significant contributions to the local economy

3. Immigrants are a significant percentage of the new population of the Big Four Texas MSAs
From the Texas Demograpic Center, “Metropolitan Immigration in Texas”, accessible at:

4. Sources of Immigration are diverse

5. Economic Impact
Source:

6. Immigration integration at the local level is a national trend
Local Government is in a good position to address immigrant integration
Local Governments can experiment with different approaches to find what works
Cities are an important voice in formulating national immigration policy.

7. Identifying best practices
National coalitions of Cities/Local Governments (Cities for Action, Welcoming America)
Civic Engagement and Strategic Planning
Technical Expertise
Programs (iSpeak Houston, Municipal ID, citizenship corners)

8. Common Challenges Language access Understanding U.S. institutions
Acquiring Citizenship
The Impact of Federal immigration enforcement
Navigating eligibility for essential social services: health care, education.

9. The San Antonio Immigration Liaison Office
Grassroots mobilization
Reaction to Federal and State policy
Immigration Enforcement
DACA
Refugee Resettlement
Increased calls from constituents
Prioritizing civic engagement: faith-based initiative, office of equity, office of neighborhoods, participatory budgeting process.
The position was created as a budget item in 2017.

11. SAFE Cities
Public-private partnership to fund a pilot program to provide universal representation to all San Antonio residents in removal (deportation) proceedings:
Vera Institute of Justice:

12. What Austin has already done
Conducted a Welcoming Cities assessment:
Austin Commission on Immigration Affairs:
Welcome to Austin Orientation Sessions: