Category Archives: Immigration
Latino and Farmworker Spanish speaking communities COVID-19 FB Live
The Center for Healthy Communities within the California Department of Public Health has partnered with the Mexican Consulate to host a serious of four COVID-19 Facebook Live events Tuesday’s at 12:00 p.m. (60 minutes each).
- The target audience are the Latino and Farmworker Spanish speaking communities.
- The first event is scheduled for Tuesday October 20, 2020, at 12:00 p.m.
- Subsequent events to occur weekly thereafter on Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m.
- Topics discussed include: COVID 101, worker’s rights, contract tracing, testing, mental health, and disaster preparedness.
The events will stream on the Mexican Consulate’s Facebook page on October 20 and 27 and November 3 and 10, 2020, at noon on each day, at www.facebook.com/consulmexsac.
10/21 – DACA Updates & Free Legal COnsultations
Catholic Charities is hosting a DACA update event and free legal consultations on Wednesday, October 21st from 4pm to 6pm. They will be providing DACA updates and legal consultations. Please share with your networks.
Sobrato Announces $5.2M Investment to Support Immigrant Resilience (Eng & Sp)
In a press release last week, “…John A. Sobrato announced a $5.2 million grant to seed a new Immigrant Relief Fund for San Mateo County. The fund will launch with $8.9 million total in public and private investments.”
“The new Immigrant Relief Fund for San Mateo County is unique in that it brings together a partnership of nonprofits to distribute grant funds and provide services to support recipients’ long term resilience – including: Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, Samaritan House, Faith in Action Bay Area, and Mission Asset Fund (MAF). Working together, these nonprofits are partnering to provide undocumented families with $1,000 unrestricted cash grants and wraparound services to help them weather the COVID-19 crisis”.
En un comunicado de prensa la semana pasada, “… John A. Sobrato anunció una contribución de $ 5.2 millones para impulsar un nuevo Fondo para Ayuda a Inmigrantes en el Condado de San Mateo. El fondo se lanzará con un total de $ 8.9 millones en inversiones públicas y privadas”.
“El nuevo Fondo de Ayuda para Inmigrantes en el Condado de San Mateo es único en el sentido de que reúne a una asociación de organizaciones sin fines de lucro para distribuir fondos de subvenciones y proporcionar servicios para apoyar a los beneficiarios’ a largo plazo, incluyendo: Sociedad de Ayuda Legal del Condado de San Mateo, Samaritan House, Faith en Action Bay Area y Mission Asset Fund (MAF). Trabajando juntas, estas organizaciones sin fines de lucro se están asociando para proporcionar a las familias indocumentadas efectivo sin restricciones de $ 1,000 y servicios integrales para ayudarles a superar la crisis de COVID-19 “.
Keep Getting the Help You Need
In a new media outreach campaign, county officials aim to make it clear that no changes have been made at this time to “public charge” definitions as it relates to immigrants and immigration status. In fact, county officials strongly encourage all clients and patients to continue getting the help they need by accessing healthcare, food and housing services whenever necessary.
Last year, the federal government put forth a proposal that could significantly affect how immigration officials determine whether or not an immigrant is primarily dependent on government assistance.
Several lead organizations in San Mateo County including the Health and Human Services Agency, Health Plan of San Mateo, the Department of Housing, the Office of Community Affairs and the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County have joined together to ease concerns around “public charge.”
Free legal aid and interpretation services are being offered to help answer any questions about green card applications and immigration-related or public charge issues. Providers are encouraged to connect their clients with this resource.
Download the poster below for more information or print and post in your offices.
Free Citizenship Assistance Workshops – Jan. 26th
Hosted by: The International Institute of the Bay Area
Day: Saturday, January 26th, 2019
Times: 9am, 10am, 11am
Location: Hillsdale High School Cafeteria / 3115 Del Monte St. San Mateo, CA 94403
At the event, you will receive FREE eligibility screening, application assistance and review of your application by Immigration Attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives.
What you need to do:
- Bring your confirmation number!
- Be on time! If you arrive late, we may not be able to assist you.
- You must apply in person. No-one else can apply for you.
- Bring all your required documents with you.
Register and view the full workshop description and required documents HERE!
August 5 – One Community: Healing and Empowered Together
Join us on Sunday, August 5th from 3pm – 5pm at Red Morton Community Center in Redwood City (1400 Roosevelt Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061) for an event celebrating solidarity and unity!
Families of many different backgrounds experience the pain of separation, whether we had to leave family behind to seek opportunity for the future, we were forced apart by by discriminatory policies, or we lost our link to family when we lost our language and cultural practices. We all deserve the care and support of family. Join us to celebrate family unity across cultures! Kids activities, light refreshments, and free family portraits available!
Several Health Equity Initiative Co-chairs collaborated to make this event possible. Come enjoy amazing and inspirational keynote speakers including Macrina Mota- Pineda from the documentary “Torn Apart”, youth poets, and more!
Immigration’s Threat to Health
The topic of immigration is controversial and complex. However regardless of one’s personal views on the issue, it is undeniable that the uncertainty and lack of information in our communities is ultimately detrimental to the communities’ health. An article by the Washington Post describes how the stress experienced by the threat of deportation can have devastating effects on health, beyond those immediately affected.
“Over time, such chronic stress, unaddressed, will make them far more vulnerable to heart disease, asthma, diabetes and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
The University of Michigan conducted a study on the impact of the 2008 federal immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, the largest in U.S. history. The study found an increase of Hispanic babies born with low birth weight, which can cause long term health risks, a 24% increase in comparison to the year before.
The study also found that the risk for low birth weight was equally high for Latinas with protected legal status, “…in spite of their apparent safety, their bodies were reacting as if they, too, could soon be deported.” This can result in an “epigenetic” effect that modifies the way genes are expressed, allowing for the transmission of “vulnerabilities to stress from one generation to the next.”
While the debate over immigration continues, it is important to take a moment to recognize that what affects one group actually affects us all. We have a responsibility to care for the health of all community members, but equally important, to stay informed and aid those who are vulnerable.
4/29- Health for All Workshop
Join BHRS and the San Mateo County Legal Aid Society to learn about available health coverage programs for San Mateo County residents and how to become and remain eligible for them. This event is free and open to the public.
When and Where?
Sunday, April 29 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Municiple Services Building, Betty Weber Room
See the event flier for more information.
February 26 – “Torn Apart” Film Screening
The Prevention Training Academy Film Series is featuring “Torn Apart,” a documentary produced by the San Jose Mercury News in 2010 about a San Mateo family’s struggle to stay together. The film shines a light on the experiences of immigrant families and how the organization, Fools Mission, is working to empower and support them. Read more
You must be logged in to post a comment.