Resource Type: News-Information

News reports & stories, demographics, research, reports, multi-media.

Spotlight on the Changing Demographics of Hispanic Americans

9/28/23 With more than 62.5 million Hispanic Americans recorded in the 2021 American Community Survey, they now comprise 18.8% of the population. Hispanic households collectively earn more than ever—$1.4 trillion in 2021—allowing them to pay more than $333 billion in taxes. They also fill workforce gaps in industries that face severe labor shortages, such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, and healthcare, making them vital to the U.S. economic engine.

2023 was hottest year in decades

1/8/24  The European climate agency Copernicus said the year was 1.48 degrees Celsius (2.66 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times. That’s barely below the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit that the world hoped to stay within in the 2015 Paris climate accord to avoid the most severe effects of warming. … The 1.5 degree goal “has to be (kept) alive because lives are at risk and choices have to be made,” Burgess said. “And these choices don’t impact you and I but they impact our children and our grandchildren.”  Key Words:  Climate Change

Archive – 2019 Financial Literacy Annual Report

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued its Financial Literacy Annual Report for fiscal year 2019.
Promoting savings has also been a key part of the agency’s work. The Bureau launched Start Small, Save Up, an initiative to encourage the public to save and be better prepared for emergencies or unplanned expenditures. As part of the initiative, the Bureau launched a Savings Boot Camp, a multi-week email course to guide people through the fundamentals of savings.
The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Bureau to report on its work to provide consumers with information to make informed decisions about financial products.

Silicon Valley Index Since 1995

The Silicon Valley Index has been telling the Silicon Valley story since 1995. Released early every year, the Index is a comprehensive report based on indicators that measure the strength of our economy and the health of our community – highlighting challenges and providing an analytical foundation for leadership and decision-making.  Produced by JOINT VENTURE SILICON VALLEY. Key Words: Santa Clara County, SCC, research, demographics

YOUTH IN THE SILICON VALLEY – Together We Raise

Dec 2016 Report – Immigrant youth make up a significant portion of both the population and the workforce in the Silicon Valley. An area famous for its economic wealth, the SV stands out for its deep disparities when it comes to the lives of undocumented immigrants. The report explores the obstacles young immigrants face when trying to access fair wages, housing and higher education. Key Words: DACA, Dreamers

Archive – 2014 Voices of Change Report – Nuestro Futuro Initiative

2014. The findings from over 6 months of community surveys and focus groups carried out by the Hispanic Foundation across San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. More than 2,200 individuals participated. The majority of participants were immigrants, women, and low-income individuals with less than a high school education. In addition, most of the respondents had never been asked to give their input on quality of life issues before the survey. Key Words: Spanish, Latino, Latinx

US Living Wage Calculator

The tool helps individuals, communities, and employers determine a local wage rate that allows residents to meet minimum standards of living. Since 2020, childcare expenses are ground-truthed (established data values for all 3142 counties in the country). We collected data from providers and data aggregators with a focus wherever possible on registered child care centers.

Archive – 2018 San Jose Vietnamese Leadership Academy

7/6/18 In 2018 the San Jose Office of Immigrant Affairs partnered with VietUnity and Sacred Heart to pilot two Civic Leaders Academies, one for the Latino (in Spanish) and another for the Vietnamese community. The programs were designed to encourage leadership and civic engagement in the ethnic communities.
VietUnity produced this video of the Vietnamese American Civic Leaders Academy. Participants graduated after 7 weeks of learning, bonding, and building leadership. Key Words:

Silicon Valley Pain Index Annual Reports

Since 2020, the purposes of the annual Silicon Valley Pain Index [SVPI] reports are to: (1) Provide an efficient, easily digestible, statistical overview of structured inequalities to inform policy and practice in “Silicon Valley.” (2) Serve to measure Santa Clara County’s performance as a “human rights county,” which it declared in 2018.  They show that the wealth gap between White households and Black and Latino communities is widening at an unprecedented rate, and the trends shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

14 steps to America for Afghans

8/25/21 Afghans fleeing Kabul aren’t supposed to reach America’s shores until they’ve passed a multi-step vetting process ” 14 steps, in the case of some interpreters and others who helped the U.S military.
Where it stands: The U.S. has helped evacuate more than 70,000 Afghans since Aug. 14. Only a fraction are believed to have entered the U.S. ” though exactly how many isn’t clear.
The number was estimated last week at roughly 2,000, with 800 coming soon. Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security could share updated numbers Tuesday evening.

VTA ACCESS paratransit service

VTA ACCESS paratransit service is provided to eligible individuals with disabilities who cannot use conventional accessible bus and light rail transit service due to their physical, visual or cognitive disabilities. Paratransit is shared ride public transportation, operating within the same service area and service times as VTA bus and light rail service. Fees = double current transit route fees. Multi-language:
English Brochure | Spanish Brochure | Vietnamese Brochure | Chinese Brochure | VTA ACCESS PARATRANSIT Rider’s Guide May 2023 Update Key Words: AFN,

Silicon Valley Indicators

The Silicon Valley Indicators website is an extensive and always fresh collection of charts and data on Silicon Valley’s economic and community health trends. Continuously updated with all the latest data, it also provides links to local, regional and national data sources, and resources for additional information within each of the indicator categories: People, Economy, Society, Place and Governance.   The Silicon Valley Index has been telling the Silicon Valley story since 1995. Released in February every year, the Index is a comprehensive report based on indicators that measure the strength of our economy and the health of our community highlighting challenges and providing an analytical foundation for leadership and decision making.

Disaster Rights of CA Immigrants

 Disaster Rights of CA Immigrants 

 Admin@CADRESV.org 1 2/3/23v3 

 #1 It’s safe for immigrants to seek help 

President Biden expanded the national Protected Areas Policy which states that immigration enforcement agents should not arrest or intimidate people at or near places where disaster relief is being provided: emergency response shelters, service centers, places along evacuation routes (such as roadside checkpoints) or where family reunification is underway 

*See page 2 for more Protected Areas 

#2 Everyone is eligible for disaster relief. 

Eligibility for help is based on disaster-related needs – not on immigration status or income. Everyone is eligible for immediate, non-cash emergency relief. Eligibility for some longer-term government programs may require at least one citizen or eligible immigrant in the household. But all immigrants should feel safe to ask for the help they need from the responding non-profit or faith-based organizations. 

CA state law (SB 2327) prohibits disaster relief workers from asking for unnecessary documents or from asking questions about an individual’s immigration status. No one should be denied emergency assistance due to a lack of personal documents, which may have been lost or destroyed in a disaster. 

#3 Accepting disaster assistance will not affect your immigration status 

Immigrants may be concerned that accepting disaster assistance could affect their immigration status. This is not true. The Public Charge Rule (Dec, 22) confirms that disaster assistance will not be considered in a public charge test when a person applies for a green card. This Public Charge Safe to Use List (see page 2**) also includes non-disaster-related benefits and services that are never considered, such as food, medical care, insurance, children’s programs, religious activities, education, and more. Disaster relief assistance is free and does not have to be repaid. 

#4 Everyone has rights – Report Concerns 

Everyone has a right to emergency information and assistance in a language they can understand and in a place they can access. Advocates and Service Providers can educate themselves and their communities on immigrant rights before a disaster. They can help identify and mitigate obstacles to access. Afterward, they can make sure people have the accurate information and necessary support to successfully apply for assistance. Disaster Rights of CA Immigrants 

Admin@CADRESV.org 2 2/3/23v3 

Links to Resources 

  • • List of free and low-cost legal advice services in the San Francisco Bay Area 
  • • Directory of California Rapid Response Networks to report ICE activities around protected areas – CA Collaborative for Immigrant Justice 
  • • Multi-language Earthquake Safety Information – CADRE website 
  • • Links to local, state and national resources and information – Immigrantinfo.org 
  • • **Public Charge Safe to Use List (May, 21) English Spanish 
  • • FEMA Government Disaster Assistance for Undocumented Immigrants (English) 10/9/20 

*Other Protected Areas: 

In addition to disaster or emergency response and relief activities, “protected areas” include: 

  • • A school, such as a pre-school, primary or secondary school, vocational or trade school, or college or university. 
  • • Places that provide social services “essential to people in need”: food banks, domestic violence shelters, facilities that serve disabled persons. 
  • • Places where children gather, childcare centers, after-school programs, foster care facility, bus stops, and playgrounds. 
  • • Medical treatment facilities: hospitals, doctor’s offices, COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites, mental health providers, community health centers, urgent care centers, places that serve pregnant people. 
  • • A place where there is an ongoing parade, demonstration, or rally. 
  • • Places of worship or religious study including temporary structures dedicated to activities of faith. 
  • • A place where a funeral, graveside ceremony, rosary, wedding, or other religious or civil ceremonies or observances occur. 

2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Spanish

2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Vietnamese

2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-English 2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Spanish 2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Vietnamese 2-3-12 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Simplified Chinese

 

Final Public Charge Rule

12/23/22   Only those deemed likely to be primarily dependent on cash aid for income maintenance or long-term care at government expense could be denied for public charge.  Remember, the public charge test only applies to some programs and some immigrants.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Abortion Access for Immigrants

This resource addresses immigrant-specific concerns and provides information on how to access abortions.

If you are applying for an immigration benefit or have questions about your status, you should talk with a qualified immigration lawyer.

This resource provides guidance on the following questions:

  • If abortion is legal in my state, can I get one even if I’m undocumented?
  • If I get an abortion, will it affect my immigration status or my ability to get my citizenship?
  • Can I travel to another state for an abortion if I am undocumented?
    What do I do if I can’t afford an abortion?
  • Can I get health care, including abortions, in my language?
  • What happens if I am undocumented and pregnant, and have a medical emergency?
    Is it safe to seek health care if I am undocumented?
  • Do I need to show an identification card to get health care?
  • Can I use medication for an abortion?
  • Can I self-manage my abortion without a health care provider?

2024 INTERFAITH CALENDAR

A listing of 2023 dates of the primary sacred times for world religions including Judaism, Islam, Buddhist, Hindu,
Christian, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Sikh, Shinto, Jain, Confucian, Daoist, Native American, Materialism,
Secular Humanism and more. . Very convenient to avoid conflicts when scheduling events for multi-cultural populations.

Santa Clara Develops Infrastructure to Address Racial and Health Equity

Building on the results of health assessments and a revised strategic plan, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, California, is developing internal infrastructure to advance racial and health equity. This includes hiring dedicated staff to lead department-wide efforts, developing a training program for its public health workforce, and pilot testing the application of racial equity tools.

CADRE Connection Newsletter – December 2023

CADRE – (Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort) is the Santa Clara County chapter of NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).  We are part of the network of local, state, and national VOADs.  CADRE provides free culturally appropriate disaster preparation training and facilitates collaboration between service providers.  During disasters, CADRE convenes nonprofits, faith-based and government entities to 1) Establish the current status of the emergency, 2) Connect like- organizations, 3) Develop relevant resources, and 4) Help find solutions, and 5) Give a voice to vulnerable populations in the disaster planning and relief process.

SCC Division of Equity and Social Justice (DESJ)

The DESJ departments provide numerous resources to the community. The Santa Clara County provides fiscal resources to numerous community organizations or agencies within the county to help best serve the community. The DESJ is a partner with many organizations to provide information, resources and leadership in efforts to assist the most marginalized individuals within the county. The DESJ is in the process of collecting available resource information to create guides that can be distributed to the community. Until this guide is available, please get informed with more specific information on how each department is providing resources by following their respective link below.

Final Public Charge Rule

12/23/22 Only those deemed likely to be primarily dependent on cash aid for income maintenance or long-term care at government expense could be denied for public charge. Remember, the public charge test only applies to some programs and some immigrants.

Visa Interview Wait Times Reach New Highs: 247 Days for Visitors / ?Business Travelers

7/19/22 The State Department is failing to fulfill its responsibilities under immigration law. The huge wait times are distorting the U.S. economy, its labor market, and international investment. They are harming U.S. businesses who need consumers and workers. They are keeping Americans and immigrants from being able to visit with their families. It is an embarrassment to our country, and it is completely unacceptable. Congress should investigate this failing department and require it to process visas in accordance with the law.

The Missing Link: Connecting Eligible Asylees and Asylum Seekers with Benefits and Services

Multiple options exist under current law to improve asylees’ links to the benefits and services for which they are eligible, as this report explores, and doing so would help support asylees’ well-being and integration. The U.S. communities in which they live would also reap benefits from these investments as asylees upskill to meet staffing shortages, contribute to local economies, and become active members of their communities.

Listos SCC Disaster Directory

8/21 Listos has published directories for all 58 CA Counties in multiple languages Each directory provides:
* A brief profile of the county’s disaster risks
* Relevant vulnerabilities of its residents
* State and local alert resources for
* General emergencies
* Earthquakes
* Wildfires
* Public Safety Power Shutoffs
* Resources for people who are medically dependent on electricity
* State and county resources on COVID-19
Key Words: Language Access

California makes history with food benefits for undocumented residents

6/28/22 California will become the first state to provide undocumented residents over age 55 with state-subsidized food assistance benefits. On Sunday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an agreement on the 2022-2023 state budget, which includes $35.2 million in funding to expand the California Food Assistance Program to low-income people 55 years and older, regardless of immigration status; the funding is expected to increase to $113.4 million annually in 2025-26
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Cultural Quick Reference Guides

These two-page Cultural Quick Reference Guides support the provider-client relationship by giving country-specific information on cultural norms, health practices, and courtesies to observe to enhance communication. Languages and literacy, personal greetings, naming conventions, and non-verbal signals are included to support optimal provider-client interaction. Facts about TB in country with details on stigma, traditional remedies, and beliefs, will aid providers in better understanding patient expectations regarding treatment. From the SE National Center for Tuberculosis (SNTC) Available for: Afghanistan, China, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Mexico and Ukraine.

2021 Report on International Religious Freedom

6/2/22 The annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom”the International Religious Freedom Report”describes the status of religious freedom in every country. The report covers government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and U.S. policies to promote religious freedom around the world. The U.S. Department of State submits the reports in accordance with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

Biden signs bill to create commission studying AAPI museum

6/13/22 President Joe Biden on Monday signed “H.R. 3525″or the “Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act” into law, telling those assembled at the East Room of the White House that generations of AAPI individuals “have literally shaped the history and the contours of this country.”

40% of AAPI LGBTQ youths have considered suicide in last year

4/20/22 The survey from the Trevor Project found that 40 percent of LGBTQ youths who are Asian American or Pacific Islander, or AAPI, have seriously considered suicide in the past year. Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian youths experienced the highest rate, at 49 percent, followed by Korean American youths, at 47 percent, and Filipino American youths, at 41 percent.
The report also includes responses from Indian, Vietnamese and Chinese American LGBTQ youths.

REFUGEE PROCESSING CENTER (RPC)

The Refugee Processing Center (RPC) is operated by the U.S Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, Virginia USA.
At the RPC and at Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs), an interactive computer system called the Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) is used to process and track the movement of refugees from various countries around the world to the U.S. for resettlement under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

THE LONG TAIL OF AFGHAN RELOCATION AND RESETTLEMENT: Achievements, Obstacles, and Opportunities

4/22 REPORT TO THE OPERATION ALLIES WELCOME UNIFIED COORDINATION GROUP – Short-sightedness in identifying preferred relocation and resettlement solutions has come at the expense of devising sustainable, long-term strategies. Every step of the
way, Afghans in the US have been met by agencies trying to address their needs while dealing with staffing and funding shortfalls and already full case loads. In addition to strains on the resettlement program, the crisis has also put an enormous strain on legal service providers, who are necessary to implement long-term strategies.

FACT SHEET: The Biden Administration Blueprint for a Fair, Orderly and Humane Immigration System

7/27/21 Today the Administration is releasing a blueprint that outlines the next steps Federal agencies will be taking to continue implementing the President’s transformative vision for a 21st century immigration system that secures the border, fairly and efficiently considers asylum claims, strengthens regional migration management efforts in North and Central America, and addresses the root causes of migration from Central America. Success in building this fair, orderly, and humane immigration system won’t be achieved overnight, especially after the prior Administration’s irrational and inhumane policies, but this Administration has a blueprint to get there and is making real progress.

Santa Clara County leaders want office to track hate crimes

6/5/22 The Board of Supervisors recently directed county workers to come up with a plan for implementing dozens of recommendations for addressing hate crimes. This would include developing a reporting system for hate-based incidents and making data about these incidents more transparent to the public. The board also asked for more details about the creation of a new county office that would receive and track reports of hate incidents and crimes. The San Jose Police Department reported 116 hate crimes in 2021, compared to 89 in 2020 and 33 in 2019. This is part of a broader pattern in California where the overall number of hate crimes increased from 1,015 in 2019 to 1,330 in 2020.

DHS Working with Local Law Enforcement – 287(g) Program Overview

7/21 Section 287(g) of the INA allows the DHS to enter into formal written agreements (Memoranda of Agreement or MOAs) with state or local law enforcement agencies and deputize selected state and local law enforcement officers to perform certain functions of federal immigration agents. The MOAs are negotiated between DHS and the local authorities and include delegation of authority to a limited number of state and local officers. All of this must be done under the supervision of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Deputized officers are required to abide by federal civil rights laws and regulations. In general, deputized officers are authorized to:
287(g) End-of-Year
Report

Archive – 2022 Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad completed May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a monthlong celebration that is now known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

COVID-19 RECOVERY TASK FORCE

9/21 In September 2021, the San José City Council approved 55 organizations to the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, an important part of the City’s Community and Economic Recovery strategy.
This Task Force, which will be convened for no more than a year, will be an opportunity for the City to engage with and learn from the people and communities who have been most impacted by the pandemic. Recovery is not for the City to do alone, rather this work must be done with the whole community, for the benefit of those most burdened by the crisis, guided by their wisdom, tapping into their potential, and building on their deep enduring strength.

Immigration reform could prevent food prices from harming consumers

6/3/22 Our national security is tied to our ability to feed ourselves. As former officials who served in the Bush administration, we see an urgent need to address the labor shortage in the agricultural industry by fixing our immigration system. That would allow farmworkers to contribute to the economy free from uncertainty and fear and keep food on the tables of America’s families at lower costs.

California Hard-to-Count Index Interactive Map

Many California residents live in areas that, based on demographic, socioeconomic and housing characteristics, may be hard to count in the 2020 Census. This interactive map* shows California census tracts and block groups shaded by their California Hard-to-Count Index, a metric that incorporates 14 variables correlated with an area being difficult to enumerate. Census tracts and block groups with higher CA-HTC indexes likely will pose significant challenges to numerate in 2020, while tracts and block groups with lower indexes should be easier to count.

COVID-19 Funding Stalls Over Immigration Dispute as Virus Cases Tick Up

4/8/22 For weeks, the White House has pressed Congress to pass new funding in order to keep up the federal government’s testing capabilities and purchasing power of therapeutics and vaccines. Senate negotiators struck a bipartisan agreement on Monday to replenish those funds. But a day later, the GOP blocked a procedural vote over an immigration-related public health order.

Addressing Learning Loss in Disadvantaged Kids

4/8/22 Students with disabilities, those learning English and students who live in rural communities learn at the same rate during the academic year – and often faster – than their peers who are not disadvantaged, but they lose much more ground over the summer, according to new research from the nonprofit education policy and assessment organization NWEA.

The finding bolsters calls by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for state education officials and school leaders to offer intensive summer learning programs for students who have incurred the steepest academic losses due to chronic interruptions to learning during the pandemic.

Path to Permanent Residency for TPS Beneficiaries Restored

On March 21, 2022 USCIS agreed to restore a path to permanent residency for Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries. Because of this settlement, TPS beneficiaries impacted by then-Acting Director Cuccinelli’s policy will be able to reopen and dismiss their removal orders and apply to adjust their status to become permanent residents”eliminating the threat of deportation if their TPS protections are revoked in the future.
Multi-language: Spanish

Understanding the Impact of Extreme Heat Events

3/28/22 The Los Angeles Times recently published an article detailing the impact of heat-related deaths in California and found that extreme heat caused approximately 3,900 deaths in California over the past decade”that is six times more than the state’s official count. Even so, extreme heat receives substantially less awareness than other disasters, despite killing more Americans each year than wildfires, hurricanes, and floods.

26 Steps to Preparedness Workbook

This workbook from Campbell CERT shows you how to build an emergency preparedness food, water and supply kit over the course of several weeks or months at a pace that fits into your already busy life. We’ve created this tool drawing from the guidelines of several authoritative agencies (FEMA, Ready.gov, Red Cross, and Santa Clara County Fire). Our Food & Water Calculator is designed to give you an idea of your food and water needs for the number of people in your household.
For more information, contact 26steps@campbellcert.org.

Board Resolution Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis

6/23/21 Our County’s Division of Equity and Social Justice was created to address social inequities that exist within County services including racial and ethnic disparities. The coronavirus outbreak laid bare the disproportionate number of people of color getting COVID-19 in our County, including our Latino population countywide and our Latino, African American and Asian American communities in East San Jose.
Other communities across the Country have declared racism a public health crisis including the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Madison County, Cook County, the City of Pittsburgh, the City of Boston, Kansas City and the State of Arizona.

County creates New Office to Address Systemic Inequities that Negatively Impact Historically Marginalized Communities

1/10/22 The new Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer will collaborate and partner with County departments to integrate values of diversity, equity, and belonging into their operations and to build organizational capacity to address systemic inequities that contribute to poor outcomes for historically marginalized communities. Dr. Analilia García, who is trained in public health and has built a career championing social justice, started today as Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, and will lead the newly created Office of Equity, Diversity and Belonging.

Extreme heat is one of the deadliest consequences of climate change.

10/7/21 Between 2010 and 2019, the hottest decade on record, California’s official data from death certificates attributed 599 deaths to heat exposure.
But a Times analysis found that the true toll is probably six times higher. An examination of mortality data from this period shows that thousands more people died on extremely hot days than would have been typical during milder weather. All told, the analysis estimates that extreme heat caused about 3,900 deaths.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW WHEN ENROLLING MY CHILDREN IN PUBLIC BENEFITS?

3/21 Programs like Medicaid, CHIP, ACA Marketplace Coverage, School Breakfast & Lunch, WIC and SNAP (“food stamps”) help your children lead healthier lives. You may have questions about whether your child’s use of these health and nutrition programs will affect your
immigration status or your application for a green card. This document provides answers to frequently asked questions to help you make good decisions for your family. Key Words: Public Charge

Types of Student Loan Forgiveness, Cancellation, and Discharge

The terms forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge mean nearly the same thing, but they’re used in different ways. If you’re no longer required to make payments on your loans due to your job, this is generally called forgiveness or cancellation. If you’re no longer required to make payments on your loans due to other circumstances, such as a total and permanent disability or the closure of the school where you received your loans, this is generally called discharge.

San Jose mandala ceremony offers universal lesson in change

4/6/22 As chanting filled the main hall of a local Buddhist temple Sunday afternoon, San Jose resident Trang Huynh joined with about 50 people in praying and celebrating a sand mandala dissolution ceremony.
The monks, assigned by the Dalai Lama, spent more than three days meticulously pouring sand by hand onto a blueprint to create the mandala. The holy ceremony ends with the breaking of the sand circle, as colorful grains of sand are swirled together into a gray pile. This symbolizes a core lesson of impermanence: Everything is bound to change and nothing lasts forever.

SEPARATION AND STIGMA: Transgender Youth & School Facilities

2017 Schools across the country have a legal obligation to
enforce policies that protect students from harassment
and discrimination”and that obligation includes
protecting transgender students from discrimination,
harassment, and violence. Unfortunately, too many
transgender students experience school to be a place
where they are unsafe and unsupported”a place where
they can’t even safely use the restroom. A school’s
responsibility and ability to keep all students safe is not
compromised by allowing a transgender student to use
the facilities consistent with their gender identity. When
schools deny transgender students access to these
facilities, they are inflicting profound harm on these
students, and making it impossible or unsafe for some
transgender students to attend school at all.

Will the U.S. receive Ukrainian refugees?

3/11/22 The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered the swiftest refugee displacement crisis in Europe since World War II, prompting more than 2.5 million people to flee the country during the conflict’s first two weeks.
While President Biden said Friday that the U.S. should welcome them “with open arms,” the U.S. will likely not receive large numbers of Ukrainian refugees in the immediate future, immigration policy experts said.
As of March 11, most Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighboring countries, 1.5 million of them to Poland, 225,000 to Hungary and 176,000 to Slovakia. Tens of thousands have also crossed into Russia, Romania and Moldova. Another 282,000 have left for other European countries, including Germany.

2023 HHS Language Access Plan Update

If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating effectively in English, you may need an interpreter or document translation in order to have meaningful access to programs funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires recipients of Federal financial assistance to take reasonable steps to make their programs, services, and activities accessible by eligible persons with limited English proficiency. Read the Press Release   Lea el comunicado de prensa en español   阅读中文新闻稿 (Chinese – Simplified)     閱讀中文新聞稿 (Chinese – Traditional)     Read the Report – PDF   Leer el informe (Spanish) – PDF   阅读报告 (Chinese – Simplified) – PDF*   閱讀報告 (Chinese – Traditional) – PDF*  Key Words: LEP, Language Access, equitable 

The Black-White Wealth Gap Left Black Families More Vulnerable

12/20/20 The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted devastating effects on the U.S. economy, with job losses especially concentrated among women, minorities, and low-wage workers. Economists have described the uneven and unequal economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession as a “K-shaped” recovery, characterized by divergent recovery trajectories for the affluent relative to those of less means. While considerable attention has been devoted to examining the preexisting disparities in labor market outcomes that left some households more vulnerable than others to the COVID-19 recession, less attention has been paid to the role of wealth in determining a household’s ability to buffer the pandemic’s economic shocks. Key Words: Equity

UndocuBlack: The Cruelty Behind Title 42 and Its Impact on Black Migrants

3/19/22 The official reason for the enaction of the policy by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is to protect Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and the public health from COVID-19, public health emergencies. And to curtail the swarm of people in congregate settings such as that in immigration detention centers. But as all harmful policies, this policy, specifically and disproportionately, affects the Black and brown immigrants who are making the treacherous journey to the U.S. seeking safety from violence, civil unrest, murder and natural disasters.

CA has new benefits for undocumented immigrants. They’re not enough, workers say

4/3/22 Introduced last month by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, a Democrat from Coachella, and currently under review in the legislature, AB 2847 would create the Excluded Workers Pilot Program, a two-year program that would provide funds to undocumented workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced during the calendar year 2023. The proposal, estimated at $597 million, plus administrative costs, would allow qualifying, unemployed individuals to receive up to $300 a week for 20 weeks.

With protections ending, what tenants and landlords need to know

4/1/22 After two years, four extensions and untold numbers of public and private aid programs, California’s broad safety net for renters struggling through the pandemic is being dismantled this month. Lawmakers this week extended a statewide eviction moratorium through June but only for families that have applied to the state’s emergency relief assistance program, Housing is Key. The $5.5 billion relief fund closed to new applications March 31.

SAVE Fact Sheet – Information for SAVE Users: Afghan Arrival Categories, Documentation, and SAVE Responses

4/3/22 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading and coordinating ongoing efforts across the federal government to support vulnerable Afghans, including those who worked alongside us in Afghanistan for the past two decades, as they safely resettle in the United States. These Afghan arrivals generally fall within one of four categories that are eligible for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Drowning just below the surface: The socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

11/22/21 The COVID-19 pandemic has had major economic, as well as health, impacts on every nation in the world. It has amplified existing inequalities, created new ones, and destabilized communities”reversing development gains made in recent decades.
The enormous socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 are wide-ranging and have not affected everyone equally. Throughout this pandemic, those facing the greatest vulnerabilities have been the people and groups most neglected by society”those who were already drowning just below the surface. Multi-language:
Spanish |
Arabic |
French |

Trauma-informed instruction for immigrant students

More and more educators across the country are learning about the impacts of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on students. Researchers estimate that half of the U.S. student population has experienced or is still experiencing some type of trauma, violence, or chronic stress
For immigrant students, the sources of trauma may be complex and may be related to:
***the reasons the family left their home country (such as war or wide-spread violence)
***difficult conditions, violence, sexual assault, or casualties during the journey to this country
***forced separation from a parent or sibling on the journey
***Experiences related to immigration enforcement
trauma and anxiety can impact students’ behavior and the importance of getting a complete picture of the source of the issue before taking steps that can have long-term consequences for the student.

San Jose council ends COVID mask mandate

4/5/22 The city’s masking guidelines now align with the county and state, which lifted mask mandates earlier this year in almost all public indoor settings. The City Council unanimously approved ending local restrictions Tuesday with no discussion.
Residents, regardless of vaccination status, are no longer required to wear a mask except in certain high-risk settings such as hospitals, jails, homeless shelters, long-term care facilities and on public transit.

Immigrants in California

3/21 Report from the Public Policy Institute of CA (PPIC)- California has more immigrants than any other state.
California is home to almost 11 million immigrants”about a quarter of the foreign-born population nationwide. In 2019, the most current year of data, 27% of California’s population was foreign born, more than double the percentage in the rest of the country. Foreign-born residents represented at least one-third of the population in five California counties: Santa Clara (39%), San Mateo (35%), Los Angeles (34%), San Francisco (34%), and Alameda (33%). Half of California children have at least one immigrant parent. Multi-language:
Spanish

California leaders rush to improve student mental health care

3/4/22 As California kids struggle with the emotional toll of the pandemic, natural disasters and community-wide trauma, and schools grapple with an inadequate supply of mental health care services and clinicians to support students, state leaders are sprinting to pass a bill that could allow public schools to hire as many as 10,000 new mental health counselors.

Economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on South Asians in the U.S.

10/10/20 Economic and social impacts of the current pandemic that are based on immigration status, employment opportunities, and healthcare access are major issues for South Asians in the U.S. There is wide income inequality with nearly 10% of South Asians in the U.S. living in poverty. Many have low paid and temporary jobs, including in the informal sector, and little to no savings. The pandemic disproportionately impacts these communities but there has been little media coverage. To highlight this gap, we present selected research from our forthcoming manuscript to be published later this month, which are complemented by community-based findings from the recent SAALT report on the disparate impact of COVID-19 across South Asian communities.

The importance of race, gender, and religion in naturalization adjudication in the US

3/1/22 This study examines group disparities in naturalization approvals by race/ethnicity, gender, and religion. We find that all else being equal, non-White applicants and Hispanic applicants are less likely to be approved than non-Hispanic White applicants, male applicants are less likely to be approved than female applicants, and applicants from Muslim-majority countries are less likely to be approved than applicants from other countries. In addition, we find that race/ethnicity, gender, and religion combine to produce a certain group hierarchy in terms of approval probabilities. For example, Blacks from Muslim-majority countries are much less likely to be approved than Whites from other countries. These findings underscore the continuing importance of race, gender, and religion in the making of US citizens.

Santa Clara County Tackles Children’s Covid-19 Grief

2/25/22 More than one in 330 children in the state have lost at least one of their caretakers to Covid-19, a disease that has now killed more than 928,000 people nationwide.
Loss is crushing for anyone, but the death of a parent or guardian carries potentially lifelong impacts for children ” and could very well be one of the most enduring consequences of this pandemic.

2021 Trafficking in Persons Report

Human Trafficking in the Context of a Global Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis with unprecedented repercussions for human rights and economic development globally, including in human trafficking. COVID-19 generated conditions that increased the number of people who experienced vulnerabilities to human trafficking and interrupted existing and planned anti-trafficking interventions. Governments across the world diverted resources toward the pandemic, often at the expense of anti-trafficking efforts, resulting in decreased protection measures and service provision for victims, reduction of preventative efforts, and hindrances to investigations and prosecutions of traffickers. At the same time, human traffickers quickly adapted to capitalize on the vulnerabilities exposed and exacerbated by the pandemic.

Cyberattack on International Committee of the Red Cross

2/4/22 Recently, a sophisticated cyberattack was detected against computer servers hosting information held by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The attack compromised personal data and confidential ICRC information of more than 515,000 vulnerable people, including those separated from their families due to conflict, migration and disaster, missing persons and their families, and people in detention.
The attack impacted the ICRC system that the American Red Cross uses to conduct the Restoring Family Links program. The ICRC, along with the wider Red Cross and Red Crescent network, jointly runs Restoring Family Links, which seeks to reunite family members separated by conflict, disaster or migration.

Neither Safety nor Health – How Title 42 Expulsions Harm Health and Violate Rights

7/21 Report from Physicians for Human Rights – Toward the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Trump administration overrode the objections of public health experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and compelled them to issue an order under Title 42 that closed the border to migrants and asylum seekers. The government used public health as a pretext to summarily expel children and adults seeking refuge at the U.S. border more than 980,000 times, while at the same time allowing other types of travelers to continue to cross the border with no testing or quarantine requirements.

Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law

9/30/21 Revised Policy from Alejandro Mayorkas – The immigration enforcement guidelines require the protection of civil rights and civil liberties. A noncitizen’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, political associations, or exercise of First Amendment rights cannot be factors in deciding to take enforcement action. For the first time, they explicitly guard against the use of immigration enforcement as a tool of retaliation for a noncitizen’s assertion of legal rights, such as the right to exercise workplace or tenant rights. The guidelines make clear that immigration enforcement authority shall not be used as an instrument of unscrupulous employers seeking to exploit their employees’ immigration status.

Improving Access to Public Websites and Digital Services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons

12/21 Many entities – government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses – use websites and digital services to provide information and services to the public, to accept applications, and to manage accounts. Individuals with Limited English proficiency (LEP) access these websites and digital services.
Digital services involve the electronic delivery of information, including data and content, across
multiple platforms or devices, such as text, audio, video, mobile applications, and graphics that are transmitted for viewing over the internet. This includes social media (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc.), websites, and applications that enable users to create and share information and content or to participate in social networking. Vital information displayed on these platforms or devices should be accessible to persons with LEP in frequently encountered languages.

Archive – Vice President Kamala Harris Swears In President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders

2/3/22 Vice President Kamala Harris swore in 23 members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (PACAANHPI) The PACAANHPI was created in May 2021, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advise the President on ways to advance equity, justice and opportunity for the AAPI and Native Hawaiian communities.

COVID Collaaborative

12-9-21 We’ve assembled a diverse and comprehensive team of leading experts in health, education, and the economy to shape the work of the COVID Collaborative, develop consensus recommendations, and engage with state and local leaders across America – ensuring that our efforts are truly from the nation, for the nation.

California’s new plan for moving from “pandemic” to “endemic” COVID-19

2/17/22 State’s top health official unveils a strategy for living with the virus. The plan promises more reliable supplies of essential tools, so California is less dependent on unstable global supply chains. It will stockpile thousands of ventilators, 75 million masks and 30 million over-the-counter tests.