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Immigrant integration in Santa Clara County (SCC)

Immigrant integration in Santa Clara County (SCC). Teresa Castellanos Office of Human Relations Immigrant Relations & Integration Services 2013. Teresa Castellanos , Immigrant Relations and Integration Services Lead Coordinator. Presenter. According to MediaNet analysis of Census Data

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Immigrant integration in Santa Clara County (SCC)

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  1. Immigrant integration in Santa Clara County (SCC) Teresa Castellanos Office of Human Relations Immigrant Relations & Integration Services 2013

  2. Teresa Castellanos, Immigrant Relations and Integration Services Lead Coordinator Presenter

  3. According to MediaNet analysis of Census Data • SCC has the largest population of Hindi speakers in the US • 2nd largest population of Vietnamese Speakers • 3rd largest population of Farsi Speakers • 5th largest population of Chinese speakers • There are about 40 Asian ethnic media outlets based in the South Bay including multiple newspapers serving South Asians, Vietnamese and Chinese communities. Demographic & Language Diversity in SCC

  4. SJUSD teaches English to students who speak about 40 languages at home from Arabic to Tigrinya (Language from Eritrea) • Spanish remains the most common foreign language in the County • Over 49% of the population speaks a language other than English at home Languages in SCC

  5. Relationships go in two directions • Leadership is human nature • We have more in common that we have difference • Respect means being open to continuous learning about a community • Communities are fluid • High light & acknowledge contributions • Communities speak for themselves Values in Working with the Immigrant Community

  6. Immigrant communities provide the best solutions for immigrant issues • A continuous relationship is fruitful • Participatory research is insightful • Long terms investments & relationships builds knowledge, leadership and infrastructure in the community Values in Working with the Immigrant Community

  7. Creation of SCC Citizenship Initiative (1996) • Expanded Funding for Immigration Legal Services, Citizenship & Immigrant Integration (1998) • Summit on Immigrant Needs & Contributions (2000) • Publication of • Bridging Borders (2000) • Knowledge of Immigrant Nationalities (KIN) (2001) • Immigrant Resource Guide: Immigrant Rights Responsibilities & Resources (2001-2004) The Evolution of Immigrant Programs in SCC

  8. Immigrant Leadership Institute • Immigrant Hot Line • Immigrantinfo.org • Community Education Funding • Prenatal Care for All • Invested in Second Harvest Food Bank • Children’s Heath Care Initiative SCC Immigrant Programs

  9. Literacy for Citizenship in Spanish & Cambodian • $100,000 used to pay for the citizenship application • Citizenship Day is held in 14 Languages • Immigrantinfo.org has received over 2 million hits • 129,000+ have received citizenship assistance • Signed MOU with Mexican Consulate re: hate incidents • Beacon of lights awards Accomplishments

  10. Citizenship Day: Citizenship Day provides refugees and other immigrants assistance in navigating the naturalization process. This two- step annual event offers multi-lingual (19-14 languages) workshops, legal assistance, and more. Citizenship Days in SCC

  11. The mission of the Santa Clara County Citizenship Collaborative is to promote citizenship and to assist individuals with services and education needed to successfully complete the citizenship process. The members of the SCC Citizenship Collaborative include: Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN); the Center for Employment Training (CET); the Asian Law Alliance (ALA); Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (CCSJ); and Immigrant Relations and Integration Services (IRIS), a program of the Santa Clara County Office of Human Relations. Santa Clara County Citizenship Collaborative

  12. Opportunity Fund Saving for Citizenship • SVCF Immigrant Integration Fund • Secure Communities in SCC • Relations with SJPD • SJCC Immigrant Leadership Course • Alliances and coalitions Local Accomplishments

  13. Acknowledgement of diversity • Standardized monitoring and data collection • Accountability for results • The role of specialized programs • US Citizen Only programs negatively impact US citizens. • 60% of SCC families are immigrant families Policy Implications of Demographic Shift

  14. Need to address ethnic issues in order to address universal human needs • Immigrant communities must be at the table in order to bring their knowledge and experience to the development & implementation of any plan that is to be effective in SCC. Important Policy Issues

  15. Immigrants and their children comprise a majority of SCC population. • Linguistic, cultural and religious diversity must be taken into account when developing an plan for Silicon Valley. Policy Implications

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