20062007 Travis County Immigrant Assessment

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2006-2007Travis CountyImmigrant Assessment

• Presentation to
• Travis County Commissioners Court
• June 5, 2007

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The Assessment Process Why Now?

• Demographic change in Travis County
• Between 1990 and 2005, the foreign-born
  population grew by 230 (about 45,000 to 148,000)
• Stakeholders discovered a common interest to
  explore needs of and conditions for foreign-born
  residents
• Catholic Charities of Central Texas
• City of Austin Commission on Immigrant Affairs
• Community Action Network
• Travis County Health and Human Services
  Veterans Service

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The Assessment Process Developing the Approach
Goal Develop a process and create a product
that are accurate, balanced, and inclusive

• The TCHHS/VS Research and Planning Division
  stewarded the process, conducting primary and
  secondary research
• Advised and supported by a Steering Committee
  representing diverse sectors and organizations

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The Assessment Process Exploring the Issues
Issue areas included

• Profile of Foreign Born in Travis County
• Immigration Policy, Process and Legal Rights
• Public Safety
• The Economic Safety Net
• Housing
• Health
• Education
• Workforce

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The Assessment Process Exploring the Issues
Goals of each section

• Describe the characteristics of Travis Countys
  foreign-born population
• Provide a picture of national trends vis-à-vis
  immigrant issues
• Consider the relative well-being of immigrant
  residents within the context of the communitys
  goals
• Include the experiences and perspectives of local
  immigrant residents

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Demographic Overview Selected Report Highlights
To describe the Countys immigrant population, we
wanted to know

• How has Travis County and its immigrant
  population grown?
• Where do Travis County immigrants originate from
  and what languages do they speak?
• Where do they fall on the socioeconomic and
  educational attainment spectrum?
• Where do immigrants live in Travis County?

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How has Travis County and its immigrant
population grown?
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Where do Travis County immigrants originate from?
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What languages do Travis County immigrants speak?
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Where do Travis County immigrants fall on the
income spectrum?
Source American Community Survey, 2005
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Where do Travis County immigrants fall on the
education spectrum?
Source American Community Survey, 2005
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Where do Travis County immigrants live?
Source TCHHS/VS RP analysis of Census 2000.
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In Summary Overarching Themes

• Immigrants are part of and impact the Travis
  County community.
• Immigrants exhibit diversity in culture,
  socio-economic characteristics, and experiences
  in the U.S.
• Some immigrant sub-populations have higher needs
  and encounter greater challenges.
• Immigration systems, and the laws and policies
  related to them are complex, changing and
  frequently unclear.
• Federal, state, and local authorities often
  disagree on who is responsible for the
  immigration issue.

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Whats Next?

• Begin a community conversation by
• Offering questions to spark dialogue.
• Inviting the community to reflect on this
  information and construct their own responses.
• Planning a community forum (June 29, 2007).

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2006-2007 Immigrant Assessment Partners and
Supporters
Travis County Health and Human Services
Veterans Service, Research Planning Division
2006 Immigrant Assessment Steering Committee
Community Action Network
Catholic Charities
City of Austin Commission on Immigrant Affairs
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To Obtain Copies

• The Immigrant Assessment is available for online
  viewing and downloading
• www.co.travis.tx.us
• For more information, questions or comments,
  please contact HHS/VS Research Planning staff
• Rachel Coff 854-3413 or rachel.coff_at_co.travis.tx.
  us
• Korey Darling 854-4275 or koren.darling_at_co.travis
  .tx.us