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Consider Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into a Performance Agreement with El Centro Hispano to Assist with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) Renewal Fees for Chapel Hill Residents.
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Staff: |
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Loryn Clark, Director |
Housing and Community |
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Sarah Osmer Viñas, Assistant Director |
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Overview: In keeping with the Council goal of making Chapel Hill a Place for Everyone, Council adopted a resolution in September of 2017 <http://chapelhill.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=21&clip_id=3243&meta_id=172647> in support of community members who have received deferred action under the DACA program. Consistent with that resolution, Housing and Community staff now recommend that Town Council authorize the Town Manager to enter into a performance agreement with El Centro Hispano to reimburse the agency for DACA renewal fees for Chapel Hill residents in an amount not to exceed a total of $5,000.
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council adopt the resolution to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a performance agreement with El Centro Hispano to assist with DACA renewal fees for Chapel Hill residents in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
Background
On June 15, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will not deport undocumented young people from the U.S. who meet certain requirements. Those who qualify are given “deferred action” from deportation and are eligible for work authorization.
An individual must prove they meet the following criteria:
§ came to the United States under the age of 16;
§ has continuously resided in the United States for a least 5 years before June 15, 2012 and was present in the United States on June 15, 2012;
§ is currently in school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a GED certificate, or is an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
§ has not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise poses a threat to national security or public safety; and
§ was under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
In September of 2017, the Trump Administration rescinded the deferred-action program. As part of the phase-out, the administration planned to adjudicate, on a case-by-case basis, applications filed by September 5 and reject any new requests filed after that date. Individuals who already had DACA with protection expiring by March 5, 2018, would be able to apply for renewal by October 5, 2017.
In January of 2018, a federal judge ordered that the U.S. government keep DACA on the same terms and conditions that were in effect before the September 2017 program changes.
DACA Estimates
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates that there are approximately 66,000 total DACA eligible residents in North Carolina, 22,000 of whom are current beneficiaries of the program. There are approximately 3,000 Orange County residents who are DACA eligible.
Town Support of DACA Recipients
§ Following the September 2017 adoption of the resolution regarding DACA <http://chapelhill.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=21&clip_id=3243&meta_id=172647>, the Town partnered with the Town of Carrboro and El Centro Hispano (El Centro) to evaluate how to best support community members impacted by the September 2017 recension in the DACA program.
§ Town staff evaluated the scope of the impact on residents within our community.
§ The Town partnered with El Centro and the Town of Carrboro to host community meetings for information and assistance from El Centro lawyers to assist community members with DACA renewal in advance of the initial October 5th deadline. The Town provided staff resources in support of the legal clinic and committed to El Centro that it would consider making funding available to Chapel Hill residents needing assistance with the renewal fee in emergency situations, on a case-by-case basis.
§ Town staff have continued to be in contact with El Centro, the NC Justice Center and other partners to monitor and determine what other options might exist to demonstrate our support from community members who are DACA beneficiaries.
Staff Recommendations
In light of the recent resumption of the DACA program, as well as the known need among Chapel Hill residents for assistance with renewal fees for the DACA program and the Town’s commitment to making Chapel Hill a welcoming and inclusive community, staff recommend:
§ Dedicating $5,000 of Town resources to assist Chapel Hill residents with the costs associated with DACA renewal (the fee for which is approximately $500 per person). Both Carrboro and Durham have established contracts with El Centro Hispano to reimburse costs associated with DACA renewal (Carrboro - $10,000; Durham - $5,000). To date, El Centro has assisted with 16 DACA renewals (7 of which were for Durham residents, 1 for Carrboro, 2 Chapel Hill residents, and the remainder of renewals for residents of the greater Triangle area).
§ Continuing to provide staff support and make Town facilities available for community meetings and legal clinics for DACA renewal.
§ Continuing to monitor national debate and coordinate with local partners to determine how to best assist members of our community impacted by DACA.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: If Council dedicates $5,000 for this purpose, Housing and Community would allocate funding from our general fund budget for community services dedicated to assisting community partners in collaborative efforts to work towards the Town’s goals.
Where is this item in its process?
Council Goals:
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Create a Place for Everyone |
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Develop Good Places, New Spaces |
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Support Community Prosperity |
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Nurture Our Community |
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Facilitate Getting Around |
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Grow Town and Gown Collaboration |
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Attachments: |
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• Resolution |
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• Draft Staff Presentation |
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT WITH EL CENTRO HISPANO TO ASSIST CHAPEL HILL RESIDENTS WHO ARE DACA RECIPIENTS (2018-04-11/R-5)
WHEREAS, the Council adopted a resolution in support of recipients deferred action for deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in September of 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Council is aware of the financial burden associated with DACA renewal fees and the essential role DACA plays in allowing recipients to be productive members of the Chapel Hill community; and
WHEREAS, El Centro Hispano is providing assistance to Chapel Hill residents with the DACA renewal process and has requested reimbursement for these costs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby authorizes the Town Manager to enter into a Performance Agreement with El Centro Hispano to reimburse the agency for DACA renewal fees for Chapel Hill residents in an amount not to exceed a total of $5,000 for costs associated with renewal fees for Chapel Hill residents who are DACA recipients.
This the 11th day of April, 2018.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
PRESENTER: Sarah Viñas, Housing and Community Assistant Director
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council adopt the resolution to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a performance agreement with El Centro Hispano to assist with DACA renewal fees for Chapel Hill residents in an amount not to exceed $5,000.