Immigrant integration in Santa Immigrant integration in Santa Clara County (SCC)Clara County (SCC)

Teresa CastellanosOffice of Human Relations

Immigrant Relations & Integration Services2013

PresenterPresenter

Teresa Castellanos, Immigrant Relations and Integration Services Lead Coordinator

Demographic & Language Diversity in Demographic & Language Diversity in SCCSCC

According to MediaNet analysis of Census DataSCC has the largest population of Hindi

speakers in the US2nd largest population of Vietnamese

Speakers3rd largest population of Farsi Speakers5th largest population of Chinese speakersThere are about 40 Asian ethnic media

outlets based in the South Bay including multiple newspapers serving South Asians, Vietnamese and Chinese communities.

Languages in SCCLanguages in SCCSJUSD 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

Values in Working with the Values in Working with the Immigrant CommunityImmigrant Community

Relationships go in two directionsLeadership is human natureWe have more in common that we have

differenceRespect means being open to continuous

learning about a communityCommunities are fluidHigh light & acknowledge contributionsCommunities speak for themselves

Values in Working with the Values in Working with the Immigrant CommunityImmigrant Community

Immigrant communities provide the best solutions for immigrant issues

A continuous relationship is fruitfulParticipatory research is insightfulLong terms investments & relationships

builds knowledge, leadership and infrastructure in the community

The Evolution of Immigrant The Evolution of Immigrant Programs in SCCPrograms in SCC

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)

SCC Immigrant ProgramsSCC Immigrant Programs

Immigrant Leadership InstituteImmigrant Hot LineImmigrantinfo.orgCommunity Education FundingPrenatal Care for AllInvested in Second Harvest Food BankChildren’s Heath Care Initiative

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Literacy for Citizenship in Spanish & Cambodian

$100,000 used to pay for the citizenship application

Citizenship Day is held in 14 LanguagesImmigrantinfo.org has received over 2 million

hits129,000+ have received citizenship

assistanceSigned MOU with Mexican Consulate re: hate

incidentsBeacon of lights awards

Citizenship Days in SCCCitizenship Days in SCC

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.

Santa Clara County Citizenship Santa Clara County Citizenship CollaborativeCollaborative

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 CitizenshipCollaborative 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.

Local AccomplishmentsLocal Accomplishments

Opportunity Fund Saving for Citizenship

SVCF Immigrant Integration FundSecure Communities in SCCRelations with SJPDSJCC Immigrant Leadership CourseAlliances and coalitions

Policy Implications of Policy Implications of Demographic ShiftDemographic ShiftAcknowledgement of diversityStandardized monitoring and data

collectionAccountability for resultsThe role of specialized programsUS Citizen Only programs negatively

impact US citizens.60% of SCC families are immigrant

families

Important Policy IssuesImportant Policy Issues

◦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.

Policy ImplicationsPolicy ImplicationsImmigrants 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.