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191589

Label: Ordinance

Authorize Intergovernmental Agreement with Portland Community College for services provided by the Community Legal and Educational Access and Referral Clinic in partnership with the Immigrant and Refugee Program

Passed

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

  1. The City acknowledges the critical need to address barriers and inequitable access to essential services faced by the City's immigrant and refugee communities.
  2. The partnership project between the Immigrant & Refugee Program and Portland Community College (PCC) Legal Resource Center/CLEAR Clinic aims to provide comprehensive support, focusing on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals with work permit applications, immigration legal screenings, and advance parole for DACA recipients.
  3. The services are strategically targeted toward removing barriers to success and well-being, addressing disparities in access to legal services within the immigrant and refugee communities in Portland.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

  1. The Director of Community & Civic Life is authorized to execute an intergovernmental grant agreement based on the standard agreement template attached as Exhibit B with PCC for a total amount not to exceed $150,000 as outlined in Exhibit A, provided such agreement is approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
  2. Amendments to the intergovernmental agreement, including scope of work, budget, and agreement value, may be executed by the Director of Community & Civic Life or their designee for fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 in an amount up to $150,000 per year if funds are appropriated in the Civic Life budget adopted by Council, provided such amendments are approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
  3. If PCC is unable to execute the agreement authorized by this ordinance, the Director is hereby authorized to execute a grant or intergovernmental agreement with a different partner to support substantially similar work, for a total amount not to exceed $150,000 as outlined in Exhibit A, provided such agreement is approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.


An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)

Passed by Council

Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede

Impact Statement

Purpose of proposed legislation and background information

Enhancing Legal Access and Empowering Immigrant & Refugee Communities

The proposed legislation signifies a transformative collaboration between the Immigrant & Refugee Program and PCC Clear Clinic, aimed at delivering comprehensive support services tailored to DACA renewals, immigration legal screenings, and advance parole for DACA recipients in Portland.

Project Goals:

  1. Facilitating Essential Legal Services: The partnership seeks to streamline the provision of vital legal services to immigrants and refugees, emphasizing DACA renewals, legal screenings, and advance parole.
  2. Addressing Disparities: By acknowledging and addressing disparities in access to legal services within immigrant and refugee communities, the initiative aims to create a more equitable landscape for support and assistance.
  3. Empowering and Enabling: The overarching goal is to empower immigrants, enabling them to obtain and maintain legal status in the United States. This empowerment fosters their active participation in civic life and meaningful contributions to the community.
  4. Ensuring Convenient Access: A key objective is to ensure that members of the immigrant and refugee community have convenient access to legal screening appointments. This access facilitates understanding of eligibility for legal immigration status, identifies available resources, and empowers individuals to navigate the legal system effectively.

Services Provided:

  1. DACA Renewals with Work Permit Application: Assistance for eligible DACA recipients in renewing their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, including support with work permit applications.
  2. Immigration Legal Screenings: Conducting comprehensive legal screenings to assess the immigration status of individuals and identify potential paths to legal residency or citizenship.
  3. Advance Parole for DACA Recipients: Providing guidance and support to DACA recipients seeking advance parole for specific travel purposes, ensuring safe and legal reentry into the United States.

Implementation Approach:

The project will be executed through a collaborative effort between the Immigrant & Refugee Program and PCC Clear Clinic. Key steps include the identification of eligible individuals, the provision of legal services and support, active community engagement, and meticulous documentation and reporting. This holistic approach ensures that the goals of the partnership are effectively realized, making a tangible impact on the lives of those within the immigrant and refugee communities in Portland. 

(OMF)

Financial and budgetary impacts

With a budget allocation of $150,000.00 for fiscal year 2023-24, the project's financial plan will cover the services detailed in the scope of services above.

Regular evaluations and monitoring will be conducted to assess the impact of the project, ensure that services are meeting the community's needs, and make any necessary adjustments.

Community impacts and community involvement

This partnership will significantly impact the immigrant and refugee communities in Portland by addressing longstanding disparities in access to legal services. The provision of support for DACA renewals, legal screenings, and advance parole aims to empower individuals within these communities, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the legal system and secure their legal status in the United States. The anticipated outcomes of this initiative extend beyond individual empowerment; they contribute to the overall integration and participation of immigrant and refugee residents in our vibrant community. By focusing on strategic initiatives, green infrastructure maintenance, and community response grants, this partnership ensures that the benefits are not only legal but also extend to broader community development. Moreover, the collaborative effort between the Immigrant & Refugee Program and PCC Clear Clinic demonstrates a commitment to community involvement, actively engaging with and addressing the needs of the immigrant and refugee populations. During community outreach events, we understand the importance of legal accessibility, fostering open dialogue, and ensuring that community members are informed about available services. Through targeted funding and outreach, this partnership reaches geographic areas with fewer resources, reinforcing the commitment to equitable access to legal services and community development in Portland.

100% renewable goal

n/a

Financial and budget analysis

Analysis provided by City Budget Office

The bureau has the $150,000 in agreed-upon resources in the FY 2023-24 budget to authorize an IGA with CLEAR Clinic. 

Document history

Agenda Council action
Consent agenda
City Council
Passed to second reading
Passed to second reading January 17, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
Consent agenda
City Council
Passed

Votes
  • Aye (5):
    • Carmen Rubio
    • Ryan
    • Rene Gonzalez
    • Mingus Mapps
    • Ted Wheeler

Introduced by

Contact

Gloria Harrison

Executive Assistant to Interim Director Ratbi

Mourad Ratbi

Interim Director, Community & Civic Life

Agenda type

Consent

Date and time information

Meeting date
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