Immigrant Integration Task Force Meeting
August 28, 2014
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, Room 267
600 E. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
MINUTES
Attendance:
Task Force Members: Diego Anselmo, Nancy Carter, Keri Carver, Monica Colin, Wayne
Cooper, Mariana Deluca, Gautam Desai, Ellen Dubin, Owen Furuseth, Steven Garfinkel,
Daniel Hernandez, Mo Idlibby, Anika Khan, Stefan Latorre, Thanh-Thu Luong, Amy
Michelone, Tin Nguyen, Wil Russell, Robert Shore, Kim Vasquez, Sam Wazan, Curt White,
Lacey Williams, Emily Zimmern
City Staff: Krystal King, Nina Stahl
Absent: Omar Jorge, Victoria Manning, Jennifer Pearsall, Jennifer Roberts, Kristin Wade
1. Welcome and Approval of Minutes
Mr. Latorre (Chair) called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.
Mr. Latorre presented the July 24, 2014, meeting minutes to be voted on. Mr. Furuseth
moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Lyall-Knusel seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
The motion carried.
2. Where We Are Today
a. Listening Session
Mr. Latorre introduced two new Task Force members: Nancy Carter and Keri Carver. Ms.
Carter replaces the Charlotte International Cabinet’s nominee to the Task Force and Ms.
Carver replaces the Department of Social Services’ nominee to the Task Force.
Mr. Latorre provided a recap of the feedback that the Task Force has received thus far from
the Community Listening Sessions (See Appendix A for PowerPoint Presentation).
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b. Community Survey
Mr. Latorre then updated the Task Force on the results of the community survey thus far.
He reminded the Task Force that their help is needed to get the word out to the community
about the survey. Ms. King explained that the survey results indicate that a different
demographic is being reached through the online surveys than through the listening
sessions. She emphasized the importance of handing out the printed version of the surveys
and using word of mouth to inform people about the survey. Ms. King also mentioned that
the survey has been printed in the Hispanic newspaper Que Pasa Mi Gente, and there are
boxes at Compare Food stores to drop off completed surveys. The survey is in the process
of being translated into Hindi and Gujarati, and these versions will be on the website soon.
She informed the Task Force that the office created a QR Code for each language the survey
is available in and she created flyers with these QR Codes and the website that can be
printed and handed out.
Ms. Luong asked if the survey will be translated into any more languages. Ms. King
explained that the office is dependent upon volunteers to assist with translating the survey.
The office has reached out to all of its contacts to request translation assistance, so in order
for more languages to be added it is important for the Task Force members to reach out to
their own networks. Ms. Zimmern asked if the translated versions of the survey represent
the most common languages in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). Ms. King responded
that this is not necessarily the case since the languages the survey has been translated into
are ones that the office was able to find volunteers for. Mr. Wazan offered to find volunteers
to translate the survey into Arabic. Mr. Desai asked if there are plans to translate the fliers
with the QR Codes, and Ms. King responded that this could be done.
c. Timeline
Mr. Latorre then reviewed the Task Force’s timeline from now until February. From August
to November, the Working Groups will meet and analyze the community feedback, research
specific topics, and craft actionable recommendations to present to the Task Force in
November for discussion. In December the Task Force will prioritize the proposed
recommendations and decide which ones to present at a community forum, which will be
held in January. In February the Task Force will present its final recommendations to City
Council.
d. National Welcoming Week
Ms. Zimmern informed the Task Force that National Welcoming Week will be held
September 15-21, 2014. This is an initiative of Welcoming America, which is the national
grassroots organization that was represented by Rachel Peric at the July 24, 2014, Task
Force meeting. The framework the Task Force is using to guide its work is based off of the
Welcoming America framework. The premise is to create welcoming immigrant-friendly
communities, create a space that encourages interaction between receiving communities
and immigrants, and get community leadership in all sectors on board.
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As part of National Welcoming Week, a special Naturalization Ceremony will be held on
September 15, 2014, in the Meeting Chamber at the Government Center. The Mayor will be
in attendance. There will also be a social media campaign that week, in which the hashtags
#cltroots and #welcomingweek will be used to encourage online involvement from the
community. Ms. King explained that the goal of the social media campaign will be to
celebrate the diversity of our city and our nation. Ms. Gordon will be sending an email with
more details when she returns from vacation. Ms. Carter asked if the public may attend the
Naturalization Ceremony. Ms. Zimmern replied that the ceremony is not open to the public
but that the Task Force may be able to attend. Mr. Desai asked if the League of Women
Voters will be attending the ceremony because they typically help with voter registration.
Ms. King responded that she would find out if it is appropriate to invite them to attend.
Mr. Furuseth asked if the Task Force has a display that can be set up at a table at
community events, such as festivals. Ms. Zimmern responded that this is something the
Civic Engagement Working Group is charged with discussing as this will be important for
communicating the welcoming message with the broader public and informing the public
of the Task Force’s work. Mr. Furuseth announced that the UNC Charlotte International
Festival would be on September 20, 2014, and that he would be happy to stand at the table
and give out information. Ms. Zimmern stated that festivals might be a good opportunity to
get the survey out to more people, but that in order for this to be successful the Task Force
will need to step up and be willing to staff the tables. Mr. Wazan mentioned that the UN
International Day of Peace will be on September 20, 2014, where the Task Force can set up
a table display.
Ms. Lyall-Knusel informed the Task Force that Jennifer Pearsall has been invited to
Washington, D.C., to participate in Building Welcoming Schools, which is part of Welcoming
America, and would be able to report back on her experience there.
3. Guiding Principles
Ms. Zimmern reminded the Task Force of the exercise they completed at the July 24, 2014,
meeting in which they discussed in small groups what their vision for Charlotte is and what
Charlotte would look like if their work is successful ten years from now. Each group
brainstormed and presented their ideas for what the Task Force’s guiding principles should
be in preparing their recommendations for City Council. Ms. Zimmern synthesized the
suggestions into five proposed guiding principles (see Appendix B) and asked the Task
Force to read over them and think about whether these five principles encapsulate what
was presented at the previous meeting, and if not, what is missing.
The following revisions were agreed upon:
 Social Mobility should be added as a sixth guiding principle
 Changing “Equal Access” to “Equitable Access”
 Adding interfaith/spiritual to the “Connection” principle
 For the “Well-Being of All” principle, change it to state “…and promote the physical
and mental health and safety of all residents of all ages regardless of place of birth.”
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
Reorder the wording of the “Connection” principle to reflect the social elements first
and move “Promote physical connectivity among neighborhoods” to the end
4. Working Group Updates
Before dismissing the Task Force into their Working Groups to discuss their next steps, Ms.
Zimmern reminded them to reach out to Ms. Gordon if they need information from the City
or help getting in touch with City staff. She also encouraged them to do their own research
online and to reach out to other organizations, including those that have presented at Task
Force meetings. She also reminded the Working Groups to utilize the two worksheets
provided (see Appendices C and D) to keep track of their assigned tasks and action steps.
5. Feedback and Closing
Mr. Latorre invited Task Force members to come up and provide updates on any
community initiatives they are involved in. Mr. Nguyen and Ms. Williams discussed their
involvement in two initiatives regarding unaccompanied minors: a faith leader community
initiative and a social services initiative, which meets every Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Caldwell
Presbyterian. This initiative is focusing on what the legal, health, and human services are
available to unaccompanied minors in Charlotte, and developing a communication strategy
around the unaccompanied minors issue.
Currently, about 488 unaccompanied minors have been released in Mecklenburg County,
and between 150 and 170 children have been released in Durham County and Wake
County. This initiative is looking into how to prepare the community to receive these
children to make sure they have access to the services they need and have the support they
need. Ms. Pearsall is also on this committee.
Mr. Nguyen discussed a pro bono legal committee that has formed. The most pressing issue
is that many of the unaccompanied minors that have been released into the community are
facing deportation, but many of them qualify for a special immigrant juvenile status. This
status allows the children to have a longer period of time to develop a case to avoid
deportation and also gives them the chance to acquire a green card. This committee is
recruiting attorneys to help these minors pro bono.
Mr. Latorre announced that the next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Ms.
King reminded the Task Force that from now on the monthly meeting will be on the fourth
Tuesday instead of the fourth Thursday. The final Task Force Community Listening Session
will be on an as-yet-undetermined date at Huntingtowne Farms Elementary.
Ms. Deluca informed the Task Force that CMS enrolled over 2,000 international students
for the new school year.
Mr. Latorre closed the meeting at 5:10 p.m.
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Appendix A:
August 28, 2014, Immigrant Integration Task Force Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
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Immigrant Integration Task Force Update
August 28, 2014
Immigrant Integration Task Force
What Are We Doing Well?
•
Cultural events and festivals showcase diversity
•
There are a variety of nonprofit organizations to assist
immigrants
•
Public transportation is reliable, more options and routes
available than in the past
•
There are more job opportunities available than in the past
•
Schools offer quality English-language classes
•
Entrepreneurship is encouraged
•
The community is accepting of international business community
•
Majority of the receiving community is welcoming, helpful, good
at volunteering
•
The free health clinics that exist are great
Immigrant Integration Task Force
Where can we improve?
•
Better information to CMS students and parents
– How to navigate education system & become involved in schools
•
Need more opportunities for higher education and skills training
•
Improve access to information about resources
– More marketing & information printed in multiple languages
– Immigrant-oriented City website
•
Servicers in multiple languages, not just Spanish
•
Charlotte needs more culturally-competent services
•
Charlotte needs more sidewalks
•
Improve Transit: more connectivity, more options (types & routes),
needs to be safer at night
•
Charlotte should streamline application processes (businesses, health,
etc)
– Less paperwork & clarify/simplify regulations
Immigrant Integration Task Force
What are some critical needs?
•
Driver’s license/ID access
•
Need to build trust
•
Central location for resources
– An official “Welcome to Charlotte” directory or orientation
– Not just an online presence
Address roadblocks caused by the 287(g) program
•
– Limits economic opportunities
•
Cultural sensitivity training for police, other City/County service
providers
•
Increased access to start-up capital and loans
•
Address notary public versus notaries-at-law issues
•
Address problems with not receiving medical care benefits or benefits
not covering needs
•
Address issues with housing discrimination, substandard conditions
•
Address mainstream media biases - only focus on the negative
Immigrant Integration Task Force
Survey
51 Nations
160
Responses
Released Online in 6 Languages
• English, Spanish, German, French,
Russian, & Chinese
What Brought Them to Charlotte
• 2/3 transferred here or accepted a new
job offer here
Well Trained
• 43% have Masters Degrees
• 80% say their job matches their training
Entrepreneurs
• 20% own their own business
• 60% asked a friend for help starting their
business
17 %
8%
6%
Immigrant Integration Task Force
Survey
Published Survey
•
Posted on Task Force webpage
•
www.CharlotteInternational.org
Action needed
•
Share link
•
Recruit organizations to help
administer survey
Immigrant Integration Task Force
August
• Hold organizational meetings of each
Working Group before monthly Task
Force meeting
AugustNovember
• In Working Groups, analyze community
feedback, research specific topics, and
craft actionable recommendations
November
• Working Groups present
recommendations to the Task Force for
discussion
Immigrant Integration Task Force
December
• Task Force prioritizes and decides on
proposed recommendations to be
presented for community feedback
January
• Host a Community Forum to receive
feedback on recommendations
February
• Present final recommendations to Council
Immigrant Integration Task Force
National
Welcoming
Week
Naturalization Ceremony
•
September 15, Morning
CMGC, Meeting Chamber
#CLTroots & #welcomingweek
•
Sept. 15 – 19
Online Social Media Campaign
Immigrant Integration Task Force
Proposed
Guiding
Principles
How do we build a welcoming city?
•
EQUAL ACCESS: Ensure availability of economic,
•
INCLUSION: Embrace diversity as a strength,
•
CONNECTION: Promote physical connectivity
•
ECONOMIC GROWTH: Promote economic
•
WELL-BEING OF ALL: Recommend policies,
civic, cultural, and educational opportunities and
government services for all residents.
build a sense of belonging, safety, and community
for all residents, and promote cross-cultural
competence.
among neighborhoods, digital connection to
government information and resources, and social
connection among diverse groups.
development through business start ups, workforce
development/skills training, access to financial
services and regeneration of declining and vacant
areas, leverage technology, and position Charlotte
as globally competitive.
practices and resources that benefit the entire
community and promote the health and safety of
all residents.
Immigrant Integration Task Force
Working
Groups
Economic Development
• Chair – Wil Russell
Public Safety
• Chair – Stefan Latorre
Transportation/Housing
• Chair – Jennifer Roberts
Education
• Chair – Marianne Lyall-Knusel
Health Care/Social Services
• Chair – Ellen Dubin
Civic Engagement/Receiving Communities
• Chair – Emily Zimmern
Immigrant Integration Task Force
Closing
Next Meeting
•
Tuesday, September 23,
3:00-5:00 p.m.
CMGC, Room 267
Next Listening Session
•
Aug 28, 6:00 p.m.
Latin American Coalition
•
Final Task Force Listening Session
Early-Mid September
Huntingtowne Farms Elementary
More Information
•
www.CharlotteInternational.org
Appendix B:
How Do We Build a Welcoming City?
Proposed Guiding Principles
To inform the Task Force’s work as we shape our recommendations
EQUAL ACCESS:
Ensure availability of economic, civic, cultural and educational opportunities and
government services for all residents.
INCLUSION:
Embrace diversity as a strength, build a sense of belonging, safety and
community for all residents, and promote cross-cultural competence.
CONNECTION
Promote physical connectivity among neighborhoods, digital connection to
government information and resources and social connection among diverse
groups.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Promote economic development through business start ups, workforce
development/skills training, access to financial services and regeneration of
declining and vacant areas, leverage technology, and position Charlotte as
globally competitive.
WELL-BEING OF ALL
Recommend policies, practices and resources that benefit the entire community
and promote the health and safety of all residents.
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Appendix C:
Worksheet 1– List & Rate Key Tasks/Major Actions
List the tasks to be prioritized in the first column. For each item, check the box under letters of
the criteria you think the item best meets.
Criteria
Task
Example: Creating a Municipal ID
A B C D E
F
G H I
J
Criteria for Setting Priorities
A. For which items is there currently a sense of urgency – a feeling that this issue or
opportunity needs to be acted on soon?
B. Which items have already generated interest and enthusiasm in the listening sessions,
on the survey, or in the community?
C. Which items are already being addressed by someone and further action could
strengthen/accerlerate?
D. If you could achieve or make significant progress on certain items, would this make it
easier or more likely for you to accomplish others?
E. Which items could be achieved with current resources?
F. Which items could be achieved with additional resources that could be realistically
accessed?
G. Which of these items makes best use of the community’s strengths and assets?
H. Other criteria developed by the working group.
I. Other criteria developed by the working group.
J. Other criteria developed by the working group.
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Appendix D:
IITF Working Group
Action Steps/Follow Up
Task
By whom
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Complete at end of each meeting and report out at next meeting.
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By when