Even if you haven’t been following Congress’ struggle to pass an immigration bill, which died in the Senate today, you’re probably aware that a large chunk of all those immigrants about whom everyone keeps talking reside in Texas, many in the Central Texas area. According to the 2006-2007 Travis County Immigrant Assessment report, released earlier this month, Travis County’s immigrant population swelled 230% between 1990 and 2005, to about 148,000 people, or 17% of the county’s population. In response to this and other report revelations, Travis County Health and Human Services and Veterans Services Department, the Community Action Network, and the Immigrant Services Network of Austin are hosting a public forum about the assessment, as well as ways the community can respond to the influx in its foreign-born population, tomorrow, Friday, June 29, at St. Edward’s University, beginning at 8:30am. According to a press release, “From 9:15am – 10:15am the key findings of the report will be presented[.] From 10:15am – 10:45am individuals familiar with the report will be available for questions[.]” Those people include Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez and the report’s writers. To view the 2006-2007 Travis County Immigrant Assessment, check out www.co.travis.tx.us/health_human_services/research_planning/default.asp, and to register for the forum, see www.caction.org/immigrant/ForumRegistrationForm.doc.
This article appears in June 22 • 2007.