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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-04-2017 - 6-a - Support for Local Immigrant and Refugee Population 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 4, 2017 Action Agenda Item No. 6-a SUBJECT: Support for Local Immigrant and Refugee Population DEPARTMENT Orange County Public Health Department ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: • El Centro Hispano - Orange County Susan Clifford, Immigrant & Refugee Funding Request Health Program Manager, (919)-245- • Refugee Community Partnership - 2387 Orange County Funding Request • Refugee Support Center - Orange County Funding Request • Sheriff Blackwood Letter of Support PURPOSE: To consider approving funding requests for immigrant and refugee support services and to approve utilization of the Social Justice Fund as the funding source for $79,628. Due to the immediate and critical need of the agencies, this request is outside the annual non- profit agency funding process. The Social Justice Fund, with a current balance of$350,000, is a reserve that was established by the BOCC to support social justice needs that may occur during the fiscal year. BACKGROUND: Orange County is home to an increasingly diverse population: • 13% foreign-born • 17% residents speak a language other than English at home • Refugee arrivals have almost doubled in the last two years, from 54 (FY2014-15) to 91 year-to-date. The Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) has supported community-based agencies working to meet the needs of immigrants and refugees through the non-profit agency process. However, due to the recent changes in federal immigration policies new challenges and barriers exist that require an immediate response to expand services for immigrant and refugee residents. Confusion about new travel policies, changes in deportation policies/practices, harassment from other residents, and rumors of checkpoints and raids have all spurred fear in the local community — especially the Latino and Syrian communities. Local agencies — including law enforcement and County agencies — held forums to educate community members about their rights and to show support. Nevertheless many families are still concerned about driving, many want to apply for citizenship, and some are fearful to leave their homes. 2 The Orange County Health Department and Orange County Social Services staff consulted on the most efficient and effective way to address immediate needs. The recommendation to the BOCC is to utilize the Social Justice Fund to provide $79,628 to support the local community- based agencies to expand services immediately to immigrants and refugees. El Centro Hispano provides critical direct support, legal, employment and education services to County residents. El Centro requests $54,168 to expand its immigration legal services. Funding will cover the salary of a part-time Project Coordinator and full-time Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Accredited Representative, as well as project operating costs. The BIA Rep will assist with intake, conduct screenings, and help clients complete forms to be submitted to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Project Coordinator will coordinate the Faith ID program and a new Civics/"No Operator" Education course, as well as conduct community outreach and manage volunteers. The Faith ID program - in collaboration with local law enforcement - offers a picture ID to community members who don't otherwise have access to a form of identification. The Civics/"No Operator" course is an alternative option - at the discretion of the District Attorney - for those individuals ticketed for driving without a license. • El Centro anticipates serving an additional: o 100 clients through immigrant legal services o 150 clients through the Faith ID Program o 100 clients through the Civics/"No Operator" Course Refugee Community Partnership (RCP), a community-based organization that builds networks of support to help families address immediate needs, and establish and work toward long-term goals. RCP is working to address barriers to financial self-sufficiency among diverse refugee communities. In the wake of the recent executive orders, which slashed funding to refugee resettlement agencies, economic hardship is undermining refugees' ability to address financial, social and psychological distress. RCP is partnering with local agencies and businesses to develop pathways to job improvement for local refugees. RCP seeks $14,120 to support staff time for the Program Manager and Executive Director to create an employment support and opportunity service for refugees. Part of their work will include development of a salesforce management system to: 1) efficiently identify and cultivate culturally-appropriate job opportunities, 2) effectively track progress toward employment goals, and 3) map employment channels for refugees to measure impact over time. • Refugee Community Partnership anticipates: o 20 refugees will be connected to improved employment opportunities and an additional 10 refugees will be connected to employment support services. o 10 additional volunteers will be trained as employment navigators o RCP will establish relationships with 20 additional local employers and train 10+ employers on creative, culturally-appropriate solutions to working through language barriers with employees. o RCP will develop a customized management system and construct an employment map to manage employment resources, support services and outcome measures. Refugee Support Center provides legal, education, employment, financial and other resource and referral services. The Refugee Support Center was recently notified that it will need to leave its current donated office space within 6 weeks. The request entails $11,340 to cover the cost of renting space for one year in order to continue and expand operations. This includes space to provide: 1) Pathways to Citizenship classes and immigration legal services provided by a BIA accredited representative on staff, 2) a confidential space for legal and direct service 3 consultation, 3) shared space for programming with collaborating agencies, and 4) storage space for donations. • Refugee Support Center anticipates: o Continued operation despite losing current office space o Improved efficiency and quality of service due to new space o 34 Refugee clients through the Pathways to Citizenship Program (20% increase) FINANCIAL IMPACT: A total of $79,628 is proposed for allocation from the Social Justice Fund, leaving a Social Justice Fund balance of$270,372. • El Centro's request of $54,168 will cover the salary of a part-time Project Coordinator and a full-time BIA Representative, as well as project operating costs. This will be at the cost of$155/client. • The Refugee Community Partnership's request of $14,120 will cover the cost to allocate more staff time and establish employment support resources to help refugees find better work opportunities for the remainder of FY2016-17, at the cost of $470.67/client. • The Refugee Support Center's request of $11,340 will cover the cost of 12 months of office space, at the cost of$11.63/client. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following two Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this agenda item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board consider approving the funding requests listed below and approve utilization of the Social Justice Fund as the funding source for $79,628: • El Centro Hispano's expand immigrant legal services, including new BIA Rep and Project Coordinator positions - $54,168; • Refugee Community partnership to allocate more staff time to help refugees find better work opportunities - $14,120 • Refugee Support Center's rental cost for office space due to loss of current space - $11,340; 4 111:u Ind M ,ur Ih 21. IMMIGRATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE uinteur°veintlioin ur e%: Community Support Services- Immigration Legal Assistance ud @itltl @d Need There is growing concern among the Hispanic/Latino population nationwide of the climate and policies that the new Administration of the United States is setting forth; particularly those targeting non-citizens. The Pew Research Center reported on recent at February 23, 2017 that there is growing concern and fear of deportation among green card holders and undocumented residents because of"new immigration enforcement policies that widen the pool of unauthorized immigrants prioritized for deportation to include those who have committed an act that will result in criminal charges." (Pew Research Center) Legal Recent policy changes have accelerated detention and deportation activities, deepened immigration enforcement authority to sheriffs and police officers, expanded those targeted for deportation, and prioritized for deportation anyone convicted of a crime, even minor offenses. One safeguarded group are DACA recipients, however, their future standing is still unknown. In addition, verbal attacks by the new Administration Latinos and the depiction of ALL as criminals and potential terrorists affect citizens and non-citizens alike, giving way to further isolation, distrust of law enforcement and government officials, and harassment by anti- immigrant/anti-Latino groups. These findings have been echoed by Hispanic/Latino residents in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Attendees of community forums and Faith ID held by El Centro Hispano have voiced concern and confusion over recent changes, not knowing the immediate impact the changes will have on them and their family members, their resident status, and opportunity to achieve citizenship. if rooposed lui t r E tlioin In response to these growing concerns, the leadership of the organization is restructuring its community support services to establish an immigration legal team and approach that assists Latinos in their pathway toward citizenship and advance immigrant rights. Program Title: Immigration Legal Assistance Population to be Served: - Undocumented Immigrants of Hispanic/Latino origins - Youth eligible for and/or recipients of DACA - Domestic Violence Victims /Victims of Crimes - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender - Permanent Residents seeking citizenship Areas of Legal Assistance - Adjustment of Status Screening - Family Based Petitions - Naturalization and Citizenship - Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - Asylum Petitions - U-Visas and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions - Limited deportation assistance 5 Type of Legal Services - Adjustment status consultation and screening - Assistance with completing forms - Filing with USCIS - Representation before Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) - Representation before immigration courts - Legal assistance with removal hearings (limited) - Power of Attorney Type of Non-Legal Services - Community Education Forums (i.e. Know Your Rights Forums) - Faith ID Drives - Citizenship/ Civic Classes - English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes - Interpretation and Translation - Advocacy and community mobilization Program Goals and Expected Outcomes 1) By the end of 2017, establish Immigration Legal Assistance as part of the Community Support Services Section of El Centro Hispano a. By July 2017, o Complete BIA recognition and accreditation process o Secure additional funds to expand services and hire staff o Hire and/or reassign staff to provide services, to include: - 1 FT Lawyer (to provide legal counsel and representation and oversight over BIAs) - 1 FT Paralegal (to respond to calls, set up appointments, prepare paperwork and assist lawyer with building cases) - 1 FT BIA certified (1 full-time or 2 part-time staff to assist with intake, conduct screenings, and help complete and assist forms to USCIS, and - 1 FT Coordinator of Education &Outreach (to coordinate No Operator Civic Classes, forums, Faith ID drives, conduct presentations in the community, recruit and manage volunteers, provide outreach to the community using a variety of channels to include social media, radio, TV, print, etc) o Set service policies, schedule of services, case load limits, and fees b. August to December 2017, o Launch, monitor, and evaluation services rendered o Work with partners and community volunteers to hold the following community education and outreach events - Ten (10) community forums (April to December 2017) - 10 Faith ID Drives - Four (4) No Operator Civic Classes 6 OF'rc re s s to III1%te El Centro Hispano has been working in the past year to respond to the needs of our immigrant Latino community by providing immigration legal assistance and due to heightening concerns and changing policies, have expedited its efforts To date, • Completed BIA Recognition and Accreditation Application • Engaged staff in BIA recognition training • Secured $45,000 toward hiring of legal team • Established Faith ID recognition in Durham and Orange County • Held 12 Faith ID drives since February 2016 and Issued over 1859 Faith IDs • Held 3 "Know Your Rights" Forums and assisted community members with establishing Power of Attorney documents • Held 6 citizenship classes with the result in 15 new US citizens • Two citizenship clinics in collaboration with NALEO and The Latin American Coalition OP ro posc,,d IO u d:al e t fo r County Costs for Affordable immigration services for Orange County 100 people for screening/legal services 100 People/4 sessions a year/25 per session for No Operator License Civics Classes (NOLC) 150 people/6 Faith ID drives a year $155/person served Description $ Unit Total Explanation Part time to coordinate the No Operator Civic Classes, forums, Faith ID drives, conduct presentations in the community, Project Coordinator $13 $13,520 recruit and manage volunteers, provide outreach to the community using a variety of channels to include social media, radio, TV, print, etc. Full time to assist with intake, conduct BIA Certified $13 $27,040 screenings, and help complete and assist forms to USCIS 22% FT Benefits for personnel 11% PT $7,436 Health insurance, Dental Insurance, etc. Faith ID drives $4 $3,600 Extra cost no covered by the individual payment Interpretation & $40 $640 1 interpreter per session for the NOLC Translation Classes Childcare $13 $832 4 childcare people/session 7 Printing & Copying $0.20 $800 20 copies per person Snacks for the NOLC classes $2 $300 Participants and their children TOTAL $54,168 8 Refugee Community Partnership: Orange County Funding Request March 21, 2017 About the Organization The Refugee Community Partnership (RCP) is a community-driven organization that addresses the social, economic, and psychological conditions that otherwise keep forcibly displaced people living on the margins. Through relationship-based support, opportunity development, and community bridging, RCP works to sustain the long and complex process of rebuilding home. Founded in 2011, RCP now involves the work and support of hundreds of refugee community leaders, neighborhood residents, students, business owners, teachers, and local stakeholders. RCP builds powerful networks of support to help families address immediate needs, and to establish and work toward long-term goals. Collaboration is key to our work, as we partner with dozens of local agencies and organizations to build a robust, cross-sector community support infrastructure. We use a relationship-based approach to address the social, economic, and physical factors that isolate forcibly displaced people, and build a vibrant social fabric that reconstitutes a sense of community and belonging. We believe those most affected by a problem are those closest to its solution, and we center our work around the priorities, leadership, and wisdom of refugee communities. Here, community innovation flourishes, with new initiatives and partnerships being born out of lived experiences. Because of this, RCP is able to strategically, dynamically, and adaptively fill gaps - gaps in access, opportunities, and support that all too often keep families in cycles of poverty. The Need Recent Executive Orders slashed funding to resettlement agencies, which are responsible for providing support to refugees for their initial 3 months. The agencies have already had to make staffing cuts, and may have to make more, which may reduce the support they are able to provide. Though the future is unclear, the federal government can no longer be relied upon to provide refugee resettlement support, making local, community efforts all the more vital. Without financial support from the federal government, and without support from the resettlement agencies, gaps between local refugees and opportunities may grow wider in the coming years. Because of the barriers to employment, and the rent hikes that GSC--owning company of the low-income apartment complexes in Carrboro-Chapel Hill--has been doing to effectively block and remove refugee and immigrant residents (which began soon after they rejected Section 8 housing 2 years ago), refugees may face increased economic hardship in the coming years. The majority of refugees are skilled workers, former tailors or electricians or teachers, and are eager to restart their vocation here. However, due to the language barrier and lacking documentation of past work or education experience, low-wage labor is the only work available to refugees upon resettlement--most commonly janitorial or food service work at the University. Because these positions do not pay enough to cover basic financial expenses for a family, 9 people are often forced to work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet. If health issues arise--and they often do--and the working adult of the family is unable to work for a few days, this can mean the family cannot cover rent or utilities, compromising their ability to regain financial footing. The language barrier, coupled with unfamiliarity with US systems, obstructs forcibly displaced people's ability to break out of low-wage work. While they study English during their non- working hours, gaining English speaking skills advanced enough to unlock the doors to improved employment takes many, many years, locking them instead into a persistent cycle of poverty. These realities present a paradox: skilled workers are eager for work, and because the only options available to them are unskilled labor, they fall quickly into the socioeconomic cracks. We are implementing solutions. Utilizing our 80-person strong network of volunteers and collaborating with local business owners, we are working to develop pathways to job improvement for local refugees. RCP volunteers--who work one-on-one with -200 local refugees already--will gather information on an individual's past profession and work experience. In partnership with program staff, volunteers and refugee individuals will build a resume, highlighting translatable skills and experience. Staff have already begun conversations with the Carrboro Business Alliance and the Carrboro-Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce to convene local business owners to identify and construct employment positions specially for refugees. RCP staff will provide trainings on communication methods that employers can use to circumnavigate language barriers and the cultural behaviors and norms of the diverse ethnicities represented in the refugee working population, also providing interpreters when needed. Funding Request In order to allocate staff time to helping refugees locate and access better work opportunities, we are requesting $14,120. These funds will be used to support RCP's Program Manager and Executive Director to identify the individuals seeking improved employment options, collect data on past vocations and translatable skills, identify and establish relationships with potential employers, and accompany individuals through the interview and hiring process. Allocated time would also include training existing and incoming volunteers on our process for identifying, contacting, and engaging potential employers so that tasks can be transferred from staff to volunteers, reducing the cost per individual over time. We have piloted this endeavor already. In the past 2 weeks we have secured improved employment for two refugee folks, and the impact cannot be overstated. In addition to the economic impact of higher wages--which means families can cover basic expenses and begin to focus on building savings--work environments with local business owners tend to be more supportive and familial, relieving psychological distress and serving as a socially supportive space. The ripple-effect that improved employment opportunities have on other facets of daily life are enormous. 10 Budget Amount Expense Tasks $5,760 Program Manager: 20 hrs/week Coordinate with and manage volunteers working with families; identify individuals seeking jobs and conduct initial meeting; work with volunteers to collect work experience and education information; build resumes and upload to Salesforce database; create Emergency Contact cards for each worker detailed with contact information of English-speaking liaisons; meet with employers on a case-by-case basis; accompany individuals to interviews and through hiring process; organize celebratory actions for workers who've achieved an employment goal $3,360 Executive Director: 10 hrs/week Build profiles for each job-seeking person to centralize relevant documents such as resumes, legal documentation, and case notes to track progress toward employment goals; collaborate and correspond with the Carrboro Business Alliance and Chamber of Commerce; outfit Employer Partners database to map potential employers and details about positions including pay rate and shift hours; meet with employers on a case-by- case basis; identify volunteers to accompany individuals to interviews and through hiring process; orient volunteers to the person's Salesforce profile so volunteers can add pertinent information over time; provide training for volunteers $5,000 Salesforce CRM While we double down on personalized efforts to connect individuals with better job opportunities, we aim to simultaneously create a management system that we can use to efficiently track progress toward employment goals and develop a map of how refugee workers are channeled into and through different employment sectors, so that overtime we can more quickly connect workers to better jobs and more efficiently move them closer to their expert profession. We would have to custom code the data management system using 11 Salesforce, coded for both volunteer and participant access replete with guiding resources on pathways to employment. Total Cost $14,120 # of 30 (April-June) Individuals Cost per $470.67 Individual Budget Notes While the funding is to cover efforts from April-June, we anticipate that our efforts would impact a larger number of individuals, as the people that we begin working with toward the end of the fiscal year would continue on through the subsequent months. This infusion of support would allow us to not only work one-on-one with individuals, but invest in front-loaded work needed to establish sustainable systems and mechanisms that, once constructed, will need minimal maintenance in the future. This means the cost per individual will reduce over time, setting our efforts up for long term viability. The staff time line items are top priority, as they are most critical to being able to allocate time and focus to this effort. Anticipated Impact As a result of the funding for additional staff time and resources, RCP anticipates making the following impact: • An additional 20 refugee individuals will be connected to improved employment opportunities, and an additional 10 refugee individuals will be connected to employment support services. • 10 additional volunteers will be trained as employment navigators, to accompany individuals to interviews and through the hiring process • RCP will establish relationships with 20 additional local employers • RCP will train 10+ employers on creative, culturally-appropriate solutions to circumnavigating language barriers and cultural competency • RCP will establish refugee employment as a priority topic amongst the Carrboro Business Alliance and local business owners • RCP will develop a customized management system to identify, benchmark, and track employment goals achieved, centralize relevant materials to job acquisition like resumes and legal documents, as well as case notes to better measure outcomes and impact • RCP will construct an employment map identifying current and potential employers, to develop sustainable job improvement channels as a resource for refugees and for volunteers helping them work toward employment goals 12 Refugee Support Center: Orange County Funding Request, March 10, 2017 Refugees coming to the United States face numerous challenges. Arriving in a new country with the loss of support from extended family and established cultural networks, they encounter significant obstacles. These include securing work and housing, accessing health care, mastering public transit, raising children in an unfamiliar culture and educational setting, and navigating the legal system. In addition, cultural and language barriers permeate every aspect of their lives, as do their experiences of severe trauma and struggle preceding and during the course of their flight. These barriers are met with a fierce determination to improve their lives and those of their children. Nonetheless, perseverance and resilience alone cannot offset all obstacles; and for many situations, refugees need guidance and assistance. The Refugee Support Center(RSC), the 2016 recipient of the North Carolina Peace Prize, is a 501 (c) 3, volunteer-based organization established in 2012 to serve and promote the self-sufficiency of over 1,100 refugees who now live in Orange County, North Carolina. Refugees are assisted with resettlement in their first three months by resettlement agencies which have cooperative agreements with the Department of State to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. After 90 days, these agencies typically phase out their assistance to start working with other arrivals. It is following this 90-day period that our services are most often sought after and then accessed long term. Services scheduled on an ongoing basis include citizenship and English language instruction, as well as free lunch distribution to school age refugees during the summer. However, most refugees come to RSC on an "as needed"basis for a variety of services that include, but are not limited to: • accessing health care, social services and other community resources; • acquiring permanent residence (green cards), naturalization, derivative citizenship and/or family reunification status; • securing employment; • navigating educational systems, including preschool,public school, community college and adult education; 13 • learning how to use mass transit or pass driver's license tests; • understanding banking, acquiring loans and other aspects of personal finances; • understanding apartment living including leases, rules, appliances, applying for public housing or home • accessing attorneys, either pro Bono or low costs, for citations, divorce, custody, domestic violence, and home purchases; • securing scholarships for their children to participate in enrichment activities • enrolling in our citizenship and English classes and/or our tutoring program The total number of refugees who came to RSC for these services and others was 975. Since its inception, RSC has been housed in donated space in the clubroom of Carolina Apartments. We are grateful for the generosity of the apartment complex management but have been told that the arrangement must end within six weeks because of their space needs. We welcome the opportunity to move into our own space because the current situation limits the services we can offer. We seek funding to cover the rental costs of a unit in Carolina Apartments that will house the RSC. Carolina Apartments management will continue to make their office equipment available to the RSC and is donating office furniture for our new location. Maintaining our location in an area where many refugees live and can get to us by foot or bus is a priority. Having our own free standing Center will also enable us to: • Expand our Pathway to Citizenship program by providing on-site citizenship preparation classes (history and civic literacy to pass the naturalization test) and pre-citizenship English Language Learner (ELL) classes in dedicated classroom space equipped with instructional supplies and equipment. Our four citizenship classes are currently held off-site; one had to be terminated due to lack of space and ELL classes are conducted in refugees' homes. A second component of this program enhanced by additional space will be our immigration legal services. These include completing and filing of 14 naturalization,permanent residence (green card), derivative citizenship, and family reunification applications and limited representation of applicants with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). RSC is the only Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)recognized organization in Orange County and has the County's only BIA accredited representative on staff In 2016, the Pathway to Citizenship program served a total of 169 refugees: 73 for citizenship and pre-citizenship instruction and 96 for immigration legal services. It is anticipated that these numbers will increase by 20%with the move to a new space and anticipated growing demand. • Provide confidential office space where refugees assisted by staff and volunteers are assured that their personal information and concerns are not overheard by others waiting to be assisted. For example, currently when our pro Bono attorney is dealing with refugees on cases such as domestic violence, custody and citations, other clients are asked to wait in the gym or on the porch. In addition to waiting room space, more space will also be available for locked file cabinets and storage of office supplies. • Improve volunteer training and on-going support for UNC students and community member volunteers by allocating training space and maintaining a centralized instructional materials library. Our volunteer coordinator, a Master's level ELL teacher, currently meets with volunteers individually and online and keeps materials and supplies in her home, distributing individually as needed. A centralized location of materials and books that is easily accessible to volunteers would provide a more efficient and effective instructional program. At present, we have 112 active volunteers with a wait list of 37. • Maximize opportunities for RSC to collaborate with other organizations serving refugees by sharing space. Several agencies compliment our services, such as the UNC Refugee Wellness which provides mental health treatment; Orange Literacy which provides 15 ELL and citizenship classes; and Family Reading Partners which provides reading hours for parents and preschool children. Refugees will benefit if these services are offered where they live. We will also explore mutual areas for collaboration with El Centro and share space as needed. • Provide dedicated space to store donated items and goods for distribution to those who come to RSC. We currently decline most donations of clothes and canned goods because storage space is limited to under the director's desk. Community members who have collected diapers, personal hygiene products, household cleaning supplies etc. are holding them in their homes until space under this desk becomes available. BUDGET: Office Space Number of Total Funds Months Requested Center Facilities $945/month 12 $1 1,340 Anticipated IMPACT/OUTCOMES: Refugees served by Requested Cost per RSC in 2016 Funds Refugee Cost Impact Projection 975 $11,340 $11.63 • Increase Pathways to Citizenship clients served by 20% • Improved efficiency and quality of service by centralizing location for supplies, volunteer training and materials, confidential office space for direct service work with clients, and shared space with collaborating organizations. 16 OFFICE OF THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF Sheriff Charles S.Blackwood 106 East Margaret Lane Hillsborough,North Carolina 27278 Hillsborough Chapel Hill Fax (919)644-3050 (919)942-6300 (919)732-6403 Questions arise in uncertain times,and we are looked to for answers. Recently questions regarding immigration directives made by our nation's commander in chief have been the cause of concern for people throughout the country,including the folks that live,work, and play in Orange County. We would not presume to predict the ultimate outcome of such directives. Our nation is time tested and steadfast in its resolve to weigh the merits of our leaders' actions and to apply the most democratic solution to issues. As for our Office, we will continue to remain true to our Mission. We are committed to being responsive to the needs of all members of our community as well as to those who visit or travel through our great county,without regard to the individual differences that make us unique. We will put fear and bias aside and treat all people with the respect and courtesy they deserve. Following our principles,we will remain the cornerstone of Orange County by aligning ourselves with the specific needs of those we serve. While carrying out our mission,we will not act in the capacity of immigration enforcement agents. We will perform our duties within the bounds of the statutes that govern our State, and continue to uphold the Constitutions of North Carolina and the United States. Our vision for the community's future is that people of all ages are secure and able to move freely about as they live, work, raise their families, and age in place with dignity and support.