Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: Housing and Community Development
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Thao Costis
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): 230184
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Specialized, Technical, or Unique in Nature
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request that the County Judge execute an amendment to an agreement with Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project in the additional amount of $80,000 for Immigration & Naturalization Services Fund for the Housing and Community Development Department for the extended period of October 10, 2026 - December 31, 2026 (230184), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Specialized, Technical, or Unique in Nature.
end
Background and Discussion:
There are approximately 424,000 Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) in Harris County (per 2020 census), most
of whom are likely already eligible for naturalization (eligibility for citizenship is typically three or five years
after obtaining residence). There are more LPRs in Harris County than there are naturalized citizens (33% vs.
29% of foreign-born population). Residents can still be deported or lose status if they don’t become citizens.
Naturalization also offers more economic opportunities and the chance to participate in democracy (voting,
running for office, jury duty). A Stanford study found that removing the cost barrier for naturalization ($760
to file per person) dramatically increases the likelihood they will file for naturalization. Under new 2024 fee
rule, more people are eligible for reduced fee - paying only 50% ($380) if their income is below 400% poverty,
making it more of an incentive to apply for citizenship now.
Expected Impact:
The approval of this item will allow for the continued direct legal services needed for the operation of the
Immigration Naturalization Legal Services Fund Program housed in Harris County Community Services
Department, and allow more LPR’s to be naturalized.
Alternative Options:
N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: 6. Help residents achieve housing stability.
County Strategic Plan Objective: V: Reduce eviction and foreclosure rates among residents.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): V1: Enhance and centralize eviction legal aid and financial assistance programs.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
06/27/2023 |
219 |
Request for approval of a project scheduled for advertisement |
|
10/10/2023 |
311 |
Request for approval of an award on the basis of best proposal meeting requirements and execute agreements |
|
03/26/2024 |
432 |
Request to execute an amendment to an agreement |
|
08/27/2024 |
264 |
Request for approval of a renewal option (1 of 4) |
|
10/29/2024 |
343 |
Request to execute an amendment to an agreement |
|
08/07/2025 |
304 |
Request for approval of a renewal option (2 of 4) |
|
06/25/2026 |
90, 94, 95 |
Request to execute an amendment to an agreement |
Location: N/A
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Immigration-Naturalization Legal Services |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$586,652.67 |
$586,652.67 |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$586,652.67 |
$586,652.67 |
$ |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
|
CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
|
CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 9/17/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/10/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Toi Babineaux, Director, Community Resilience Programs Housing and
Community Development; Jessica Barelas, Contract Manager, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter, Amendment