Department: Purchasing
Department Head/Elected Official: DeWight Dopslauf
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Renewal
Project ID (if applicable): 230184
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): BakerRipley; Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project.; Justice for All Immigrants
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: 0% - Specialized, Technical, or Unique in Nature
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a renewal option with BakerRipley in the amount of $508,000; Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, $380,000; and Justice for All Immigrants, $412,000 for Immigration & Naturalization Services Fund for Housing and Community Development for the period of October 10, 2024 - October 9, 2025 (230184), Justification for 0% MWDBE 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:
None
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
3/26/2024 |
432 |
First Amendment Approved |
|
10/10/2023 |
311 |
Approved-Contracts (Multiple Vendors) |
|
06/27/2023 |
219 |
Advertisement Approved |
Location: N/A
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Immigration-Naturalization Legal Services |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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1040 - FLEX Fund |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 08/27/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Toi Babineaux, Director, Community Resilience Programs Housing and Community Development; Matthew McGarrity, Senior Buyer, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter