International Institute of New England’s Post

An interesting perspective - at Neighbors Link, we see this on the ground everyday, community members stepping forward to welcome new arrivals. "The story you probably don’t know is that more than 2 million Americans have volunteered to serve as private sponsors for refugees in the last two-and-half years, serving as bridges to safety for newcomers in need. They’re Republicans and Democrats, Northerners and Southerners, Americans in big coastal cities and in small towns across the heartland. They’ve leveraged over $7 billion in their own time and money to pay for travel; to meet newcomers at the airport; to help them find housing, employment, education and English classes; and to support newcomers navigating their new communities." https://lnkd.in/eckMVPMr

NEW PROGRAM ALERT — Recognizing the growing demand for support of immigrants and asylum seekers in the Northeast, in May 2023, CDI launched its first program designed to service immigrant communities. Click the link to learn how you can support: https://lnkd.in/g2QTJbhw CDI has unique experience in co-op development and the changing needs of immigrant communities. In its early stages, the CDI’s immigrant services aims to form an immigrant cooperative services business alliance; increase local ownership of business, housing, land and other assets; and fundraise and partner with financial institutions to invest more general resources into Immigrant Services and its beneficiaries. Click the link above to learn how you can support this program. #immigrantownedbusinesses #immigrants #cooperatives #smallbusinesses

Following World War I, Mary Hurlbutt, who served as the Director of the Immigration Service Bureau for the YWCA, discerned persistent challenges faced by individuals migrating between countries. Recognizing the obstacles that existing systems posed to family reunification, communication with loved ones, and international travel, Hurlbutt introduced the term "International Case Work." This concept laid the foundation for the establishment of the ISS network, which persists in its mission to this day. #ISS100 #100yearsISS #ISSwomenexplorers #ISSrestoringlinks #ISSpioneeradvocacy #ISSsocialworkers #families #childprotection #childrensrights #ISSCONNECT2024

Asylum seekers arrive with nothing but the weight of what they've left behind: cherished memories, livelihoods, and connections severed in pursuit of safety. CIAC stands by those who were lawyers, doctors, and educators in their homelands, eager to contribute their expertise here. Yet, the reality for many #asylumseekers is stark: penniless and struggling to meet basic needs. While awaiting asylum decisions, which can drag on for years, they exist in a state of uncertainty, barred from employment and reliant on scant government assistance. Without access to public funds, housing, or work, they are vulnerable to homelessness, abuse, and exploitation. At CIAC we are here to help and to connect cultures and change lives. 🌐 We're proud to provide a low-cost fee services and extensive pro bono assistance to those in need. With five dedicated staff and ten volunteers from nine nationalities, CIAC is a diverse organisation making a difference in our ever changing community. #CIAC #ImmigrationSupport #immigrationadvice #asylumadvice #refugees #AsylumSeekers #refusedasylumseekers #eeamigrants #migrants #immigration #asylum

Once again, our American values are being tested with the recent migration of more than 13,000 asylum seekers fleeing from a desperate and life threatening situation in their country and traveling thousands of miles through dangerous conditions to seek refuge in America and bused here to Chicago. However, there are political forces who will not waste an opportunity to divide our country for political gain, even if it is using helpless women and children. This tactic is being use deliberately to drive an anti-immigrant movement and to create an ideology of nationalism, which is intended to discourage the acceptance of immigrants. Moreover, this tactic is being used to divide our communities, especially communities experiencing socioeconomic challenges. Chicago’s south and west side neighborhoods have experienced decades of neglect. From food and housing insecurities to public health and safety crisis, our communities have been screaming for socioeconomic justice, especially when billions of dollars are building up areas downtown and its immediate collar neighborhoods to attract the most affluent residents and an alarming out-migration of black residents leaving the city due to economic deprivation. There is hope! This migrant challenge can be a teachable moment for our city, county, and State governments to prioritize economic development in our communities so that we can better absorb crisis (i.e. COVID, economic recessions, inflation, humanitarian challenges). This is not just one-off projects during an election cycle to win votes but long-term commitments to relieve some of the economic burden that has plagued our communities for decades. I have been pushing our city and state to prioritize our, Far South Community Development Corporation, Bringing Communities Back Initiative, which is a plan to redevelop more than 1 million square feet of vacant areas into thriving hubs for local residents and families. Whether it is new single-family homes to mixed-use developments, our initiative seeks to address some of the challenges facing Chicago’s far south side. This is a critical moment for our city to not cave into the political divisive tactics but recognize and implement policies and resources strategically to address the immediate humanitarian crisis while committing to long-term economic recovery in our low-to-moderate income communities. We can do this. After all, we have the slogan, "The City That Works". I have full confidence that Mayor Johnson and his team, the Governor, and our communities will overcome this challenge. #BringingCommunitiesBackInitiative https://lnkd.in/gjb8nssv

Family ties aren't just crucial in American culture; they're the cornerstone of society. From parents aiming to offer their kids better futures to siblings longing for reunions, family-based immigration brings immeasurable emotional and social benefits. At Glinsmann Immigration, we are committed to helping families reunite and build a new life in the United States. Contact us and schedule an online consultation: https://lnkd.in/eTzRwcWz #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyer #ImmigrationSupport #ImmigrationAttorney #FamilyMatters #LegalSupport

Community Leaders Announce Webinar Series Aiming to Contextualize Chicago’s Newest Migration Wave Today, Alianza Americas, the Latino Policy Forum, Center for Immigrant Progress, The Resurrection Project, and the National Immigrant Justice Center, announced a three-part webinar series titled “Contextualizing the Migrant Crisis Narrative,” that will explore the root causes of migration to the United States, the response from the City of Chicago and the network of local communities, and the historical and recent wounds in the relationship between different marginalized communities in Chicago. Don't miss these critical conversations taking place Jan. 18th, and Feb. 1st and 22nd. Follow the link below to learn more and register. #Migrants #MigrantJustice #Chicago #LatinAmerica

This video shows how two challenges of our time -- the growing number of refugees in the world and lack of long-term solutions, and labor shortages in many western countries -- can be addressed through creativity and tapping into refugees' skills. The Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP) that RefugePoint has built with the Canadian government and other partners has led to many refugees moving to Canada, building new lives, and caring for an aging Canadian population in Nova Scotia. This video, highlighting how valuable this program is for Canadian employers and for the refugees who move there. As Bahati, a featured speaker who was one of the first arrivals, says, "Canada is very lucky to have us, and we're lucky to have it too." RefugePoint helped all those featured in this video. I can't wait to visit them in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, next month, where many are settling. A number of key partnerships make this program work, including with Talent Beyond Boundaries (a global leader in refugee labor mobility), UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and IOM - UN Migration. Now other countries, such as the U.S., U.S. Department of State, UK, Australia, and a growing number of EU countries, have started their own programs inspired by Canada's success. https://lnkd.in/eJEFcMXg

If you work with refugees and other migrants, EU citizens living in the UK, people on benefits, disabled people, or students that may start privately renting, our guide will explain what they need to know about starting a tenancy, how to prove their right to rent and what to do if they encounter problems with the landlord or estate agency. Access and share our guide today. ↘️http://bit.ly/3Fqcyva #RightToRent #Tenancy