From the Desk of the CEO: How History Has Prepared Us for This Next Chapter

By Jeff Thielman, President and CEO at the International Institute of New England

Coinciding with the return of the Trump administration, IINE’s Boston Centennial has prompted me to reflect on our organization’s long service history. A deep dive into our archives, which is represented in our commemorative blog series, reminds my colleagues and me that xenophobic federal policies and negativity toward immigrants are why the International Institute of New England exists.  

Our Boston doors opened on February 1, 1924 when a group of women at the YWCA bravely took a stand against intense anti-immigrant federal policies and growing public sentiment. At that time, many in the Boston immigrant community were deeply impoverished, feared, and dehumanized. The founders of the International Institute of Boston rejected the notion that those who are born outside of the U.S. are inferior to those born here, pushed past prejudice with moral clarity, and built an institution to take action in the face of threats to human dignity.  

The International Institute of New England would come to welcome and care for new families for over a century, and as the recent presidential election demonstrates, our work remains essential. Immigration was a focus of intense debate during the election. Unfortunately, neither candidate spoke much about how critical immigrants are to our economy. Indeed, they contribute roughly $103 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product annually. There was little mention of the need to create a fair and well-managed immigration system, which polling tells us is overwhelming supported by the majority of Americans. Instead, rhetoric sensationalized “securing” the already highly secure U.S.-Mexico border, ignored the reality that global mass displacement will only grow due to conflicts and the effects of climate change, and portrayed our neighbors, colleagues, and friends as dangerous criminals capable of killing and eating house pets. 

We are deeply concerned about the policy plans and anticipated executive orders of the incoming President, and in the coming months we will do our part to advocate for sound, bipartisan solutions to improve our immigration system. The President-elect has pledged to end the refugee program, close borders, and implement mass deportations. If Mr. Trump’s proposals survive court challenges, they will not only devastate many families and communities, but they will also wreak havoc throughout the U.S. economy.

Our country and our agency will endure through this next period of American history. We have seen dark times before, and we always pull through. Together with strong community partners and coalitions, we will continue to advocate fiercely for our clients and provide them with critical, lifechanging services, focusing on whatever is possible in the moment we are in. 

In the short term, we have two goals:  

1. Resettle as many refugees and immigrants as possible while our nation’s doors are open to them. Our teams are working on weekends and during vacations to bring in over 300 refugees by January 20, 2025. 
2. Keep caring for those in need. We are currently serving more than 10,000 people in various stages of rebuilding their lives in our communities, and many are fearful about what lies ahead. Our priority is making sure our clients understand their rights and have access to reliable legal services. 

Our team of professional staff and volunteers at the International Institute of New England—bolstered by ever-increasing support from around the region and the country—is inspired every day by the thousands of New Americans we are privileged to know and serve. As the new administration prepares to take office, we are more energized and committed than at any time in our history to fulfill our mission of welcoming, valuing, and helping individuals and families from around the world to launch new lives, live in peace, and contribute to a better and stronger country.