The International Institute of Lowell has supported individuals and families fleeing humanitarian crises throughout its history. During World War II, it offered Red Cross training and immigration assistance. After the war, it resettled refugees from Europe and the Soviet Union. The 1953 Refugee Relief Act increased arrivals from China and Eastern Asia, followed by efforts for those fleeing the Azores and Cuba in the 1960s. In the late 20th century, it welcomed refugees from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Balkans, Central America, and Asia, as well as newcomers from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and Iraq. In 2011, it merged with the International Institutes of Boston and Manchester to form the International Institute of New England.

Since its founding, legal and citizenship services have been a cornerstone of the International Institute of Lowell. In its first 20 years, the organization significantly assisted with naturalization applications, helping 81 clients in 1930 and increasing to 528 by 1939. These efforts established IIL as a key source of legal information, aiding in family reunifications and immigration paperwork. Since its 2018 relaunch, IINE’s legal immigration services has supported over 200 Lowell, Boston, and Manchester clients in navigating complex immigration processes.

Since 1918, the International Institute of Lowell has offered English classes, starting with 16 courses and 187 students. In the 1930s, it expanded to include foreign languages like Russian, Italian, and Arabic. The focus shifted to nursing during World War II before returning to English. In the 1950s and 1960s, the International Institute offered conversation and speech correction, as well as German, Portuguese, Armenian, and Spanish classes. Today, IINE provides extensive English instruction for refugees and immigrants and offers a Nursing Assistant training program to address the demand for skilled healthcare workers.

Annually, our organization serves more than 10,000 refugees, asylees, and immigrants across three locations: Boston, Lowell, and Manchester. We aim to equip each of our clients with the skills and tools needed to achieve their dreams and contribute to New England’s growth.