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Author: Danielle Gauthier

From the Desk of the CEO: The Impact of Refugees on Host Communities

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, FEATURED, From the Desk of the CEO, Refugee Resettlement.

Five lessons from the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

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

Some question how welcoming refugees affects the strength, culture, and character of a nation. The question is a fair one—and the answer is clear.  

Refugees are people who cannot return to their homeland because they were persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political origin, or membership in a particular social group. The U.S. accepts a small number of the world’s vast refugee population each year because a significant majority of Americans support welcoming people to the U.S. for humanitarian reasons. In fact, doing so is a value that has been part of American life since our nation’s founding 250 years ago.  

Host communities and the country as a whole benefit when refugees come to the U.S. Thousands of people across New England have helped IINE support newly arrived refugees, helping them to learn English, to understand and navigate their new homes, and to prepare for employment. With their presence, our culture becomes richer, and the economy grows stronger.   

We’ve seen this put into practice since the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program was formalized forty-five years ago. It’s an integral part of the story of how the U.S. became a global superpower, and it should be a crucial part of the next chapter of the American story.  

Here are five lessons we’ve learned at IINE through over five decades of work with refugees. 

1) The level of support provided to refugees soon after they arrive determines their success.

When refugees have early access to English instruction, community orientation, and employment support, they can integrate quickly into a new community. By integration, we mean they become part of the economic, social, cultural, and civic life of their new community while preserving their unique heritage. Refugee employment rates rise steadily in their first few years in the country, and newcomers fill gaps in important industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and the service sector.  

Once they start work, they feed the economy with new consumer spending and tax revenue. According to a report released in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), over a fifteen year period (2005-2019), refugees generated a net benefit to all levels of government of $123.8 billion, meaning they paid more in taxes than the government gave them in benefits.  

Meanwhile, host communities benefit from new energy, restaurants, fashion, and ideas. Newcomers are deeply patriotic and eager to pay the hospitality they have received forward, making the community a better place.  

2) Social cohesion is strengthened when people from diverse backgrounds come to rely upon one another.

Cohesion isn’t about sameness, it’s about neighborliness. Prejudices fade, and communities grow stronger when people work, learn, pray, and participate in civic life together. One study from Data for Progress shows that among Americans who personally know a refugee, 89% support the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.  

In New England, U.S. citizens and refugees from different countries, cultures, and traditions often find common ground in the importance they place on working hard, caring for their neighborhoods, even rooting together for the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots—revealing American values at their best. 

Refugees also receive strong support from institutions they join. Labor unions, for example, have stepped up to defend immigrant and refugee workers. One recent case is the advocacy effort for Tufts University student and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) member Rümeysa Öztürk in Somerville, MA.  

3) Well-integrated newcomers help communities stay economically strong and sustainable.

Many communities across New England are faced with rapidly aging populations and outmigration of younger people due to high housing costs, resulting in workforce shortages and a smaller tax base. The healthcare industry has been hit particularly hard, putting the supply of elder care at risk. Many refugees become caregivers and provide this critically needed service. 

Here in New England, the arrival of Southeast Asian refugees to communities like Lowell in the 1980s and 1990s reversed a population decline and led to the rebuilding of neighborhoods and creation of a much more vibrant city. In Manchester, NH, refugee resettlement has brought new students to a school system facing declining enrollment. In both communities, IINE is training a new generation of nursing assistants and home health care aides. 

4) When refugees have full access to civic life, they strengthen it.

As IINE Golden Door Honoree Noubar Afeyan often reminds us, people who are “Americans by choice” feel a strong commitment to helping this country realize its potential. This is especially true of those who have experienced persecution and exclusion. At IINE, our clients often speak of wanting to give back. They gravitate towards the caring professions, sign up as volunteers to assist fellow refugees, and sometimes even join our staff. Many have a strong drive to become citizens, longing to be able to vote and participate fully in their new communities.  

Nationally, studies show that refugees naturalize at high rates, with about 66% becoming U.S. citizens within 10–15 years. Some refugees and their families become public servants: in Boston, City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune (left), the daughter of Haitian immigrants, just completed a term as Boston’s City Council President. In Lowell, Vanna Howard (middle) was recently elected as the nation’s first Cambodian State Senator. In Manchester, NH, former IINE client Suraj Budathoki (right), a Bhutanese refugee, is a state legislator. Refugees don’t just integrate into civic life; they help lead it. 

5) Welcoming refugees reflects confidence in who we are and will shape who we want to become.

The United States has never been defined by a single culture or background, but by shared commitments: to freedom, to democratic participation, to class mobility, to rewarding ingenuity, and to the idea that people from different places can live and work together. Refugee resettlement is one of the clearest expressions of these values in action. 

When we invest in helping refugees integrate and eventually contribute to the growth of our region, we reinforce the kind of country we choose to be: confident enough in our institutions and values to welcome others, and strong enough to incorporate new perspectives into American life.  

Welcoming refugees does not weaken cultural cohesion. Welcoming and helping refugees integrate into a new community makes this country a better place for everyone. 

Welcoming, supporting, and integrating refugees is a community effort. Explore opportunities to get involved.

Announcing Our New Director of Immigration Legal Services

The International Institute of New England Hires Rebecca LaPierre as Director of Immigration Legal Services

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Our Team, Press Releases/Statements.

BOSTON – March 30, 2026 – The International Institute of New England (IINE), one of the region’s longest-established nonprofits serving refugees and immigrants, has announced the hiring of Rebecca LaPierre as its new Director of Immigration Legal Services. 

An experienced attorney and educator, LaPierre brings deep expertise in immigration law and cross-cultural communication. In her new role, she will oversee IINE’s Immigration Legal Services program, leading a team of attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, paralegals, and legal assistants who provide expert, client-focused legal representation and consultation to refugees, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations across New England. The program supports immigrants seeking humanitarian protection, family reunification, lawful permanent residency, and pathways to long‑term stability and citizenship. 

Prior to joining IINE, Rebecca served as a senior staff attorney at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), where she supervised legal teams, provided strategic oversight on complex immigration cases, ensured effective reporting and grant compliance, and helped develop internal policies, training programs, and case management systems. Her legal practice focused on affirmative immigration matters, including asylum, Special Immigrant Visas, adjustment of status, and family reunification. Her previous roles also include working as a labor and employment attorney at Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP in Boston and at Eaton Peabody in Bangor, Maine. LaPierre received a Master of Arts in International Human Rights and Global Ethics from the University of Leicester and a Doctor of Law (JD) from the University of Maine, School of Law.  

In addition to her legal work, LaPierre currently serves as an adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University, where she has taught undergraduate courses in legal and justice studies, social justice, restorative justice, and business law. She is committed to building inclusive, discussion‑driven classrooms and mentoring students. 

“In today’s immigration landscape, ensuring that refugees and immigrants have access to expert, compassionate, and affordable legal services is especially critical,” said IINE President and CEO Jeff Thielman. “Rebecca’s extensive immigration law experience, strong leadership, and deep commitment to justice make her an exceptional addition to our leadership team. We are thrilled to welcome her to IINE at such a crucial moment for the communities we serve.” 

LaPierre’s hire comes at a time of significant legal advocacy for organizations like IINE on behalf of immigrants and refugees. Earlier this month, a federal court judge ruled in favor of a group of plaintiffs, including IINE, blocking the federal government from arresting and detaining any refugee who has been in the U.S. for a year and not yet received a green card.

“I am excited to join the team of committed advocates and legal professionals at IINE,” said LaPierre. “It is an honor to be part of an organization with such a long, impactful legacy of uplifting immigrant communities throughout New England.” 

Federal Lawsuit Update: Court Blocks Unlawful Refugee Detention Policy

Federal Lawsuit Update: Court Blocks Unlawful Refugee Detention Policy

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Advocacy, Blog, FEATURED, Press Releases/Statements, Refugee Resettlement.

Unopposed Motion was Granted as Court Halts Policy Forcing Arrest and Indefinite Detention of Lawfully Admitted Refugees

Boston, Mass. — Six refugees, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, and the International Institute of New England (IINE) secured a major court victory today when a federal court blocked the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful “Refugee Detention Policy,” which mandates the warrantless arrest and potentially indefinite detention of lawfully admitted refugees. Plaintiffs are represented by Democracy Forward and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted the plaintiffs’ motion to pause the policy – an unopposed motion after the government chose not to contest, effectively conceding to the plaintiffs’ arguments – finding that refugees are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims and that they would face irreparable harm without the court’s intervention. The order prevents the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from enforcing the policy while the case proceeds.

The motion follows a lawsuit challenging a policy issued that sought to mandate the arrest and detention of refugees who had not applied for or received permanent residency within one year, despite no evidence of wrongdoing and no statutory authority to detain them. The challenged policy was set to disrupt longstanding federal guidance, including a 2010 Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy confirming that a refugee’s failure to apply for adjustment of status is not a lawful basis for detention. 

“This ruling is a victory for the refugees we are privileged to serve every day at IINE—brave individuals who followed the law, trusted this country, and deserve to live peacefully and without fear. It is also a win for everyone who believes in the fundamental American values of humanity, due process, and dignity for all,” said Jeffrey Thielman, President and CEO of the International Institute of New England. “Today and every day, we are proud to stand in solidarity with refugees, so they may find the safety and opportunity they deserve and that our nation promised.” 

The court found that the plaintiffs face clear harm, noting that the threat of unlawful detention is quintessential irreparable harm. The court further recognized that the policy would disrupt the core missions of the organizational plaintiffs. “I have sat with refugee families in their first hours in this country — exhausted, hopeful, and trusting that the United States would keep its promise to them. Today’s ruling honors that promise and recognizes what our tradition has long taught: that no one should be told they do not belong. Detaining people who have done everything right is not justice; it is cruelty. Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts celebrates today’s order as one important step toward restoring justice and humanity to our immigration system. Refugees who arrive in this country lawfully should never face detention simply because of a manufactured delay in paperwork,” said Rabbi James Greene, CEO of Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts.

“Today’s ruling affirms that the government cannot manipulate the law to justify the mass arrest and detention of people,” said Steven Bressler, Senior Legal Advisor at Democracy Forward. “For decades, federal law has established that refugees who are lawfully present in the United States will not be jailed simply because of administrative delays or paperwork. This new policy was as cruel as it was unlawful, and we are encouraged that the court is protecting the fundamental rights of refugees and ensuring the Trump-Vance administration follows the law.”

“Just as we previously blocked the Trump administration from terrorizing refugees in Minnesota, we have now stopped this policy of illegal arrest and detention from being carried out on a national scale,” said Laurie Ball Cooper, Vice President of U.S. Legal Programs at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). “While this case moves forward, refugees can live their lives without worrying about the government ripping them away from their families and communities.”

Federal law requires refugees to apply for permanent residency (a green card) after at least one year of physical presence in the U.S. The new policy targets not only those who need time to complete their applications and medical exams, but also approximately 100,000 refugees who have pending applications that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not adjudicated, leaving more than 100,000 in limbo.

Refugee status does not expire after one year, but the Trump-Vance administration now claims that on the 366th day after arrival, refugees who have not yet received their green cards must be arrested and detained indefinitely. By freezing applications and then using the agency’s delay as a basis for detention, the Trump-Vance administration is creating a trap in which refugees are penalized for the government’s own failure to act. Today’s order blocks the unlawful policy, restoring longstanding protections and ensuring that refugees will not be subjected to unlawful arrest and detention while the case continues.

The case is Jean A. et al v. Noem, and the legal team at Democracy Forward includes Kali Schellenberg, Erez Reuveni, Jennie Kneedler, Ryan Cooper, Steven Bressler, and Robin Thurston. The legal team at IRAP includes Ghita Schwarz, Lupe Aguirre, Mevlüde Akay Alp, Dalia Fuleihan, Kimberly Grano, and Pedro Sepulveda.

IINE is committed to fighting for the rights and safety of refugees, but we need your support. Please consider making a donation today.

“Pro-Immigrant” Message Wins Fans and Raises Funds at New Hampshire Coffee Shop

“Pro-Immigrant” Message Wins Fans and Raises Funds at New Hampshire Coffee Shop

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Community Partners, Manchester.

A Day of Protest

It was January 30, 2026, a day on which activists throughout the country had called for work stoppages, school walkouts, and shopping boycotts in protest of violence and rights violations by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE).  

“We felt like we wanted to do something, but at the same time—I think a lot of small businesses felt this way—we didn’t want to close our doors because we have a lot of hourly employees and a lot of customers who rely on them,” says MacKenzie Logan, a Manchester, New Hampshire native who founded Flamingos Coffee Bar five years ago. “An alternative was to find a local organization that helps immigrant communities.” 

On their social media accounts, under the phrase “Disgustingly Pro-Immigrant” across a flamingo-pink background, the café announced that all of its proceeds for the day at both of its locations in Exeter and Hampton would be donated to the International Institute of New England.

Coffee and a Cause

MacKenzie hadn’t been familiar with IINE, but when she found the organization through some internet research, she was impressed. “I thought it was a really worthy cause, and I thought supporting it could be a cool way to shift the narrative that day.” 

Why the phrase “Disgustingly Pro-Immigrant”? Turns out it was a riff on another slogan that had helped establish the café’s identity. 

“It started from a 2-star Yelp review someone left us one day, saying that our café made them feel ‘uncomfortable as a man,’ that we were ‘disgustingly pro-women,’ and it was a ‘terrible business model.’ We decided to make t-shirts out of that because we loved the phrase ‘disgustingly pro-women.’ Then it sort of snowballed into this, like, movement. It’s been really cool to watch that grow.” 

Mackenzie (L) has embraced the term “Disgustingly Pro-Women” at her café, Flamingos Coffee Bar

When she posted about the review on Instagram, she got a groundswell of support. The “disgustingly pro-women” shirts she had made sold well and seemed to attract new customers. She donated 20% of the proceeds from the t-shirts to a local charity that helps women in need in her community. This venture has become important to MacKenzie and to the identity of her business. When the January 30 day of action came around, she saw an opportunity to champion another cause about which she feels strongly.

“I think just seeing everything that’s happening in the country—it’s hard to watch, and then on a personal level, my husband is an immigrant, and I’ve seen the difficulties that he’s faced just getting a Green Card. He’s very fortunate to be sponsored by a local company and to have that opportunity. I’m aware of how hard it can be for some people to get access to a pathway to citizenship—especially for people who need it for their well-being or because they’re fleeing an atrocious situation at home. I love that your organization is able to help people like that.” 

The Benefits of Speaking Out

MacKenzie says that Flamingos’ stand for immigrants’ rights on January 30 fit into the pattern of their previous activism. 

“I’m always scared that we’re going to alienate people, but the response was overwhelmingly positive. When you do make a stand like that, I’ve seen a lot of people get behind it and support you rather than demonize you for it. It was really cool to see that happen again with the pro-immigrant post that we did. A lot of people were really happy that we did that and came into support, which was cool.” 

The café raised about $1,000 for IINE, and attracted some new customers, including IINE Community Services Manager Zazie Sawyer (pictured right) and other members of IINE’s staff who are definitely keeping an eye on Flamingo’s Instagram and eager to support the café, along with their coffee habits.  

• • •

IINE depends on community support to serve refugees and immigrants in New England. There are many ways to get involved as a donor, volunteer, or advocate—including hosting your own fundraiser.

Welcome Kit

What’s In Your Welcome Kit?

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Our Team, Refugee Resettlement, Volunteer.

IINE community members on the resources they would share with newly arriving refugee families to help them feel at home 

Being a refugee takes tremendous bravery. Refugees arrive in our communities while still processing recent trauma, often carrying little more than a single suitcase, and have to rebuild their lives in a place where they often don’t know the local language, culture, or customs.  

Welcoming them calls for both empathy and imagination—skills with which our IINE community members are rich. We asked staff, clients, board members, and volunteers about their own migration experiences and family stories, and how they would put together a “Welcome Kit” for newcomers.  

Andrea West, IINE Education Admissions Specialist

Andrea (R) with IINE Employment Specialist Zahra Lofti at our annual Golden Door Award gala

What resources would you include? 

  • Descriptions of and directions to places in the community where our new friends can meet other people from their home country or region. Whenever I move to a new place, I seek out people from my home country or region. Belizean and Caribbean immigrants help me, my Mexican husband, and American son feel connected to Belize. They are also a source of support for us as we settle into and learn to navigate our new community. They tell me where I can find the ingredients I need to make the local Belizean dishes I like, places to worship, and where their kids attend school. We celebrate and commiserate with each other.  
  • List of food pantries, meal programs, and places where you can get free or cheap clothing (especially winter clothing). Moving to a new place is expensive for any family, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or nationality.  
  • Information on how to get support with childcare and places where their kids can get a good education. Childcare is expensive and can be a major barrier to families achieving self-sufficiency.  
  • Stories! Plenty of stories! Children’s stories of historical figures, history of the State of Massachusetts, stories of other refugee families. I can’t overstate the importance of stories in educating our new friends on the amazing history of Massachusetts that will make them both proud to be a part of this community and inspired to contribute to it. As an immigrant, I find comfort in stories that remind me of what those who came before me endured and fought against to bring about changes that I benefit from today. They inspire me to pay it forward and make me hopeful for the future.   
  • Directions on how to use public transportation. Buying and maintaining a car in the U.S. and using ride shares is expensive.  
  • Information on how to maintain one’s immigration status. Federal regulations regarding maintaining legal status are complicated, and not doing so may jeopardize a refugee or immigrant’s ability to continue to live and work in the U.S.
  • Sources of support for finding and landing a job. We can’t pursue our American dream without a job. Hard work is one of the greatest American values.  

What would you want them to know about their new community and neighbors? 

I am originally from Belize, and I’ve lived in Cuba, Mexico, China, and several U.S. states. The personal and professional experiences I’ve had while living in these countries have taught me two very important lessons that I would share with a newly arrived refugee family.  

The first is that the foreign policy of a country is rarely ever a reflection of the attitudes and beliefs of that nation’s everyday citizens. In America, I often see many examples of the disconnect between U.S. governmental policies on issues such as immigration and the attitudes of American citizens towards immigrants. I’ve also learned that America is a very diverse country. There is not only a wide range of races and ethnicities represented in America but also a great diversity of beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives on any given issue.  

I’d let our new arrivals know that their lives in America will not only be defined by the anti-immigrant people we see on TV and on social media or by the governmental policies that are bound to adversely affect them but by the kind and caring people in their communities.  

My husband and I have both had people shout at us in the streets to go back where we came from, but we’ve had far more Americans kindly welcome us into their homes and treat us to unbelievable hospitality. 

Is there any part of your own family story you would share? 

While growing up in Belize, I watched the brutal beating of Rodney King, an African American man, by several Los Angeles police officers on TV. The riots that erupted in L.A. when the officers were acquitted of charges of police brutality were also aired on local TV. I viewed them with my family in our living room. When it was time for me to come to the U.S., replaying those images in my mind fueled my fear of being judged and discriminated against because of the color of my skin. My fear and apprehension kept me from having meaningful relationships with white people until a friend gave me some sage advice. My friend, Sharon, who was also a Black Caribbean immigrant, encouraged me to stop going around expecting hate and discrimination. By her example, she taught me how to enter rooms and relationships with an open mind and open heart. I still experience hate and recognize and acknowledge the people who give it. But being able to move beyond that hate and to be open to the love, kindness, and joy that others bring has made me a much happier person.  

What hopes would you share for them? 

We came to the U.S. to pursue our dreams. I’d hope that they are able to accomplish theirs. I’d wish them success, however they define it. 

Luis and Angelica, former IINE clients

What resources would you include? 

We believe that community spaces for connection and dialogue are essential: places where migrants can meet, share experiences, learn from one another, and build friendships that strengthen the community. These spaces help people adapt together, regain trust, and reinforce hope, reminding us that even after trauma, there is always a path forward. 

What would you want them to know about their new community and neighbors? 

We are a multicultural family: my husband and I are Venezuelan, one of our children is also Venezuelan, two were born in Colombia, and our youngest was born here in the U.S. From the very first day, we have felt the love, solidarity, and support of our new community. We feel blessed to belong to a place where empathy, respect, and unity are lived every day, and where neighbors are kind, caring, and willing to help. 

Is there any part of your own family story you would share? 

Each stage of our journey—from Venezuela to Colombia and now to the United States—has taught us resilience, gratitude, and the value of community. Having support along the way allowed us to keep moving forward with faith and hope, and now we want to share that strength with others.  

What hopes would you share for them? 

Our hope for other families is that they find peace, stability, and a sense of belonging. Even after difficult experiences, we hope they can heal, rebuild their lives, and dream again. Especially in the hardest moments, staying united and hopeful makes all the difference. 

We also want to inspire everyone to find their passion and live freely. Look for a “why” that drives you, reinvent yourself, and pursue everything you have ever dreamed of being. Today we are in a free country: we are free, and it is time to free our minds. I have always lived by the motto “Live free, live happy,” and I believe that each of us has the power to design and create our own life. Even when challenges are hard, every step forward brings us closer to fulfilling our dreams, sharing hope, and living fully. 

It would include faith, hope, and love for humanity. This is as vital as water as oxygen and gives us the strength to continue. 

Fereshtah Thornberg, IINE Board Member

What resources would you include?  

My kit would include: 

  • A map of the city’s public transportation  
  • A list of common questions you can ask in English (example: how do I get to this address?) 
  • Some basic necessities like toothbrush and paste, shampoo, deodorant, etc.  
  • English learning tools  
  • Temp agency lists 
  • Grocery stores nearby  
  • Where to go if you or your family gets sick  
  • The closest place of worship (depending on their religious beliefs and faith) 

What would you want them to know about their new community and neighbors?  

That they care and don’t hesitate to get to know them. 

Is there any part of your own family story you would share? 

When I arrived in New York over 30 years ago, we came with very little money and a lot of anxiety for what was ahead, yet grateful that we were safe. The first two years were a journey, but looking back, it has helped shape who I am and how much compassion I have. I was looking for a job during one of the worst recorded snowstorms, but was excited for what was ahead. 

What hopes would you share for them?  

Our hopes for newly arrived refugees are that they feel safe and cared for and trust that their lives will look much different two years from now and will improve for the better as they settle into their new communities. 

Danielle Rabina, IINE Resettlement Volunteer, Boston Bound Community Sponsorship Team

Danielle (L) with members of the refugee family from Nigeria, who the Boston Bound team helped resettle

What resources would you include? 

One item a member of our group thought of [when we did welcome a family] was a book of photos with names and phone numbers of each member of our group. New immigrants that IINE is helping to resettle are meeting so many new people in their first year, while also learning a new language, that it is easy to lose track of who is who. This book was referred to often in the first months.  

Here are some other items I think would be nice to include in a Welcome Kit. 

To help the family feel cared for: 

  • A toy or stuffed animal for any children 
  • A comforting soft blanket for adults 
  • Some tea and comfort foods  

To help with navigating a new area: 

  • A map of their local neighborhood highlighting important places like supermarkets, parks, and libraries 
  • A map of the public transportation system 
  • A pre-filled public transportation pass 

Although it’s unrealistic to include in a Welcome Kit, it would be so helpful to include a personal technology teacher to teach the family how to navigate all of the important online notifications they will be getting as they create a life here.  

What would you want them to know about their new community and neighbors? 

I would like to share the variety of cultures, languages, and countries of origin of their neighbors, so they can understand how America is a melting pot made up of people from all over the world. 

Is there any part of your own family story you would share? 

I would share my own family’s immigrant story, and over time, I would share how my family celebrates American holidays and pastimes. 

What hopes would you share for them? 

[I’d share] hope for them to gain a feeling of safety, security, and support so that they can have the freedom and confidence to pursue a meaningful life here in America.   

Geoff Birmingham, IINE ESOL Volunteer

Geoff (second from R) with ESOL students at their class graduation

What resources would you include? 

I would include membership cards to three museums in Boston: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the Children’s Museum. I would give them a snowblower for winters like this year. I would offer them a Red Sox package, which includes free tickets for the family AND me as an escort, so I can explain what the heck baseball is. I would give them electric bikes with panniers to make moving around the city and doing errands easier (and urban biking lessons included, if needed). 

What would you want them to know about their new community and neighbors?  

I would say it’s important for new arrivals to know that our community is friendly—but most people won’t go out of their way to be helpful. People are busy. They don’t spend a lot of time wondering how to support others. So, it’s very important to  ask  for help if you need it. When you do that, just about everyone you approach will do whatever they can to lend a hand. 

What hopes would you share for them?  

1. That they never forget and always honor their home country. 

2. That they can remain true to their culture and traditions while also embracing ours. 
 
3. That they are able to eventually feel at home in the U.S. and feel that they belong. 

The Machado Family, former IINE clients

Our Welcome Kit would include basic household essentials, information about local services, and a welcome letter reminding them they are not alone. I would also add a list of community spaces and support networks, because feeling guided and accompanied is just as important as material help. 

• • •

Helping refugees and immigrants resettle, find safety and opportunity, and succeed in New England takes a community. Explore ways to get involved with this critical work.

IINE Sues to Block Trump-Vance Administration Policy Ordering the Arrest, Indefinite Detention of Lawfully Admitted Refugees

IINE Sues to Block Trump-Vance Administration Policy Ordering the Arrest, Indefinite Detention of Lawfully Admitted Refugees

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Advocacy, Blog, Press Releases/Statements, Refugee Resettlement.

Filing Comes Amid New Unlawful Refugee Detention Policy

Boston, Mass. — Six refugees, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, and the International Institute of New England (IINE), represented by Democracy Forward and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), filed a federal lawsuit today challenging a sweeping new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “Refugee Detention Policy” that directs the warrantless arrest and mandatory – and potentially indefinite – detention of lawfully admitted refugees who have lived in the United States for at least one year and have not yet adjusted their resident status or do not have a pending application for permanent resident or “green card” status – even though the government has no reason to believe that they are deportable or have committed any criminal violation.

This unlawful policy is part of “Operation Post-Admission Refugee Reinvestigation and Integrity Strengthening” (Operation PARRIS), in which DHS is targeting refugees. Federal law requires refugees to apply for permanent residency (a green card) after at least one year of physical presence in the U.S., but it has never authorized arrest or detention to compel submission of an application. The new policy targets not only those who need time to complete their applications and medical exams, but also up to 100,000 refugees who have pending applications, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has refused to adjudicate them, leaving more than 100,000 in limbo.

Refugee status does not expire after one year, but the Trump-Vance administration now claims that on the 366th day after arrival, refugees who have not yet received their green cards must be arrested and detained indefinitely. By freezing applications and then using the agency’s delay as a basis for detention, the Trump-Vance administration is creating a trap in which refugees are penalized for the government’s own failure to act.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenges two recent agency memoranda that reverse more than 45 years of settled practice and reinterpret federal immigration law to subject refugees to detention. Under the new policy, refugees who were lawfully admitted after extensive vetting, and who remain in lawful status, must be arrested without a warrant and detained even if they have not been charged with any crime or immigration violation. The policy reverses decades of settled agency guidance, which made clear that a refugee’s lack of adjustment to permanent resident status is not a lawful basis for arrest or detention.

Plaintiffs have also filed a motion for a preliminary injunction and stay, asking the court to stop the policy under the Administrative Procedure Act to prevent irreparable harm to refugees while the case proceeds.

“I fled death threats and waited nearly a decade to resettle as a refugee in the United States,” said plaintiff Mona C. “My family has worked hard to restart our lives, but now I am worried that ICE might arrest me. Who will take care of my children if I am arrested and detained? We came to the U.S. to live in peace and safety, not to relive the horrors of our past.”

“Litigation is not our standard method of advocacy, but when the federal government directly targets refugees—resilient, hardworking community members who escaped persecution and were promised safety by our nation—we must stand up and speak out,” said Jeff Thielman, International Institute of New England President and CEO. “IINE is committed to fighting for the rights and protection of refugees, and we know our commitment is strengthened by a majority of Americans across the country, who recognize, too, the importance of welcome and humanity.”

Rabbi James Greene, CEO of Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, said, “Refugee families often waited years for resettlement and were promised safety and an opportunity to build their lives here in the United States. With this policy, DHS is threatening them with arrest and detention for an indefinite period without any cause, crime, or reason. The Bible’s most often repeated commandment is to welcome the stranger – it is our central value and a pillar of Jewish tradition. To allow this policy to come into effect would be a rejection of the values that we most hold dear. We stand with our clients, and with all refugees who would be harmed by this horrific policy.”

“For more than four decades, the United States has honored its commitment to refugees by providing safety, stability, and a lawful path forward. This policy betrays that promise – it attempts to transform a routine administrative process into a tool for mass arrest and detention of people who followed the law, were thoroughly vetted, and were admitted into our country to rebuild their lives here,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “The Constitution does not permit the government to jail people without statutory authority or due process. We are asking the court to stop this unlawful policy immediately, and will continue to use every legal tool available to protect people from the cruelty of this administration.”

“The Trump administration is clear it intends to take its terror campaign against refugees in Minnesota national,” said Ghita Schwarz, Senior Director of U.S. Litigation at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). “Refugees were brought to this country by the U.S. government to restart their lives in safety and are now being threatened with mandatory arrest and detention. All Americans should be concerned about this lawless push to imprison people who have done nothing wrong.”

Plaintiffs argue that the policy violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, was issued without required notice-and-comment rulemaking, is arbitrary and capricious, and violates both the Fourth Amendment, which protects people, including noncitizens physically present in the U.S., from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Fifth Amendment, which protects people from deprivation of liberty without due process of law.

The complaint also describes how the policy has already led to arrests and detentions of refugees, separating families and disrupting communities. Plaintiffs warn that without immediate court intervention, lawfully admitted refugees remain at risk of arrest and prolonged detention despite having done nothing wrong.

The filings explain that the statute governing refugee adjustment of status does not authorize detention and that the government’s interpretation would upend decades of consistent practice. The lawsuit seeks to vacate the challenged memoranda, halt their enforcement nationwide, and restore longstanding legal protections for refugees.

The case is Jean A. et al v. Noem, and the legal team at Democracy Forward includes Kali Schellenberg, Erez Reuveni, Jennie Kneedler, Ryan Cooper, Steven Bressler, and Robin Thurston.

IINE is committed to fighting for the rights and safety of refugees, but we need your support. Please consider making a donation today.

“I Started Living When I Came Here”: A Senegalese Refugee Finds Freedom in Boston

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Boston, Client Stories, Employment Support, Refugee Resettlement.

Pride, For the First Time

Ousmane marching at his first-ever Pride Parade in 2024

In the summer of 2024, Ousmane participated in his first-ever Pride Parade. Wearing a t-shirt with a rainbow-colored flame, he marched through Boston’s streets shoulder-to-shoulder with a boisterous group of IINE staff, volunteers, and clients waving mini-rainbow flags. Throngs of revelers lined their route and greeted them with cheers and smiles.

This was a very new experience for Ousmane. In 2015, he had been forced to flee his native Senegal as a refugee. “Anyone who knows Senegal knows that homosexuality isn’t allowed,” he explains. “It led to a very difficult moment with my family. Also with the population.”

A Difficult Moment

After escaping Senegal, Ousmane spent many years in a refugee camp in Mauritania. There he met another challenge. The country only abolished slavery in 1980, and Black Mauritanians and immigrants continue to experience racial discrimination and marginalization. Facing dual prejudices, Ousmane found he “couldn’t go out at certain times. I was not able to work some jobs. I struggled.”

Life got easier when Ousmane met Yaya.  

“Yaya is a great person. The thing is, I love him, and he loves me. I encountered a lot of pain there, but I could deal with that pain because of the love I had from him.” 

The bond they forged felt lifesaving. It also made the news for which Ousmane had been longing for years –that he had been approved to resettle in the U.S. as a refugee—feel bittersweet. 
 
“The separation was not easy. Yaya thought that when I left for the U.S., I was going to leave him, so it was a very difficult moment. But I couldn’t stay, because that time was too difficult for me.” 

Ousmane believed in his heart that their separation was temporary. He would work hard, establish himself, send Yaya money when he could, and wait for his partner to join him. So, he traveled to Boston alone; fortunately, he was not alone when he arrived.

First Days

“Coming into a place where you don’t understand the language and everything, that is not easy. But I had the [IINE] office that was also helping me.” 

IINE’s team was waiting for Ousmane when he arrived at Logan Airport and drove him to an apartment that had been furnished with donations from volunteers. As soon as he could, he enrolled in IINE English classes and began workforce orientation. Between classes and appointments, he remembers sitting on a bench in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood and marveling at the variety of people he would see bustling around on their way to work or school.  

“That was my first impression, and even now, when I have time, I just sit there and do the same thing, remembering my first days.” 

Finding Work

As he set out to join the workforce himself, he had a strong advocate in Sara, his IINE Employment Case Specialist.  

“IINE helped me a lot, and Sara helped me in so many ways. Anything I need, she will talk with me and help me. There were times I couldn’t find a job, but she went with me everywhere, trying to get one. She’s a good person and I thank her.”

For her part, Sara says she has been inspired by Ousmane’s incredible drive and persistence. 
 
“Ousmane may have the most strength of character of anyone I’ve ever met,” she says. “He came to Boston with a laser-sharp vision of the life he wanted, and it’s been absolutely incredible watching him go after that life despite the innumerable obstacles that lay in his way. He wasn’t able to safely live with the person he loved, so he found a way to move across the world. His first employer didn’t allow him the day off to attend his first Pride parade, so he found a new employer and teammates who love and respect him.” 

The new employer, a Mediterranean restaurant in Boston, was also impressed enough with Ousmane to go to great lengths to help him succeed.  
 
“He never had the chance to learn to read,” Sara explains, “but his manager was so taken with his work ethic and sense of humor that she moved the entire work schedule around so he could attend nine hours of English classes with us per week. She also developed a special training system for him, and others who are just beginning in English. She decided to put him on a management track and found a more visual way for him to use the company’s management software as well.” 

Sara says that Ousmane’s success has paved the way for dozens of fellow IINE clients to join him at the restaurant in their first job in the U.S. and that he has proudly helped them with the process.  

Finding Happiness

Ousmane joined the IINE community to march in the Pride Parade again this past summer

Three years into his time in Boston, Ousmane is in a good place. “I started being happy when I came here,” he says.  

People have been welcoming to him, and he finally feels freer to be himself. Now that he has some experience in the restaurant business, he has a new goal. 
 
“I’m dreaming of having an African restaurant here for Senegalese dinners,” he says, describing a favorite rice dish with onions and fish.

Best of all, Yaya has finally joined him in Boston and found a job he loves as a dressmaker. 

“I am so happy because besides the office, it’s only Yaya I have as a family member. I’m no longer lonely. Before, when I came, I was all alone, but now I have someone to keep me company, and we have real peace.” 

• • •

Refugees and immigrants make long, difficult journeys to escape violence and rebuild their lives in the U.S. You can give them the help they need. 

“Unnecessary, Destabilizing, and Deeply Immoral”: IINE Statement on New Federal Directive to Arrest and Detain Refugees

“Unnecessary, Destabilizing, and Deeply Immoral”: IINE Statement on New Federal Directive to Arrest and Detain Refugees

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Advocacy, Blog, Press Releases/Statements, Refugee Resettlement.

The latest directive issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) marks an alarming escalation in the federal government’s attack on refugee families, who have already endured immense trauma due to persecution in their homelands and who have undergone the most exhaustive security vetting of any immigrant group admitted to the United States.  

The federal administration has authorized ICE to arrest and detain any refugee who has been in the United States for one year and has not yet adjusted to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. This requirement is being put in place even though refugees cannot obtain LPR status until one year after their arrival in the country, and their applications are frequently subject to delays. The newly disclosed memo mandates that all refugees must “return” to DHS custody at the one-year mark for inspection and rescreening and warns that if a refugee does not voluntarily appear, ICE is required to pursue arrest and detention. The memo further asserts that a refugee’s failure to obtain LPR status is itself a basis for arrest and authorizes DHS to detain refugees for a vaguely defined “reasonable length of time.”  

This directive builds on ICE’s recent actions in Minnesota under Operation PARRIS, which has led to thousands of refugees being seized without cause, separated from their families, and detained in inhumane conditions. Our position today is the same as when Operation PARRIS first came to light: Forcing heavily vetted refugees—already granted safety and a chance to rebuild their lives in the U.S.—to undergo politically motivated reinterviews is unnecessary, destabilizing, and deeply immoral.  

Refugees who have come to see the U.S. as home, and who have become our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and friends, should not live in fear that missing paperwork, delayed adjudications, or government backlogs will result in indiscriminate and indefinite detention. The U.S. has long promised refuge to families fleeing violence and persecution. Now, that promise is being systematically dismantled. 

We call on the courts to reject this unlawful policy and on Congress to demand immediate oversight. We will continue to stand with refugee families and do everything we can to help protect their safety and rights. We thank our community for joining us in this critical fight.  

Learn more about how to get involved and support our work today. 

Yesim Interview

Q&A With Board Member Yesim Richardson

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Our Team.

In her new role on the International Institute of New England’s Board of Directors, Yesim Richardson brings decades of experience in economics. She specializes in applying economic and financial analysis to complex litigation involving securities, financial institutions, valuation, and real estate. Yesim has worked with clients in a variety of financial sectors as well as other industries, such as energy, telecommunications, high technology, and pharmaceuticals.  

We spoke with Yesim to learn more about her journey from Turkey to the U.S., how her own immigrant background inspires her support of IINE, and why she’s remaining optimistic about the future of immigration in the U.S. 

Can you share a bit about yourself?

I was born and raised in Istanbul. I grew up in a very academic family, so I knew I wanted to pursue a doctorate from a young age. I attended an American high school in Istanbul, went to college there as well, and then came to the States to receive a PhD in economics from Boston University.  

Following my PhD, I returned to Turkey and taught in academia for a while. Then I married my husband, who is from Rhode Island and whom I had met during my time in graduate school, and that brought me back to the Boston area. We have been here for the past 25+ years, and for most of that time, I’ve worked at a firm providing economic consulting for attorneys in complex business litigation.  

Tell us about your journey to the International Institute of New England.

My husband first learned about IINE a decade ago through an article in the Boston Globe. We were immediately impressed with the organization’s work and became donors. For a while, that was the extent of our involvement. Then last year, as I began preparing for retirement and my career became a bit less demanding, I decided I wanted to use my new bandwidth—and my experience as an economist—to deepen my support.  

I reached out to the IINE team, and eventually I was connected with Kristan Fitah, the Associate Director of the ESOL program in Boston. Kristan suggested I become a co-teacher of the financial literacy classes, which help refugees and immigrants to build stronger financial skills and futures. I have been really enjoying it. When I finished teaching last night, my husband noted how energized I seemed so late in the day, and it’s because of the students! It’s nice to be helpful. 

In addition to volunteering, I’ve had the opportunity to attend some of IINE’s events, including the WILLOW Luncheon and the Golden Door Award Gala, and now, I’m thrilled to be part of the board.  

What do you consider to be a board member’s most important responsibilities?

This organization has a long, successful history. As a member of the board, I see it as my responsibility to help ensure that it remains well-managed—that the impressive work and legacy continue, and that we make sound decisions for the organization and our clients.  

I’m joining at a time when immigrant support organizations, like IINE, are being met with so many new challenges. That requires a heightened level of thinking around what the best course of action is, especially in the face of so many uncertainties. I feel fortunate to be navigating this alongside such exceptional board members and leadership.  

I also think it’s important to remain optimistic. History is filled with ups and downs, so I carry hope for the long-term future of immigration in this country, and for IINE’s work.  

What connection do you feel to IINE’s mission?

I consider myself to have been a very fortunate immigrant: I came to the U.S. willingly, out of a desire to get an education, and I was already fluent in English when I arrived here. So, on the face of it, my immigration experience was not challenging. Yet even so, I felt like a fish out of water initially. Leaving behind everything and everyone you are familiar with, coming to a new environment with new social norms and codes—it almost feels like being a child again.  

I was able to adjust relatively quickly because of my circumstances, but when I think about what the refugees and immigrants IINE serves go through, I am in awe. I find that sometimes there is a sense that everyone would jump at the chance to come to this country, to leave their homeland behind for the U.S., but I think that’s a rather naive view. Even with how grateful refugees and immigrants may be to find safety here, it’s still enormously difficult to part with so much—family, friends, a job, a language, and culture.  

When I think about this, and when I think about the help IINE provides, I have a lot of respect for both our clients and the organization.  

What inspires your philanthropy? 

While Turkey is my motherland, I also feel at home in the U.S., and that has to do with how welcoming people are here. I was so impressed by how interested people were in me and where I came from when I first arrived in the U.S. There’s an openness to the world that is in the DNA of this country.  

For me, philanthropy is an opportunity to share my good luck with others—both in terms of contributing financially and also trying to pass along the warm welcome I received to new arrivals. Meeting people from all over the world teaches us that those barriers of language, religion, culture—those are all artificial, ultimately. At the end of the day, we are all human beings.  

IINE’s Board of Directors includes corporate and community leaders from across New England. View our members and leadership team here.

Why They Give: Ellen Sullivan Donor Profile

Why They Give: An Interview with IINE Donor Ellen Sullivan

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Donor Profile.

Our donors help ensure that refugees and immigrants receive the support they need to rebuild their lives in New England, and in turn, strengthen our culture, economy, and community. In our Why They Give series, we talk with them to learn more about their connection to our mission and what inspires their support. 

In our latest installment, Ellen Sullivan shares how a career in philanthropy, her admiration for IINE’s mission, and a serendipitous raffle win led to her becoming a dedicated monthly donor.  

Can you share a bit about yourself?

I grew up in Connecticut, and came to Boston to attend Boston College in the 1980s. After a couple of years as a volunteer teacher in Central America, I settled in Boston in the early 1990s and began a career in educational administration, first at Harvard University, then Boston College, and now Phillips Academy Andover.  

As I was just starting my career, I had the opportunity to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Boston, where I served as the chair of the grantwriting committee. I actually did not know a thing about grantwriting at the time, but that was what was needed, so I took a course at the Harvard Summer School and learned how to make a compelling case for support. Within a couple of years, my little committee of volunteer grantwriters raised $250,000 from modest grants of $5,000 and $10,000. It was incredibly satisfying to be able to make such a significant contribution to an organization that was poised to be of such great service to our community. 

Why is philanthropy important to you?

Philanthropy matters to me because it can make a profound difference in a community. There are examples on a global scale, like GAVI, the Global Vaccine Alliance, that came out of the World Economic Forum gathering at Davos in 2000. Over the last twenty-five years, GAVI has helped to vaccinate more than 1.2 billion children in 78 lower-income countries, preventing more than 20.6 million future deaths. 

And of course, there are more modest efforts, like my own early forays into grantwriting for Habitat for Humanity Boston, which enabled the organization to move from constructing one home a year in the early 1990s to constructing several homes each year by the mid-1990s. Philanthropy is a way to convey one’s investment in the local community, one’s belief in the value of human connection. 

How did you first learn about IINE?

I have known about IINE for many years, having followed with admiration the organization’s success in supporting immigrants and immigrant communities in New England. But IINE came most viscerally to mind in the summer of 2024, as we read in the Boston Globe of Haitian families sleeping on the floor of Logan Airport, as there were no shelter beds available to them. IINE was on the front lines of providing support and assistance, and I felt called to help in these efforts.    

It actually started with my winning a raffle at the Cape Cod Senior Softball League banquet – my husband is a regular player, and I remember turning to him at the banquet in the summer of 2024 and saying, “If we win this raffle, we are giving the winnings to IINE to support their work.”   

To our astonishment, we won the raffle, and I promptly donated our winnings, about $1,000, to IINE. And I should hasten to add that, as a fundraiser, I fully expected someone from IINE to contact me, not only to thank me for the donation but to ask if I would be willing to get involved further. I am delighted to say that the ace team at IINE did just that, and I immediately became a monthly donor.   

What connection do you feel to IINE’s mission of creating opportunities for refugees and immigrants in New England?

IINE has such a proud and admired history of supporting immigrants and immigrant communities in New England for over a century, and fully deserves the support of all of us in New England who believe in the power of opportunity. 

Economists have been reporting for generations that immigrants benefit the US economy by driving GDP growth, contributing billions in taxes, filling critical labor shortages in healthcare and agriculture—among other fields—fostering innovation, and creating jobs. 

Anyone involved in the medical system as a patient or advocate for a patient knows that more than 25% of doctors in America are immigrants, and about 40% of home health aides are immigrants. Without these dedicated and hardworking professionals, who would be caring for America’s seniors? 

The Catholic faith tradition that I grew up in calls us to “works of mercy” that include feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger. These are inherently Christian—as in Christ-like—things to do.

What do you wish more people understood about refugees and immigrants? 

I wish more people stopped to consider the important contributions that refugees and immigrants make every day in American communities. 

In Vermont, 94% of dairy farms hire migrant workers to jobs that are otherwise difficult to fill, and roughly half of the farm labor force in that state is Mexican and Guatemalan immigrants. Without their contributions, Vermont’s $3.6 billion dairy industry would be in grave jeopardy. 

My mother lives in a senior living community on Cape Cod, and over 70% of the health aides in her community are immigrants. Every time I take her to a medical appointment or to the hospital, we are received and cared for by medical professionals from every corner of the earth. I shudder to think who would care for the health needs of the elders in our society without these dedicated immigrants. 

IINE can only provide much-needed services to refugees and immigrants thanks to the support of our generous donors. There are many different ways to give. Learn more here: Donate funds.

IINE Statement on Court Ruling Blocking Revocation of TPS for Haiti

IINE Statement on Court Ruling Blocking Revocation of TPS for Haiti

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Advocacy, Blog, Haitian Immigrants, Press Releases/Statements.

We are deeply grateful to U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes for blocking the federal administration’s attempt to end Temporary Protected Status for over 350,000 Haitians living in the U.S. In doing so, Judge Reyes recognizes the rights of our Haitian community members and the life-threatening conditions they would be exposed to if forced to return.

At IINE, we see daily how essential Haitian immigrants are to our communities, our workforce, and our country’s future, especially here in Massachusetts. As Governor Maura Healey notes, not only does this ruling provide relief for Haitian families in the Commonwealth, “It also protects against a harmful disruption to the Massachusetts’ economy, as Haitian TPS holders are an integral part of…the health care sector. If President Trump had his way, thousands of nurses, home health aides, and other essential employees would not have been able to work tomorrow, and patients and families who are dependent on caregivers would have suffered.”

In recent years IINE has helped more than 13,000 Haitian immigrants to access food, healthcare, and shelter, grow their English language skills, find and advance in their jobs, and receive professional legal support. As these families have put down roots here, they have contributed immensely to our economy and culture. They deserve the safety, stability, and dignity this ruling upholds.

We will continue to join leaders at the federal, state, and city levels in advocating for our Haitian community members, because their protection must last as long as the dangers they face.

Remembering Bob Baines

Remembering Bob Baines, Former Manchester Mayor and Friend of IINE

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog.

Late last month, the International Institute of New England (IINE) lost one of our greatest patrons and friends, former Manchester Mayor Bob Baines, who passed away at the age of 79.  

Bob at the 2020 Bob Baines Blarney Breakfast

For many years, Bob hosted a “Bob Baines Blarney Breakfast” each March. The event raised funds for several charities, including the International Institute of New England’s Shirley Brulotte Fund. The fund, named for Bob’s late sister, helped hundreds of refugee and immigrant families make rental payments, buy food and clothing, and navigate their early days and months in Manchester. 

Bob believed deeply that new Americans are critical to the growth and vitality of Manchester and the entire country. He was proud that Manchester welcomed people of all faiths and backgrounds from around the world, and he celebrated the city’s great diversity. 

At his core, Bob was an educator. He was much beloved, both as a schoolteacher and as a principal. Countless former students of Bob have supported IINE over the years, and there is no doubt they were moved to do so because of Bob’s example.  

Bob cared about every resident of Manchester. He leaves a legacy of kindness and an example of how to lead a full and joyous life in service of others.  

The International Institute of New England is grateful to have known Bob and to have been a beneficiary of his generosity and talent. We will miss him dearly.