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Auteur : Danielle Gauthier

Q&A With Board Member Zoltan Csimma

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Blog, Notre équipe.

Zoltan Csimma brings more than 45 years of senior leadership experience in technology, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies to his role on the International Institute of New England’s Board of Directors. A native of Hungary, Zoltan retired as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Genzyme Corporation, and currently serves on the board of Harvard Biomedical Science Careers Program.

We spoke with Zoltan to learn more about his journey to the U.S., how the experience inspired his support of IINE and fellow refugees, and why he believes IINE is well-positioned to endure these tumultuous political times.

Pouvez-vous nous parler un peu de vous ?

I have had the good fortune of living in Europe as a child and experiencing life on both coasts of the U.S. as an adult.

A photo from the USS Stewart (L), the ship on which Zoltan and his family arrived in the U.S., and their view of the Statue of Liberty (R) as they approached Ellis Island

I was born in Budapest, Hungary. My family and I were displaced to Germany before coming to the U.S. as refugees when I was 10 years old. I can still remember our boat pulling into Ellis Island and the sight of the Statue of Liberty appearing in the fog.

Zoltan’s family at their apartment in Sunnyvale, California, where they lived during their first year in the U.S.

We immediately boarded a train and headed west. My father, who was the head of Engineering of Hungary’s largest railroad company before the start of World War II, started as a machine operator in the U.S. and finally found an engineering job at a large manufacturing company in California. Despite his expertise, he struggled to advance. I remember a time when he tried to get a promotion, and his bosses laughed at the request. That really shaped how I ended up thinking about my own career—the idea of fairness, of equitable treatment and opportunity, really stuck with me.

My decades-long career was spent in high-tech and biotechnology. My last corporate role was as Chief Human Resources Officer at Genzyme Corporation, which at the time was the world’s fifth-largest biotech company, with over 15,000 employees across 90 countries. I was with Genzyme for 11 years until it was acquired by Sanofi, a major French pharmaceutical company. Since leaving the corporate world, I have focused primarily on serving on nonprofit boards of directors, executive coaching, and mentoring.

Beyond my career, I am proud of my wife Cristina, who is also an immigrant, my family, my heritage, my service as a Captain in the U.S. Army, and my U.S. citizenship.

Parlez-nous de votre parcours à l'Institut international de la Nouvelle-Angleterre.

I have served on the IINE Board of Directors since 2003, having twice stepped down due to term limits but returning as soon as I was eligible. I was deeply drawn to IINE’s mission to help refugees and other immigrants, and especially the focus on providing support in their early years here, given my childhood experiences as a displaced person (DP).

I have always found IINE’s work inspiring and interesting. I had the ‘fun’ experience of chairing the board during Trump’s first administration. During that time, I really saw the strength of IINE’s leadership and the incredible commitment of the staff. That is visible today, too.

Quelles sont, selon vous, les principales responsabilités d'un membre de conseil d'administration ?

Well-functioning boards are composed of members who are aligned with the organization’s mission and bring relevant experience to support that mission. Ideally, the members have a range of expertise, whether it be political acumen, fundraising knowledge, HR experience, etc. Their primary responsibility is to ensure financial discipline and compliance with legal obligations.

It’s also important to note that board members should be engaged but not overly intrusive. They must place trust in the CEO and executive team to manage the organization’s operations.

Additionally, as all nonprofit organizations require financial support, it’s important that board members both contribute personally and help secure necessary funding.

Qu'est-ce qui vous enthousiasme le plus dans l'avenir de l'IINE ?

I am a strong believer that the diversity of our population is what makes the U.S. so powerful and a world leader. A country cannot stay creative and innovative unless it opens itself to new perspectives.

IINE’s 100+-year history reflects the evolving cultural and political landscape of our country. I am excited by the organization’s evolution. The last decade has shown how quickly circumstances can shift and how vital adaptability is for continued success. This adaptability has ensured IINE’s survival and its ability to provide the best support to immigrants, who are an incredibly important part of our country’s growth.

The U.S. swings in very big arcs politically, so I have to believe we’ll swing back again. And in the meantime, IINE will continue to provide invaluable services to members of our community who deeply need them.

What inspires your philanthropy? 

Frankly, I am not fond of the term “philanthropy” or the concept of “giving back”—it feels too pretentious. I prefer the concept of giving to activities that resonate with my interests and values, and I believe we all have a responsibility to support our communities, using the resources available to us.

Giving to IINE feels more critical than ever right now. By openly supporting refugees and immigrants, we are making our mark on history.

Le conseil d'administration de l'IINE est composé de dirigeants d'entreprises et de collectivités de toute la Nouvelle-Angleterre. Consultez nos membres et notre équipe de direction ici.

IINE Statement on the Tragic Shooting of National Guard Members in Washington, DC

IINE Statement on the Tragic Shooting of National Guard Members in Washington, DC

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Défense des intérêts, Blog, Communiqués de presse/déclarations.

The International Institute of New England (IINE) is saddened by the tragic shooting of two members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, D.C., on November 26, 2025. We mourn the passing of a young member of the Guard who volunteered to protect and defend her country. The individual who committed this heinous act must be held accountable for their actions.  

IINE remains committed to partnering with political leaders to safely welcome immigrants and refugees to our country. We urge leaders and community members to denounce all hate-filled attacks on people because of their race, religion, or national origin, and to advocate for sound, effective procedures that ensure those who come to the U.S. meet the comprehensive requirements of our refugee and asylee laws.  

Throughout the past four years and even before that, IINE and other resettlement agencies across the country have welcomed and supported Afghan nationals, including many who were allies to our government during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. These allies and their families are among some of the most heavily vetted immigrants to come to the U.S. We have seen them fill jobs in industries short on labor, learn English, take active roles in civic and faith groups across the country, and, in many cases, become U.S. citizens. They have become our neighbors, co-workers, and friends. 

In response to the tragic shooting, the federal government has chosen to initiate vague vetting policies, which give U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials the discretion to deny individuals a Green Card or Lawful Permanent Resident status because of their country of origin. Rather than making our nation safer for all, this response creates fear and division, weakens due process, and wrongly uses this senseless tragedy to further a xenophobic agenda. It dishonors not only those who lawfully seek to enter our country in search of a better life but also those brave men and women who voluntarily join our armed services to protect us all. It makes us neither more safe nor more free. 

10 Ways U.S. Immigration Policy Is Harming Our Communities and Economy

10 Ways U.S. Immigration Policy Is Harming Our Communities and Economy

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Défense des intérêts, Blog, Explicatif, À L'AFFICHE.

In October of 2024, in the run-up to the election, IINE published a blog post entitled “What if the U.S. said no to immigrants?,” outlining 10 ways extreme immigration restrictions and crackdowns would negatively affect us all. Many of the U.S. immigration policies we feared have since been enacted, including mass deportation without due process, the ending of humanitarian protections, the suspension of the refugee program, and more. 
 
Here are 10 ways restrictive immigration policies are affecting your daily life and our country as a whole: 

1. Food is getting even more expensive.

Immigrants represent about 21% of all workers in the U.S. food industry, playing large roles in everything from farming and food production, to distribution, to grocery wholesale and retail. In October, the U.S. Department of Labor warned that the cutoff of immigrant workers is now threatening “the stability of domestic food production and prices for U.S. consumers” and that U.S.-born workers are not stepping in to fill positions with newly created and increasing vacancies . Further, studies show that revoking work authorization for 500,000 immigrants who came to the U.S legally through humanitarian programs could raise prices as much as 14% by 2028. 

2. Medical care is becoming harder to get. 

About 26% of doctors and surgeons and 41% of home health care aids are immigrants. Altogether, immigrants represent about 1 in 4 of all direct healthcare providers. As the U.S. population ages, the need for care is increasing while practitioners are retiring. Now, restrictive immigration policies are shrinking the healthcare workforce and worsening staffing shortages. Thousands of immigrant health professionals are losing their authorization to work. Many others are simply afraid to show up, and potential new health professionals are facing new fees and delays on visas and credentials. Healthcare employers are already reporting reduced capacity and fear that if trends continue, workforce shortages could cause vital facilities to close.

3. Our country’s celebrated diversity is under threat. 

The blending of diverse ideas, languages, artistic expressions, and traditions has made U.S. culture unique and admired throughout the world. Our culture is now under threat. Legally sanctioned racial profiling is increasingly used in immigration enforcement. A campaign of fear is threatening immigrant businesses and canceling cultural festivals. The word “diversity” itself is being used as an excuse to cancel grant funding for projects that protect minorities and promote multiculturalism. 

4. Your neighborhood is getting less safe. 

Police are reporting that “people in their communities are now afraid to send their children to school, go to a hospital for medical treatment, or report crime or otherwise assist the police because they think those actions may result in immigration enforcement action against them or a loved one.” This culture of fear makes communities less safe for all. On the federal level, the Department of Homeland Security has diverted thousands of agents from vital missions, like combating child trafficking and black market sales of Iranian oil used to finance terrorism, to instead focus on immigration enforcement, even though more than 70% of people arrested since January had no criminal record.

5. Businesses are suffering.

Major U.S. industries like construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and technology are highly dependent on a mix of specialized immigrant and U.S.-born workers. In Massachusetts, immigrants staff hospitals and universities, engineering and manufacturing firms like G.E. and Raytheon, and biotech companies like Moderna and Biogen. In New Hampshire, immigrants make up 7.2% of the labor force and are especially concentrated in manufacturing, healthcare, and computer engineering.  

These industries are now reporting worker shortages and dire projections. For example, according to a recent survey, “92% of construction firms report difficulty hiring, and ~28 % of firms say immigration enforcement has directly or indirectly affected their jobsites.” The National Association of Home Builders has reported project slowdowns due to shortages of 200,000 to 400,000 workers.  

6. Our claim to the world’s best universities is at risk.

U.S. universities draw and train the best professors, researchers, and students from throughout the world and benefit immeasurably from their contributions. Boston, in particular, has been shaped in no small part by the talented and driven people who travel to the region from throughout the world to attend Harvard, M.I.T., and more than 60 other area colleges and universities. International student enrollment has now begun declining due to discriminatory vetting, the fear caused by a rash of students’ and scholars’ visas being revoked over political speech, travel bans, and uncertainty around work authorization for graduates. Because foreign students pay higher tuition, this decline not only threatens our ability to attract the best and the brightest but also puts the overall fiscal health of our universities at risk. 

7. Our economy is on pace to lose billions in tax revenue and consumer spending.

The U.S. population is rapidly aging and dwindling, and newcomers tend to be younger and have larger families. Immigrants currently account for 15% of the U.S. population, and 77% are of working age. Whether citizens or awaiting status, they are consumers, workers, and taxpayers. Reducing our immigrant population will cost us billions. 

8. Our status as a leader in innovation is under threat.

From inventing the telephone to the polio vaccine, Hollywood movies to Levi’s jeans, microprocessors to Internet search engines, U.S. immigrants have driven innovation globally. Immigrants are directly responsible for a quarter of all patents in the U.S. Now, our nation’s already limited pathways to immigration are shrinking, visa fees are skyrocketing, and scientists working in the U.S. say the hostile environment is causing them to consider leaving. 

9. We are forfeiting U.S. leadership as protectors of freedom, democracy, and the oppressed.

Closing our doors on people fleeing persecution, tyranny, violence, and environmental catastrophes violates our humanitarian values and, in many cases, international law. By blocking the right to apply for asylum, revoking humanitarian protections, arresting immigrants without due process, and abandoning over 100,000 people already approved for refugee status—including Afghans who supported the U.S. military abroad—the U.S. is sending dangerous messages to current and potential allies and forfeiting our ability to advocate for freedom from persecution throughout the world. 

10. Millions of U.S. families are being torn apart.

About 1,000 children who were intentionally separated from their families under the 2018 “zero tolerance” policy are still yet to be reunited. Today, an even more extreme approach to federal immigration restriction and enforcement is intentionally tearing more families apart. Five and a half million American children currently live with at least one undocumented family member, and thousands are now at risk of losing parents to detention or deportation. Meanwhile, millions of families remain divided across borders as family-reunification and refugee programs are suspended.

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The good news is that these harmful policies are increasingly unpopular. We can change direction—but it will take work and numbers. Together, we need to advocate at every level to be the land of opportunity, diversity, and refuge we want to be.  

Meet David: A Young Venezuelan Refugee Building Computers and a Brighter Future in New Hampshire

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Blog, Témoignages de clients, Manchester, Réinstallation des réfugiés, Programmes pour la jeunesse.

Mirasol arrived in New Hampshire with her family last January, just days before the U.S. refugee program was suspended. Joanna, one of her case specialists at IINE, remembers asking Mirasol what made her want to come here during such a politically fraught time. 

“We did it for David,” Mirasol said. 

David, her son, was fourteen when they arrived. In a meeting with the family last fall, Joanna asked him, “So, are you getting ready for high school?” He responded that he had spent the summer building a computer in his bedroom. She was a little bit stunned.  

A Passion for Computers 

Computers have always been David’s passion. He speaks excellent English, often translating for his parents, and says that while English was a required course in elementary school, what really motivated him to study the language was how useful he found it to be when working with computers.  

Growing up in Colombia, where his family first lived after being forced to flee Venezuela, David didn’t have a computer at home. This was hard because a computer would have meant connection to the wider world—including baseball. David had played first base in Venezuela, but found that his favorite sport was not as popular in Bogotá.  

David particularly wished he had access to a computer when 2020 rolled around.  

“COVID-19 put me into a situation in which I was alone in my bedroom without doing anything and with only a cell phone, mostly just to call my parents,” he says. But as much as he would have loved to play games and watch sports on those long days alone, he feared a computer would be too extravagant a purchase, so he never asked for one. 

“Natural For Me”

David’s first impression of Manchester, New Hampshire was the cold. 

“It was a shock! I never saw snow before that, so it was funny—the first five days I was so impatient to grab the snow that I would literally grab it without any protections and come back to the house with frozen hands!” 

Another pleasant surprise was the welcome he received from his new community: “There are many friendly people here.”  

David was also grateful to have the support of IINE. “From the start, from the transport from the airport to here, and then the appointments for each document that we need, it was very helpful.” 

IINE helped David’s parents find work. His father got his U.S. driver’s license, and the family was able to get a car. That meant David could get to Best Buy and pore over consumer electronics.  

His family now had a laptop, but it was an older model, and David quickly discovered that it would not accommodate too many upgrades. He knew he still couldn’t afford a top-of-line computer, but after watching hours of YouTube videos, he thought of a different solution: perhaps he could make one himself. 

“I started learning about the market, Nvidia, Intel, the different sizes of monitors, how the technology works, the transistor, the vehicle, the parts that make the motherboard consumption bigger or lower. I saw so many videos about building PCs that when I did it for the first time, it was natural for me.” 

He was proud of his success and documented the process on video. It was a thrill every time he was able to run a new application or play a new computer game. He wasn’t the only one who was proud. 
 
“My parents didn’t have the knowledge of how advanced I am in the matter, so, it was impressive to them to build a computer from zero.” 

“He’s Really Smart”

Joanna says that when David told her that he’d built a personal computer in his bedroom, she “asked him if his school had a robotics club or anything like that. He said he didn’t know. Then I remembered that Tram’s daughter goes to a public charter school that has a 3D printer. When I told her about him, she was like, We’ve got to get David into this school!” 

Tram is the Senior Program Manager of IINE Language Services and works with Joanna at IINE’s offices in Manchester. It was easy for her to relate to David. Tram’s parents were refugees from Vietnam, and she attended public school in Manchester when she was David’s age.  

“Joanna came to me and said, Hey, this kid’s building a computer, and I said, Wow, that’s pretty amazing. Is this legit? He’s really building a computer—or is this kid like taking apart a toaster oven? But she said, He’s actually really building a computer. He’s really smart. He’s won awards. I have the certificates.” 

Tram was excited. 

“My children go to the Spark Academy for Science and Design, and the school has relationships with advanced manufacturers in our area,” Tram explains. “We have a lot of tech-related industries, but New Hampshire also has a rapidly aging workforce that’s going to see a lot of retirements in the next few years. So, the school is trying to quickly prepare people for those careers.”  

Tram knew enrolling at Spark Academy could be a life-changing opportunity for David. 

“During freshman year, students can learn Computer Aided Design. They have a 3D printer, a robotic dog, and they’re in the VEX robotics program. It’s actually part of Manchester Community College, and in your third and fourth years, you can take enough credits to graduate with an associate’s degree. That meant we could really help David find a career that could be life-sustaining.” 

Tram asked Joanna if she could meet with David to get a sense of his English proficiency. When she did, she was thoroughly impressed. Her next step was to reach out to the school’s headmaster. 

A Foot in the Door

The news wasn’t good: enrollment for the year was closed. But Tram was undeterred. To get David in the door, she asked if her daughter could give him a tour. When the headmaster agreed, Tram met with David’s parents to explain the situation and asked if she could try to arrange a meeting for them with the headmaster on the day David took the tour.  

“The idea was just for them to be able to ask questions. To learn how they could best prepare David to enroll in the future,” she says.  

Everyone agreed to meet. Before they did, Tram asked for her own one-on-one with the headmaster.  

“He kind of knew what I do already. But I sat down and I gave him IINE’s mission statement, told him what the world looks like that our clients live in, and suggested that if we could just give one student a shot, and if he was successful, imagine what that could do for our whole community.” 

Then it was David’s turn. 

“I showed him the videos [of building the computer] and I showed him my grades, because they were good. A’s in all [classes].” 

David says the headmaster asked how hard he’d had to work to get those grades, and he had to admit that the success had come easily to him. 

“He said, Now you know, here I would make you suffer to get them.” 

This only made David more excited. “I love a challenge,” he says with a smile.  

A High-Tech Future

David says that when his mom learned he would be attending Spark, she became “so excited about that she started crying in the room. That was beautiful for me.” 

As he begins to explore, he has lots of ideas for where the future might take him. 

“I don’t have a very specific goal—maybe aerospace engineering, or maybe computer engineering, because one of my dreams is to work for Advanced Micro Devices—one of the biggest companies that makes PC parts like the microprocessors and graphics cards.” 

There is one goal that he’s clear on. 

“To make my parents happy. Because they’ve helped me out so much in every way. One of my goals is to make them proud of me.” 

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Les réfugiés et les immigrants entreprennent des voyages longs et difficiles pour échapper à la violence et reconstruire leur vie aux États-Unis. Vous pouvez leur apporter l'aide dont ils ont besoin. 

With the current political environment, it feels even more critical to support immigrants. We need immigrants, and they deserve our help.

“With the current political environment, it feels even more critical”: IINE Donors on Why They Give

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Blog, Profil du donateur.

As we near the end of an especially challenging year for our refugee and immigrant neighbors, we at IINE are deeply grateful for our community of supporters. Since January, we have seen changes in federal policy close legal immigration pathways, revoke immigrants’ ability to legally stay and work in the U.S., limit their access to food and healthcare, and instill widespread fear and uncertainty.  

In response, our donors have stepped up. Their support helps ensure that we can continue to fight for the rights and protection of the thousands of refugees and immigrants in our care—and that New England remains a welcoming community, rich with opportunity for all.  

Read on to hear from IINE community members on what compels them to give.  

With the current political environment, it feels even more critical to support immigrants. We need immigrants, and they deserve our help. No matter what comes, we are committed to continuing our support.

Nancy Van Zant, Long-time Supporter

IINE understands the dignity in achieving self-sufficiency and being able to pursue one’s goals, and so our support extends beyond the initial resettlement to ensure refugees and immigrants have a chance to learn English, gain new skills, pursue careers, and gain citizenship. I think this focus on both immediate needs and long-term success is really critical. 

Tuan Ha-Ngoc, Board Member

In today’s climate of intolerance and narrow-mindedness…I feel that organizations like IINE are vitally important. I am happy that IINE continues to provide services for people coming to the U.S. to find safety and improve their lives. It is important to see people as human beings and not as ‘other.’ Thank you for the work you do to help people in need.

Anonymous Donor

These days, I’m thinking a lot about what I can do to help the populations who are being disproportionately affected by the current presidential administration. I can write checks, I can support lawyers and advocates, and I can attend protests, and through organizations like IINE, I can have a direct impact. That feels important.

Leigh Bivings, Leadership Council Member

I first came to the U.S. in 1996. It wasn’t until 2013 that I became a citizen. Those 17 years in between were incredibly frustrating – having to constantly change my status, travel to renew visas, and hope that I wouldn’t be denied for some bureaucratic issue. There was a real lack of security.

Compared to IINE’s clients, however, my path was very easy. Our clients face so much instability. [Supporting] IINE is an opportunity to support refugees and immigrants in their journeys, to hopefully ease some of their worries once they arrive in the U.S. I am very fortunate to be in a position where I immigrated and have been able to establish myself. It feels important to give back to the next wave of immigrants.

Natalya Belonozhko, Board Member

The true spirit of America, unaffected by political winds, shines through in helping refugees – thank you.

Damaris Tyler, Donor

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Refugees and immigrants come to the U.S. after enduring unimaginable hardships. You can give them the help they need to rebuild their lives here. 

How Does the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program Work?

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Blog, Explicatif.

An Explainer

According to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, by the end of June 2025, there were nearly 42.5 million refugees in the world – a number that, devastatingly, continues to grow rapidly due to conflicts and violence, natural disasters, famine, and persecution. These individuals have no choice but to leave their homes to find safety and a new start elsewhere. But what does the resettlement process actually look like for refugees who come to the U.S.? In our latest blog, we unpack frequently asked questions about the U.S. refugee resettlement program.  

First, what is a refugee?

Refugees  leave their home countries and are unable or unwilling to return because of  a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. 

Those who obtain the legal status of “refugee” are given protections under international laws and conventions. They can live and work legally and receive federal benefits and lifesaving support from agencies like IINE. The determination is made by an official entity such as a government or the UN Refugee Agency before the journey is made to a new country. In the U.S., refugees can join the workforce and have pathways to become lawful permanent residents and eventually citizens. Learn more about the different terms used to describe people who cross borders in our blog. 

What does the U.S. refugee resettlement process entail?

The U.S. vetting process to determine whether someone qualifies as a refugee is extensive and vigorous, often lasting up to two years. These are the 11 steps from application to admission: 

Source: World Relief

Why does the U.S. have a refugee resettlement program?

Beyond the humanitarian motives, there are strategic reasons the U.S. established a formal refugee resettlement program in 1980 with bi-partisan congressional support, which continues to this day.  

Resettlement is a diplomatic strategy of the U.S. government. By continuing to welcome and resettle refugees, the U.S. models fulfillment of the expectation that countries together create refuge for forcibly displaced people, either through offering neighboring asylum, hosting refugee camps, or admitting and integrating refugees into their communities. 

While not a stated purpose of the federal resettlement program, there are strong economic benefits for local communities that receive refugees. Many areas of the U.S., particularly New England, have growing workforce shortages and a critical need for workers. According to the Massachusetts Department of Economic Research, by 2030, the number of jobs across the Commonwealth is expected to grow 21% yet the workforce will expand just 1.5%. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, there are currently approximately three unfilled jobs for each unemployed worker, according to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. Refugees who join the U.S. workforce enter all fields, contribute to the local and federal tax base, purchase homes, and start businesses. Like nearly all newcomers to the U.S., they are eager to work and contribute to the economy. A National Bureau of Economic Research study showed that over a 20-year period, refugees who enter the country between the ages of 18 and 45 pay on average $21,000 more in taxes than they receive in public benefits.  

How many refugees does the U.S. resettle every year?

Since 1975, the U.S. has admitted more than 3.3 million refugees, an average of 80,000 per year. 

Under U.S. law, the president has the authority to determine the number of refugees the United States will admit each year. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017), President Obama raised the admission ceiling to 110,000 to respond to a humanitarian crisis that had driven the number of refugees to the highest levels since the end of World War II. Once President Trump took office, however, his administration suspended the refugee program for four months and drastically reduced the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. He went on to lower the refugee admissions ceiling to 45,000 in FY18, 30,000 in FY19, and 18,000 in FY20, the lowest refugee admissions numbers in U.S. history. President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to welcoming and supporting refugees, increasing the admissions ceiling to 125,000, the highest target in U.S. history. 

In 2025, President Trump suspended the refugee program once again. Read our statement calling for a humane and strategic refugee program here. 

How can I help refugees who have been resettled to the U.S.?

Financial support is the U.S. resettlement providers’ number one need. The process of admitting refugees is managed by the federal government but refugee resettlement services are sub-contracted to local agencies and only partially federally funded. By offering your financial support, you play a critical role in securing resources for your local organization and ensuring that refugees find hope, safety, and a brighter future in our communities. 

Ali Blog Post

“A Journey of Hope”: In Massachusetts, an Afghan Refugee Builds a Future in Biotech

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Réfugiés afghans, Blog, Témoignages de clients, Aide à l'emploi, Lowell, Réinstallation des réfugiés.

Activism in Afghanistan

Ali grew up in Afghanistan during the Civil War—a tumultuous time where his mother would carry him “under her chest, protecting from the bullets flying around.” Ali lost several loved ones who bravely fought against the Taliban’s oppressive rule. It’s these hardships that inspired his educational and career goals: “I always wanted to make a social impact and change the environment.”

As a young man, Ali decided to pursue a sociology degree while pushing for social reform. His efforts included helping fellow Afghans who were targeted for their activism; working with the U.S. government on projects to empower Afghan women across the country, including through economic partnerships and trainings on how to advocate for their rights; supporting Afghanistan’s peace negotiation team; and advocating for the 2250 resolution on Youth, Peace and Security. 

“Young people can change the discourse of conflict,” Ali says of this work. “The people who are mostly fighting together on the battlefields are the young people, so if we want to bring peace to the world or make social change, we have to invest in young people instead of investing in harm and conflict.” 

The Taliban Takeover

When the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, Ali saw much of the progress he had worked for begin to recede quickly. His heart broke when the women in his sociology classes were expelled to comply with new laws preventing their education.  

“Everything changed for so many Afghans because the collapse of a political system is not just the collapse of a political system, but it is also the collapse of the people’s routines, their lives, and everything.” 

Like the people he had been helping, Ali was now targeted for his activism and was forced to leave his home to seek safety. Thankfully, the U.S. refugee resettlement program was there for him. 

Landing in Lowell

Starting life as a refugee in Lowell reminded Ali of his own work with clients back in Afghanistan. He was trying to help them stay hopeful and be resilient, and now, “it was a time in which I had to be resilient myself because I had to start everything from scratch here in the U.S.” 

He arrived with nothing but a small suitcase and knowing no one. Fortunately, the IINE team was there to greet him. “From the time I arrived here, one of the IINE volunteers helped me to get to the home where I live right now,” he says, and an IINE Career Navigator “helped me to find my first job in the U.S.,” an entry-level job in medical manufacturing. Deeper than that, “It was really peace of mind and comfort and strength that I got from IINE, instead of just barely struggling by myself…Those are the things that I think fundamentally change the life of people.” 

Pursuing New Goals

As Ali began to adjust to life in Lowell, he found community, “There are wonderful, wonderful people I met here.” He was gratified to learn that there was a sizable community of Afghans in his neighborhood, including fellow clients at IINE. He began volunteering his time to help them.  

Meanwhile, Ali set his sights on advancing in his career. He quickly used his newly gained experience in medical manufacturing to land a new job as a Process Technician at a major pharmaceutical company. He found that the work suited him, and the company was supportive.  

To eventually progress at his new company, he would need an advanced degree in engineering. Even though he had been studying sociology in Afghanistan, this idea was exciting to him—and Ali was eager to resume his education. 

 “I think sociology and engineering management have a common ground…to bring change within a system or process. In sociology, you are focusing in a broader scope of studying social structures. Engineering management is more focused on smaller change…but basically, it’s all about managing change and improving processes.” 

He told his IINE Career Navigator, Ashley, “I want to go for my master’s, but I don’t know where to start. I’ve never written an app for a university here. It’s completely different then the system we have back in Afghanistan.” 

Ashley dove into the application process, helping Ali transfer credits and secure transcripts from his university in Afghanistan, get letters of recommendation from his new employer, and edit his resume. She also supported him with writing his personal statement, encouraging him to speak candidly about the hardships he had overcome. 

“The personal statement was the document we worked on the most because we wanted to make sure it showcased to the admissions team who he was as a person and how this degree would help him progress,” Ashley says. “His personal family story, how he highly values the opportunity to get an education, and his desire to help not only the people he loves but the wider community that he is a part of—these were all poignant parts of his essay.” 

A Bright Future

Ali was thrilled to be accepted to Tufts University with a partial scholarship. Ashley was thrilled, too. “One of the better parts of my job is the opportunity to see my clients’ growth and watch them reap the hard work they put into their career goals,” she says. “Ali is a wonderful example of that and has an incredibly bright future ahead!” 

For Ali, each new victory is a continuation of his life’s work. In advancing his education and career, he sees himself as carrying on the aspirations of those he left behind in Afghanistan, especially his parents, and the women and girls who are still dreaming of the opportunity to receive an education. He will never stop looking for ways to advocate for them. 

“I think it’s a common duty of all of us, I and everyone, to keep this discourse [going], to be the voice of Afghan women until they are allowed to [pursue] education. Let’s not forget them. It’s a collective responsibility to be the voice of the Afghan movement.” 

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Les réfugiés et les immigrants entreprennent des voyages longs et difficiles pour échapper à la violence et reconstruire leur vie aux États-Unis. Vous pouvez leur apporter l'aide dont ils ont besoin. 

The Call for a Humane and Strategic Refugee Program in 2026

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Défense des intérêts, Blog, Communiqués de presse/déclarations, Réinstallation des réfugiés.

UPDATE AS OF 10/31/25 

The Presidential Determination on refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2026 has been set at 7,500 people, the lowest ceiling in the history of a program that has enjoyed broad bipartisan support for more than four decades. This number is only a fraction of past refugee admission ceilings and was set without consulting with Congress, as required by law. It also fails to meet the urgency of today’s global displacement crisis. At the end of 2024, there was an estimated 123.2 million forcibly displaced people worldwide—families and individuals who have lost their homes and safety due to persecution, conflict, and natural disasters. The United States has been the world leader in receiving refugees, and throughout the past four decades Americans have witnessed refugees fill needed jobs, start businesses, raise families, run for office, and add tremendous value to American society.  

We implore the administration to open refugee admissions to people fleeing crises in Sudan, Myanmar, Venezuela, and other nations, including Afghanistan. Thousands of Afghan war allies, who supported our government and troops, are waiting to come here, and our nation owes them the opportunity to do so. 

As we respond to this disappointing determination, IINE and many of our peer organizations are navigating the loss of SNAP eligibility for refugees and immigrants with legal statuses under the federal policy changes enacted by the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Instead of further destabilizing vulnerable populations, the United States should seek to build systems that are fair, humane, and representative of the values our nation has held dear since its founding.  

Six days into the new federal fiscal year, the administration has not yet consulted with Congress or released the annual Presidential Determination for refugee admissions, a requirement of the Refugee Act of 1980. This delay coincides with reports that the administration is preparing to significantly alter U.S. refugee policy.  

We are hearing that the administration intends to cut refugee admissions to 7,500 people—the lowest ceiling in U.S. history, a small fraction of the 120,000 goal set by the UN High Commision for Refugees for the international community, and a mere 6% of our country’s 2025 target of 125,000 refugees. In addition, during remarks delivered at a panel entitled “The Global Refugee and Asylum System: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It,” the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State outlined the administration’s intent to “reframe” refugee status so it becomes “temporary, not permanent,” and that “the understanding is you should go back to your country.”   

These proposed changes to federal policy fundamentally misrepresent what it means to be a refugee and fail to advance humane, effective solutions to displacement. Federal law and treaties signed by the U.S. government define refugees as individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their home countries because of a well-founded fear of being persecuted based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. The U.S. has a rigorous, multi-year vetting process to confirm this status. The goal of resettlement is to help these individuals find a durable solution and rebuild their lives peacefully and without the risk of further displacement.  

If we abandon our identity as the world’s leader in refugee resettlement, we will put real lives at risk. When the federal administration suspended the refugee program on January 20th, it left more than a hundred thousand refugees stranded overseas—despite having completed extensive vetting and already being approved for resettlement. Today, many are still waiting in refugee camps in dire conditions, desperate for the chance to rebuild their lives in safety, and in many cases, reunite with family members they have not seen for years. 

Through decades of evidence-based practice, refugee resettlement agencies like IINE have effectively partnered with federal and local governments, employers, schools, healthcare providers, and community members. This collaborative effort helps new arrivals integrate and thrive. The initial, modest investments made by public and private partners more than pay off: refugees join the U.S. workforce, contribute to the local, state, and federal tax base, purchase homes, and start businesses at a higher rate that U.S.-born residents. They shape our culture, traditions, and society in countless ways.  

Ensuring our nation continues to welcome families and individuals in need of safety is both the smart and the right thing to do. The United States has been a haven for the persecuted since the founding of the nation, and for decades, the U.S. refugee resettlement system has functioned effectively with wide bipartisan support. Welcoming refugees reflects the best of our nation’s core values – equal treatment, non-discrimination, and human dignity – making it as vital to our national identity as it is to the refugees who find a home here.  

From the Desk of the CEO: 10 Years, 10 Lessons

From the Desk of the CEO: 10 Years, 10 Lessons

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Blog, Du bureau du directeur général.

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

I’ve now had the privilege of serving as president & CEO of the International Institute of New England for ten years. During this time, we’ve navigated historic levels of forced displacement worldwide, dramatic changes to U.S. immigration policy, and, of course, a global pandemic. With each year that passes, I have more admiration for the refugees and immigrants who courageously build new lives in the United States, and more gratitude for the compassion of those who welcome them.  

Here are ten lessons I’ve learned doing this work:  

1) Resilience is a superpower.

Refugees have endured immense trauma in their home countries, forced to flee war, violence, persecution, and famine. Leaving behind everything they know, many spend years living in threadbare conditions in refugee camps and endure long journeys to the U.S. only to begin their lives here in poverty and uncertainty. Their ability to adapt and move forward always inspires me.

2) Immigrants are essential workers.

Through workforce orientation, job skills training, and employment support, our team has helped thousands of refugees and immigrants enter and advance in the New England workforce. Employers tell us they love working with our clients because they are driven, adaptable, and quick to learn. Immigrants are key workers in many critical industries, including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, biotech, and retail. To learn more, take our quiz: Immigrants in the U.S. Workforce. 

3) Even in the darkest of times, people generously support newcomers.

Public opinion about welcoming immigrants to the United States can shift dramatically. Yet even when public sentiment has not been on our side, brave people have stepped up to care for our clients, generously giving their time, expertise, and resources. That investment pays off, as we saw when we dug deep into the IINE archives to celebrate our Centennial anniversary: 1924-2024: 10 Defining Highlights of IINE’s First 100 Years of Service in Boston. 

4) Immigration has shaped our personal stories as well as our country’s history.

Nearly all of us have an immigration story to tell—whether you are the first in your family to put down roots in the U.S. or someone earlier in your ancestry made the brave journey here. It’s this shared connection that has shaped the U.S. into the multicultural nation we are today.

5) It takes a network of supporters to welcome refugees and set them up for success. 

We can help thousands of newcomers every year because of the dedicated employers, healthcare organizations, schools, and community groups who partner with us. I am especially grateful for the volunteers who befriend and guide our clients in their time of greatest need. Here is a wonderful example: “I Never Felt Alone”: Maydelyn, a Refugee and Single Mom from Guatemala, Finds Community and a New Start in Massachusetts.

6) Immigrants are patriotic. 

Our clients are immensely grateful for the safety and opportunity they have found in the U.S. and believe in our country’s ideals and institutions. According to a study conducted by the Cato Institute, in comparison to native-born Americans, immigrants “have more trust in the three branches of American government” and are prouder to be American. For many immigrants and refugees, like Farishta, becoming a U.S. citizen is “like a dream come true.” 

7) Immigrants are innovators and creators. 

At our Centennial Golden Door Award gala, Flagship Pioneering Chairman and Founder Noubar Afeyan told us, “Being a stranger in a new land changes how your brain works in ways that make it easier for you, for us, to innovate and to create.” Studies show that immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs than native-born Americans, and I see that resourcefulness and drive among our clients every day.

8) Immigrants and refugees pay it forward.

Many of my IINE colleagues, from those who greet you at our front desks to those who lead our organization, are former refugees or first-generation immigrants who have dedicated their careers to supporting new arrivals. Many of our clients strive to do the same; one striking example is former IINE client and frequent collaborator, Suraj Budathoki, a member of the New Hampshire legislature: “I Always Want to Give Back”: Suraj Budathoki’s Journey from a Refugee Camp to the NH Statehouse. 

9) Immigrant youth make incredible leaders.

For many of our young clients, opportunity was scarce in their home countries. Coming to the U.S. gives them a chance to pursue their educational and career dreams, and they do so with great determination. Listen to my interview with PRX’s The World to learn more about how young newcomers to the U.S. forge their own paths.   

10) IINE is creative. 

The challenges of these last ten years have required our organization to adapt and reset again and again. We’ve created new programs, learned to work remotely, and quickly developed new teams and initiatives to meet each moment. You can learn more about our planned response to the unique demands of the year ahead in our latest Spotlight Report. 

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Thank you for helping to make these last ten years so meaningful. Doing this work is a privilege, and I look forward to continuing to partner with our dedicated staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, Leadership Council members, community partners, and donors to welcome refugees and immigrants to New England. 

Music Fundraisers

How Live Music Is Bringing Communities Together to Support Refugees and Immigrants

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Blog, Boston, Evénements, Bénévole.

When community members tell us they want to bring their friends and neighbors together to support IINE’s work for refugees and immigrants, it’s always music to our ears. When actual bands are involved, even better! We recently talked with three local musicians who held concerts to raise funds and awareness for IINE. Here’s what they told us about their inspiration and impact.  

Paul Green, Bassist for the Wicked Pickers Trio

Harvard University Astrophysicist and IINE Volunteer

Wicked Pickers Trio

What made you want to put together a music fundraiser for IINE? 
Well, a lot of Jews have a family history of being refugees. My mother fled Vienna with her parents in 1938 and came to New York with the help of [a resettlement agency], and you know, you just read in the news these days about all the struggles that refugees and asylum seekers go through. Immigrants in general are having a really hard time, even though most of this country is composed of immigrants. As has happened before in history, they seem to be the scapegoats for people who are having other troubles.  

I was particularly interested in the story of refugees from Afghanistan because many of them were under threat because they had helped the U.S. in their efforts to defend against the Taliban takeover. A couple of years ago, I volunteered with IINE specifically to help Nazia [an Aghan refugee]. When she first came to the country, we had the privilege of hosting her in our house for a few weeks as she was getting settled. Naturally she experienced a huge culture shock. She’s separated from everything she knows, her family, her friends, her culture. We were glad to be able to provide as soft a landing as we could and to help her with the basics, like understanding the T. IINE was very supportive and very, very well organized. So that was impressive. 

Risa [of the Honey Steelers] is the other person who helped organize the benefit concert and offered to host it in her backyard. We wanted both bands to play. It came about just because we were so disturbed by the current administration’s policies. It’s easy to feel helpless and ineffective in the face of all this. I know that agencies like yours are completely overwhelmed at the moment and in dire need of funding. So we decided it would be a good thing to do, and that if we sweetened it with music, that a lot of people might be interested in showing up. 

Why do you think music works so well in uniting people for a cause? 
When you’re experiencing music with a group of people, everybody is experiencing a similar feeling at the same time, which is kind of rare in life, and so it engenders a real community feeling. I think all of us at the concert have felt troubled by what’s going on in the country and then on top of it, or maybe as a form of solace, we all got to experience the same music together at the same time—so I think it’s a bonding thing. 

We ended with a beautiful instrumental that our guitar player, Bill Morris, had written called Far From Home, which felt especially moving and apropos.  

What advice would you give to other people who are interested in organizing a music fundraiser for IINE? 

Well, first I’d say it’s not that hard, and it’s a lot of fun! There’s a hunger for it, too. People want to do something and come together in community.  

Reach out to your contact lists – ask them to play, spread the word, help with set up, etc. It’s very rewarding and well worth the effort. 

Edson Fwenk, Drummer and Co-Founder of Artists Aspiring for Social Change

Haitian Immigrant and Music and Business Student at Bunker Hill Community College

What made you want to put together a music fundraiser for IINE? 

We wanted to gather around immigration—to plead the case of the ones who don’t have a voice—to sing it out loud or scream it out loud. So we came together and had a show.  

Tell us about the acts that participated.  

The vibe was like a punch: You had a little bit of Casta, which is a Latin band. You had Harmony’s Cuddle Party, which is prog. You had Militia Rashad and Sasha Deity, who both came with like a very militant rap. And then you had Sylvia North, who came with an acoustic guitar and was just singing—very smooth, very nice.  

So, multicolor, multifaceted – everyone could listen to someone who was their cup of tea.  

Why do you think music works so well in uniting people for a cause? 

Music is spiritual. To write a song or create a melody, this comes from the person’s soul. And so when it hits somebody else with the amount of passion that the person created that sound with, it resonates on a deeper level. I think music has this power to finetune somebody’s attention, and bring their soul to the perfect tuning. 

We realized that a concert could bring people together, even if we have different taste in music, and when we’re together, we can hear each other. I might not know a lot of Latin music, but whenever my prog band is playing, all right, I’m vibing. Whenever your band is playing, I’ll listen to what your band has to say. 

What advice would you give other people who are interested in throwing a music fundraiser for IINE? 

There can be push back when you’re coming in the name of minorities. People may say things about you or to you, but you have to approach this from a standpoint of love. It needs to come from the passion for the cause. It’s not about we get to play music, but it’s about I care for those people. It’s love. 

Peter Rowley, Guitarist, Vocalist, and Songwriter for The Clippertones

Malden Middle School Civics Teacher and Malden High School Soccer Coach

What made you want to put together a music fundraiser for IINE? 

Just watching the news and being aware of how immigrants are viewed and treated made me want to do something. I’d been wanting to help for a while, but having an administration that is, you know, pretty xenophobic propelled me to act instead of just sitting and complaining. 

I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, so I wanted the concert to be an opportunity for people. I’ve been in different protest movements at different times, and what has always helped keep my spirits alive is knowing that there are other people who are out there being vocal about their views. 

I wanted to use local bands for the community aspect, and I wanted the vibe to be, you know, truthful, but not depressing; enjoyable, uplifting music, but honest music. It’s a party; we can still have a good time, and we can still support each other, and raise each other’s spirits. And it’s not just about our spirits, we can do something—let people know that there are groups that are doing a lot of great work to help America stay a diverse, welcoming, and compassionate place.  

Why do you think music works so well in uniting people for a cause? 

Well, I think music is often the glue. You know, it’s the outlet, it’s the expression, it’s your raw emotions, your hopes, your aspirations, your fears. It’s an opportunity for people to say what they feel, and I think a lot of people love live music because of the unpredictability. The raw energy can be a lot of fun. You get to see a different side of people. 

Folk, and Americana music in particular, brings the protest tradition, and the idea of the melting pot we’re supposed to be. That’s what I was raised to understand—that we have people of different faiths, views, ethnicities, backgrounds, and worldviews, and what’s great is when we come together and get to experience some of those different perspectives. 

What advice would you give other people who are interested in throwing a music fundraiser for IINE? 

Try to find a supportive venue. If they’re supportive of the cause, they can really help with cutting costs. And if you can, try to pull a team together to help get the word out. Plan ahead, but try not to overthink it. Try to bring in bands that are on your same wavelength but have their own draws, and encourage them to bring out as many people as possible. I think if you do that, you’ll have a good time and feel like you accomplished something.  

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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. Want to host your own fundraiser? Contact us. 

Ride 2025

“I Do This in Their Honor”: Cyclists Raise Awareness and Funds at Sixth Annual Ride for Refugees and Immigrants

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Blog, Evénements, Bénévole.

The Mission

On September 21, thirty members of the IINE community, including staff, board members, volunteers, and their families, donned custom jerseys, mounted their bikes, and set off for a morning of pedaling their hearts out to raise awareness and funds in support of IINE’s mission. 

The annual Ride for Refugees and Immigrants, which was created by IINE Leadership Council member Will Krause, brings together seasoned and novice riders, united by their desire to support our newest neighbors. For weeks leading up to this year’s big day, riders gathered donations from their personal networks, spreading the word about IINE’s work and raising critical funds to help refugees and immigrants access food, shelter, and healthcare, English language and job skills training, and immigration legal support.  
 
For many, this year’s Ride felt particularly urgent as dramatic changes in federal immigration policy have dealt new challenges to refugees and immigrants in our communities—but on the day, while engaged together in action and celebration, the riders were all smiles. 
 

The Routes

Riders chose between two routes: a 12-mile route that started at the Bike Source in Bedford, Massachusetts and ended at the Kickstand Café in Arlington, and a 50-mile loop that began and ended at the café with stops in Lowell to tour IINE’s office and in Bedford to link up with the 12-milers for the home stretch.  

Participants rode at their own paces with designated team leaders guiding the way. Riders’ branded jerseys provided an important visual reminder for everyone they passed that our communities support our refugee and immigrant neighbors.  

The Finish Line

In the early afternoon, the Kickstand Café buzzed with bike-riders as one wave after another reached the finish line. IINE staff members were there to cheer on each finisher, and snacks and refreshments awaited to help them recover and celebrate. Many riders lingered long after the dismount to cheer on fellow finishers and socialize.   

One common theme heard from first-time 50-milers, as they mopped their brows, was that it felt easy to push through any of the day’s physical challenges when they thought about the cause. The challenges refugees and immigrants face are incomparable—surviving crises in their countries of origin, leaving their homes and loved ones behind, starting over in an unfamiliar place with little more than a suitcase, navigating complicated and ever-changing immigration laws, and so much more. This is not only a story shared by IINE’s clients, but also a story that can be found in each rider’s family history, and one that made their own lives as Americans possible.  

This year’s Ride for Refugees and Immigrants raised more than $50,000 in much-needed support for IINE’s mission. A huge thank you to everyone who participated!   

IINE’s annual events raise critical funds for our refugee and immigrant community members. Learn more and join us for an upcoming event.

Why They Give: Donor Profile

Why They Give: An Interview with IINE Donor Leigh Bivings

Rédigé par Danielle Gauthier sur . Publié dans Blog, Profil du donateur.

Our donors help ensure that refugees and immigrants receive the support they need to find stability, learn English, secure jobs, and pursue their dreams in our communities. 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, Leigh Bivings, a generous supporter of IINE and member of our Leadership Council, shares how she first became involved with the International Institute of New England, her experience supporting a family from Cameroon, and how she finds purpose in giving back to the immigrant community.  

Pouvez-vous nous parler un peu de vous ?

I grew up in Arizona and completed most of my undergraduate and graduate degrees in California. I then spent a few years abroad, including in Latin America, where I volunteered with the Peace Corps, and in London, where I met my husband.  

When I was accepted to Stanford University to complete a PhD in Economics, I headed back to California, this time with my husband in tow. I graduated in 1992 and accepted a job in Boston, and we have been living in the South End of the city ever since.  

My career has had essentially three chapters – I worked as a management consultant at The Monitor Group, which has since been acquired by Deloitte, I did due diligence work for private equity firms at a firm called Stax, and then I started a wealth management firm called Artemis. I sold the firm to Beacon Pointe at the end of last year, and so I am finishing up this chapter.  

In my free time, I love reading history, being outdoors, traveling domestically and internationally, and playing tennis.  

Pourquoi la philanthropie est-elle importante pour vous ?

I have been very fortunate in my life in most dimensions. I feel that because I have the time, energy, and capacity to give back, it’s important that I do.  

I’ve been able to provide financial support to several organizations, and I also served on the board of the Boston YWCA for many years, and both of these opportunities have allowed me to make an impact.  

I’ve also volunteered as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and I’ve served as a mentor to young women through Year Up, a nonprofit focused on providing workforce training. These experiences taught me that I truly enjoy providing direct support when I can – which ultimately led me to IINE. 

On that note, how did you become involved with IINE?

It was August of 2022, and I had some time on my hands (no one wants to talk to their financial advisor in the summer!). I had been following the coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and I was really searching for a way to help. My husband and I own a 5-story brownstone and live on the top three floors. At the time the war broke out, we didn’t have anyone on the bottom two floors, and I remember thinking, “We have this great one-bed apartment and not a soul living there!”  

I began reading about the United 4 Ukraine program, which was looking for volunteers to provide housing and support to newly arriving Ukrainian refugees. My husband and I signed up to help through Welcome.US, and we were matched with a lovely Ukrainian family. Ultimately, the family, who are Russian speakers, ended up resettling in Estonia where there’s a large Russian-speaking community, but we have stayed in touch with them ever since.  

Around the same time that we learned the family wouldn’t end up coming to the U.S., a friend of mine reached out about joining a group of IINE volunteers to help welcome a Cameroonian family—two women and one of their sons. I said yes, and I joined their Resettle Together group in December of 2023.  

It wasn’t an easy adjustment for the family, but they are doing well now. The women are settled in a nice apartment, they both have full-time jobs, and they’re learning English. We helped enroll the young boy in school when they arrived, and this past summer, all of the members of our volunteer group chipped in so he could attend summer camp. It’s been a very rewarding experience to see the family progress, and to help play a role.  

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in learning more about welcoming and supporting refugees and immigrants?

I would say it’s very rewarding because it’s so tangible. These days, I’m thinking a lot about what I can do to help the populations who are being disproportionately affected by the current presidential administration. I can write checks, I can support lawyers and advocates, I can attend protests, and through organizations like IINE, I can have a direct impact – that feels important.  

I would also say be prepared to learn a lot, including how hard it is to be poor in this country. The high cost of living; challenges in accessing public benefits, healthcare, and public transportation; the need to work multiple jobs to make ends meet – this is not an easy place to resettle. Accompanying the family throughout their first year in the U.S., I saw how resilient and determined you have to be.  

Last question – do you have a personal connection to IINE’s mission that inspires your support? 

I do. My mother was born in Britain, and she and her parents were living in southern France when there was news of the Germans coming during the war.  My mother and grandmother were sent to a relocation camp for several months, but ultimately were released because my grandmother had American citizenship. They were able to escape to Portugal and then make their way to New York, where they had family members living.  

I think of their journey, and how grateful I am to be here, and that inspires my desire to help immigrants.  

L'IINE ne peut fournir des services indispensables aux réfugiés et aux immigrants que grâce au soutien de ses généreux donateurs. Il existe de nombreuses façons de donner. Pour en savoir plus, cliquez ici : Faire un don de fonds.