IINE Statement on the Refugee Admissions Cap for FY21
The International Institute of New England (IINE) condemns the Trump Administration’s newly-announced plan to permit no more than 15,000 refugees to enter the United States during Fiscal Year 2021, which starts today (October 1). Our nation can and should do so much better. Today’s [...]
Congratulations to our graduating class: Healthcare & Hospitality Training Program
The International Institute of New England’s Healthcare & Hospitality Training Program (HHTP) is a nine-week course designed to prepare immigrants for jobs in the hospitality and healthcare industries, and to equip them with the necessary skills to launch their careers. IINE has offered skills-training [...]
Memory lane calling – IINE client comes full circle
By Sherry Spaulding, Education and Youth Program Manager I received a very special phone call today. It was Samuel Jordan, the 74-year-old patriarch of a Liberian family who was my very first job placement client when I started working at IINE’s Lowell office as [...]
Welcome to America. You are now in lockdown. – IINE resettles refugee family
This message comes from Rahmatullah Aka, IINE’s Community Services Manager in Boston. He shared this story as part of our All Together campaign, made possible by a generous $15k match offer from a family foundation and friend of IINE. This month, they will match [...]
She was an asylee with COVID-19 and needed help – IINE responds
This message comes from Sabyne Denaud, IINE’s Community Services Manager in Lowell. She shared this story as part of our All Together campaign, made possible by a generous $15k match offer from a family foundation and friend of IINE. This month, they will match every donation, dollar-for-dollar, up to $15,000 [...]
IINE opposes proposed Asylum regulation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued proposed asylum regulations that will make it nearly impossible for people to pursue asylum claims in the United States. Asylum is a lifeline for tens of thousands of vulnerable [...]
A collaboration between local organizations has brought fresh produce each week to the kitchens of newcomer families in Lowell, Massachusetts.
The International Institute of New England officially suspended all its in-person services on March 13. Ever since, we have been working tirelessly and creatively to continue to support our immigrant and refugee communities. We had to adapt to these unprecedented circumstances and keep providing the critical employment, case management, [...]
IINE Statement on June 22, 2020 Presidential Proclamation Temporarily Suspending Entry of Certain Immigrants into the United States
On June 22, 2020, President Trump signed a proclamation suspending the entry of certain nonimmigrant workers and their family members. The order directly impacts the following nonimmigrant workers: H-1B: Specialty Occupations H-2B: Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers J-1: Exchange Visitors (interns, trainees, teachers, camp counselors, au [...]
IINE Statement on the Supreme Court Ruling to Block Trump from Ending DACA
Today, the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from cancelling the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This ruling is a victory not only for dreamers but for all immigrants nationwide. We stand with every dreamer and every family whose lives have been [...]
IINE and Black Lives Matter
Recently we made the decision to update two of our blog posts, which we wrote on June 1 and June 2 in response to the murder of George Floyd by a police officer. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that at the [...]
IINE Statement of Solidarity with Black Americans and #BlackLivesMatter
IINE was founded on the belief that in order for a community to thrive, it must welcome and truly embrace all those who embody it. Our organization is dedicated to building and promoting welcoming communities that recognize the value of every person: refugee, immigrant, [...]
What it means to be a truly welcoming community
June 1, 2020Dear Friend:Last night I was in the IINE office in Boston, where Downtown Crossing and Chinatown meet, getting ready for the week ahead. Around 8:00 p.m. thousands of diverse, peaceful, and enthusiastic protesters marched below my window to condemn the murder of George [...]