Joint statement from IINE and Ascentria Care Alliance
“In countless ways, America depends on new Americans.” Agencies oppose Trump administration plans to slash refugee resettlement and legal immigration to the U.S. By: Ascentria Care Alliance and the International Institute of New England Ascentria Care Alliance, one of the largest human service [...]
IINE statement on the Refugee Cap for FY20
Yesterday, the White House announced plans to admit only 18,000 refugees in the coming fiscal year, the lowest ceiling in U.S. history. Globally, forced displacement is at an all-time high. The world’s 26 million refugees are sheltered in camps, temporary housing, [...]
The Third Narrative about Immigrants: Why We Need Them As Much As They Need Us
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” For some, the words of poet Emma Lazarus, which have adorned the Statue of Liberty for over 100 years, are a call to help [...]
When newcomers become homeowners, families and communities benefit
By Brenna Foley, IINE-Lowell Bassam Almutawali is a refugee from Iraq who arrived with his family in July of 2014, and was resettled by IINE in Lowell. Bassam enrolled in IINE’s Individual Development Account Program in February of 2017. The IDA program allows refugees, [...]
From a Desperate Situation to a Stable Family Environment: The Family Reunification Program
By Kaila Thomas, IINE intern Since 2011, the International Institute of New England has helped unaccompanied minor children by providing the support and resources they need to reunify with loved ones in the United States. Sometimes migrant families travel to the U.S. border together, [...]
IINE welcomes Dan Arrigg Koh as the newest member of its Board of Directors
By Juli Gamba, IINE Intern As a man whose professional career has revolved around the people and politics of Massachusetts, the newest member of IINE’s Board of Directors, Daniel Arrigg Koh, said he is looking forward to bringing his personal toolbox of business, communications, [...]
Having Won a Visa Lottery, this ESOL Student Strives to Succeed
by Mariah Dennis, volunteer and contributing writer Many people live in hope of winning a lottery, but Boston ESOL student Yawo Detse Vouti has already won the most important lottery of his life. In fact, he describes the day he won the lottery as [...]
Raising up immigrant stories through photographs: Meet Becky
Inspired by a desire to make world cultures more accessible to New Hampshirites, photographer Becky Field has made it her life's work to capture, celebrate, and raise up images of cultural diversity in the Granite State. While highlighting cultural differences, her work illustrates the [...]
A “happily ever after” for one international couple
By Mariah Dennis, volunteer and contributing writer It was love at first click for Andrea and Kurt, when they met online in 2014. But, there was one problem with this twenty-first century love story: Andrea lived in Peru, and Kurt lived in Boston. They [...]
“Nothing is ever easy until you have done it.” Lessons from the Hospitality Training Program in Boston
Graduation Speech by Leonardo Fermin, Hospitality Training Program Hello everyone, thank you for being here today. My name is Leonardo Fermin. I am originally from Venezuela and I would like to start by telling you a little bit about myself. Being in Venezuela, I [...]
Information for immigrant families: Public Charge policy changes start October 15, 2019
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new public charge rule, which will go into effect on October 15th. The rule includes a requirement that immigrants seeking a change in status (i.e., a green card) “must demonstrate that they have not, [...]
IINE Statement on Public Charge Policy changes
The Trump Administration's new "Public Charge" policy will limit the ability of legally-admitted, tax-paying immigrants to become permanent residents and citizens of the U.S. The International Institute of New England condemns this xenophobic policy as un-American and economically indefensible. Legal immigrants with documented statuses [...]