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"Inhumane and Xenophobic": IINE Statement on the Trump Administration's Travel Ban

“Inhumane and Xenophobic”: IINE Statement on the Trump Administration’s Travel Ban

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

The Trump administration has instituted an inhumane and xenophobic travel ban, dividing families, endangering the lives of those seeking safety in the U.S., and forsaking our nation’s humanitarian legacy. The President claims he selected certain nations around the world because they have a “large-scale presence of terrorists,” when in reality, the individuals seeking to leave these nations are doing so to save their lives and their families. 

The International Institute of New England condemns the actions of this administration as it continues to dismantle legal pathways to immigration and villainize innocent individuals and families seeking safety and stability.  

More than 90% of IINE’s current clients come from nations included in the travel ban, particularly Haiti and Afghanistan. These immigrants have endured rigorous vetting and screening, long journeys, and unimaginable trauma to find peace and safety in the U.S. In turning our backs on vulnerable individuals, we cause irreparable human harm and hurt U.S. communities – who rely heavily on their talent and economic and cultural contributions.  

Talent like Efdjeen, who was forced to leave her home in Haiti, where she was completing her residency after graduating from medical school. Efdjeen always aspired to become a doctor, and last year, she graduated from IINE’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, bringing her one step closer to her goal.  

The ban also means separating families, who have already spent years apart and want nothing more than to be reunited. 

Many from the countries banned are our friends, neighbors, and in the case of Afghanistan, brothers and sisters in arms. When the Taliban took control of Kabul, Sabira and her husband had to flee because of his past work supporting the U.S. Armed Forces; now, they are in Massachusetts alone, dreaming of the day when they will see their families again.  

The devastation the travel ban will cause is immense. We hope the ban will be successfully challenged in court, and that the President’s unilateral decision-making will spur further action around the need for comprehensive immigration reform. 

IINE Statement on the Trump Administration’s Termination of TPS for Afghanistan

IINE Statement on the Trump Administration’s Termination of TPS for Afghanistan

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Advocacy, Afghan Refugees, Blog, Press Releases/Statements.

The International Institute of New England condemns the federal administration’s most recent cruelty in terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans. The administration claims that conditions in Afghanistan have improved, but the Taliban’s continued control of the nation contradicts this assessment. Human rights violations have only worsened, with women and girls at heightened risk of facing gender-based violence, in addition to thousands of disappearances, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial executions, attacks on freedom of expression, and the near collapse of their health system. Sending people who have fought alongside us, sought safety in the U.S., and would likely face retribution upon return to a country in crisis would be a complete reversal of our nation’s long-held values of refuge and humanitarian relief.  

IINE has a long history of welcoming and supporting Afghans from the early 2000’s to today. After the fall of Kabul, our communities stepped up and opened our doors because it was the right thing to do. Thousands of Afghans left their homes behind, and in some cases their families, to ensure their safety, including our allies who aided American troops during the war. These brave and resilient individuals have become our neighbors, colleagues, and friends – like Nazia. An English teacher in Afghanistan, Nazia fled after receiving death threats from the Taliban for daring to educate women and girls. Today, Nazia continues to teach English in the Boston-area and hopes to pursue her masters. These are the kind of people we would be turning our backs on if the administration terminates TPS on July 12.  

We must stand by our commitment to welcoming those in need, and we can do so. By passing the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA), Congress could allow Afghans to apply for green cards and set them on a pathway to becoming permanent citizens. It would mean that thousands of Afghans will be able to reunite with their families, and together, remain safely in the U.S. – a country they have come to call home.  

Sokhary Chau

IINE Congratulates Sokhary Chau, First Cambodian-American Mayor in U.S.

Written by Jeff Thielman on . Posted in Blog, Lowell, Press Releases/Statements.

Sokhary Chau, a Cambodian refugee who survived the Khmer Rouge’s genocide, has become the Mayor of Lowell, making him the first Cambodian-American mayor in the United States. Currently serving as a city councilor in Lowell, he was unanimously picked by his council peers to assume the top post on January 3, 2022. He also became the city’s first Asian American mayor.

“As a proud Cambodian American, I am standing on the shoulders of many immigrants who came before me to build this city,” Chau said at his inauguration.

For more than 100 years, IINE has welcomed newcomers to Lowell through refugee resettlement, adult education, immigration services and beyond.

“We are so inspired to see a refugee assume the city’s top post,” says Jeff Thielman, IINE’s CEO, “It speaks to how the investment in refugees and immigrants leads to a more vibrant, diverse, and forward-thinking community. We look forward to working with the new Mayor and welcoming newcomers to Lowell.”

 

Refugee Agencies Praise MA Legislature for Approving $12 Million in Aid for Over a Thousand Afghan Arrivals

Refugee Agencies Praise MA Legislature for Approving $12 Million in Aid for Over a Thousand Afghan Arrivals

Written by Jeff Thielman on . Posted in Advocacy, Blog, Boston, Press Releases/Statements.

BOSTON, MA: Mass. Refugee Resettlement Agencies, the nonprofits tasked by the federal
government with welcoming and resettling hundreds of Afghan immigrants, praised the MA legislature
for including $12 Million to support Afghan arrivals in the final spending bill sent to Governor Baker’s
desk on Friday.

“We are incredibly grateful for our legislative champions, Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President
Karen Spilka, and Ways and Means Chairs Aaron Michlewitz and Michael Rodrigues for continuing our
Commonwealth’s long history of welcoming refugees into Massachusetts” said Jeff Thielman,
President and CEO of the International Institute of New England. “The $12 Million allocated in the
supplemental state budget will provide critical support to those arriving from Afghanistan, often with
nothing more than the clothes on their back.”

U.S. and international coalition forces evacuated 124,000 people from Afghanistan in August, with
more than 95,000 of these individuals expected to resettle in the U.S. Hundreds of Afghan citizens
have already arrived in Massachusetts, and resettlement providers expect that more than 1,700
Afghans will settle in the Commonwealth by mid-February. Resettlement agencies contract with the
U.S. State Department to ensure that refugees experience a safe and effective transition to the United
States. Local agencies in the Commonwealth receive and distribute financial support from the federal
government to new arrivals and also rely on private donations. Federal and private support, however,
is not enough to fully meet the needs of Afghans and other displaced populations.

House Floor Division Leader Jim O’Day represents the city of Worcester and has been a long-time
supporter of Ascentria and their work. “I am thrilled to see the broad support in the House and the
Senate for the allocation of $12 Million in funding. This state support is critical to supplement federal
dollars and ensure that those arriving have wraparound services including housing, legal aid, childcare
and job training. The funding will have a tremendous impact on the resettling efforts for the Afghans
refugees in the city of Worcester. ”

While some federal funding has been allocated to support Afghan evacuees to Massachusetts and
other states, the Commonwealth’s high cost of housing and cost of living has posed a significant
challenge to the emergency resettlement of these individuals.

“I am proud of the inclusion of $12 million in aid for Afghan refugees in the House and Senate
spending bill” House Floor Division Leader Ruth Balser (D-Newton) who helped spearhead the state
funding request in the House, stated. “This aid will be crucial to successfully resettle Afghan
immigrants and ensure their safe passage to Massachusetts following their swift and urgent
evacuation from Afghanistan. I am proud that Massachusetts is stepping up to welcome these
refugees and making sure they integrate successfully into our community.”

The House and the Senate both included the $12 Million in their initial draft of the spending bill,
meaning no amendment was needed in either branch. Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), a lead in
securing state funding in the Senate and a US Army Veteran himself, stated, “From my own time in
Afghanistan, I know how much our military forces have depended on Afghan citizens for our missions
over the last twenty years. Now those same individuals and their families are going to be relying on our
Commonwealth to support them. This funding is crucial to ensure that Afghan arrivals have access to
the services and resources they need and are able to integrate successfully into our communities. I
urge the Governor to swiftly sign the spending bill so this money can be leveraged as quickly as
possible.”

The state funding will be administered through the Office of Refugee and Immigrants (ORI) and will be
allocated both to individuals and resettlement agencies directly, as per the language in the final
spending bill.

Aimee Mitchell, Chief Community Services Officer at Ascentria Care Alliance underscored that in order
to ensure Afghan arrivals have adequate wraparound services, including childcare, transportation,
language access, and medical care, state funding is needed. “The federal and private funding we have
raised alone cannot adequately cover the support that these individuals will need in order to establish
themselves and be successful in Massachusetts. It is directly in line with the agencies’ mission and the
history of Massachusetts to help these individuals start a new, safe life here in Massachusetts.”

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Ascentria Care Alliance offers a continuum of community-based programs for refugees and immigrants
in Massachusetts that aim to help new Americans achieve independence and stability. Visit
www.ascentria.org to learn more about the refugee resettlement and unaccompanied minors
programs.

The International Institute of New England creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants to
succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement, and pathways to citizenship.
Learn more at IINE.org.