Автор: Джефф Тільман

Last week, President Trump announced the expansion of the unjust and xenophobic Travel Ban policy. Effective February 22, new restrictions will apply to immigrants from Myanmar (also known as Burma), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. This expanded policy will forever impact families within the IINE community.

The International Institute is privileged to be part of the American side of immigrants’ and refugees’ journeys. Every day, people in our programs gain skills, establish roots in New England, and contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of our communities. During the past five years, the International Institute has provided resettlement, education, employment, and legal services to more than 10,000 people — 677 of whom are from countries now affected by the travel ban.

We would venture to say we understand the people of these nations a little better than President Trump does.

People like Yayha, from Sudan, whose compelling story was featured by The Weather Channel for an in-depth article about how climate change is contributing to global migration.

People like Suleka, from Somalia, (a country included in the administration’s previous Travel Ban) who saw her siblings perish in war, but who survived and persevered. Today, she is a nurse who helps others in need.

And people like Muhammed and Hussein, from Myanmar, who escaped violence in their homeland and journeyed alone to the U.S. to establish a life in safety with the aim of reuniting with those they were forced to leave behind.

Like Muhammed and Hussein, the vast majority of refugees and immigrants arrive in the U.S. with the expectation that, someday, their family members will join them here. The consequence of this expanded Travel Ban policy means that many of these families may never reunite on U.S. soil.

The 677 people we know from these countries have endured persecution, war, violence, and famine. Today, they fill critical roles in education, healthcare, hospitality, and numerous other industries. They are parents, co-workers, neighbors, and friends. We admire their courage and optimism and we celebrate their contributions to their neighborhoods, offices, and classrooms. We know they play a significant part in driving our thriving New England economy and we think they deserve to be reunited with the family members they left behind.

Each day we work with individuals from nations affected by the Travel Ban whose families remain in their home countries or in refugee camps on the other side of the world. The expanded Travel Ban is a devastating blow to those who journeyed to America with the promise that, if they played by the rules, they could reunite with their loved ones. Through this cruel and unjust policy, President Trump is dividing families and breaking America’s promise of humanitarian assistance to the world’s most vulnerable people.

To support our mission and the critical programs we provide, please donate online, here.

“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 nonprofits in New England, and the International Institute of New England, the region’s oldest provider of immigrant and refugee services, issue this joint statement in opposition to federal policies announced that would slash the number of refugees admitted to the US:

“The Trump administration announced new policies that, in effect, declare that the Statue of Liberty no longer symbolizes our nation’s welcoming spirit.

“The administration plans to set the new yearly refugee admissions goal at 18,000, a record low. And a new executive order would allow state and local officials to stop resettlement in their communities. They seemingly want to dismantle our nation’s resettlement programs.

“Destroying the U.S. Refugee Administration Program would mean that we abandon thousands of refugees who have already cleared strict U.S. screening and vetting processes.  They include families with small children and survivors of genocide, as well as thousands who have been persecuted for their political or religious beliefs. Nearly 40,000 refugees are already approved and at various stages in the process. To reject them, after they have already waited for years to resettle here, would be a betrayal of our values and our humanitarian tradition.

“We don’t believe the policies enacted this week represent majority opinion in the U.S. because they do not reflect our values. Most Americans don’t want to extinguish our legacy as a safe haven. They realize, gratefully, that their own ancestors once immigrated or fled to the U.S.

“In countless ways, America depends on new Americans. We need refugees and immigrants in greater numbers if our economy is going to continue to grow and generate the wealth needed to finance defense, the national debt, Social Security, and other commitments. So not only would it be un-American to stop being ‘a nation of immigrants,’ it would be anti-American because it would be contrary to our national interests.

“Especially in New England, new Americans help drive the economy, enhance the culture, and become part of the fabric of our local communities. In this region – with the highest rate of college-educated adult workers in the nation – employers are struggling to fill jobs that require high skills and low skills. Industries vital to this region’s growth – such as construction, healthcare, hospitality — cannot meet their workforce needs with only native-born Americans.

“Because Ascentria Care Alliance and the International Institute of New England help immigrants and refugees resettle and obtain good jobs, we know firsthand how quickly they start to achieve independence after arriving in the U.S.  It isn’t long before newcomers become valued employees in US companies, manufacturers of US goods, founders of US  businesses, and creators of jobs in the US.  Refugees rent and then purchase US homes, learn in US schools, join the US armed forces, all while paying municipal, state, and federal taxes.

“The truth is, our country needs refugees as much as they need us.

“We will continue to work with other organizations and individuals to educate and advocate for a return to the policy of the U.S. welcoming new Americans – a policy reflected in our national motto, E pluribus unum, ‘out of many, one.’ In the great tradition of American optimism, we believe that a more humane and welcoming policy will yet again prevail.”

Про Альянс допомоги "Асцентрія

As one of the largest nonprofit, human service organizations in New England, Ascentria Care Alliance empowers people of all backgrounds to rise together and reach beyond life’s challenges. We use an innovative human-centered care model to help individuals and families move forward and thrive – physically, intellectually, socially, spiritually and economically. With many locations throughout the region, Ascentria serves children, youth and families; persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness; refugees, including unaccompanied minors; and older adults.

Завдяки продуктивній співпраці та партнерству ми створюємо вимірюваний позитивний вплив, який збагачує наші громади. Надихаючись нашою релігійною спадщиною та керуючись співчуттям, відвагою та чесністю, ми бачимо світ, у якому кожен може повністю реалізувати свій потенціал та ділитися з іншими, хто цього потребує.

About The International Institute of New England

Founded in 1918, the International Institute of New England (IINE) is one of the oldest and largest social service organizations for new Americans in the region. Our mission is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement, and pathways to citizenship. Across IINE’s three service sites (Boston, Lowell, and Manchester, NH), IINE programs support 2,500 newcomers, including refugees and asylees, unaccompanied minor children from Central America, victims of human trafficking, and other immigrants.

IINE programs are critical to preserving the nation’s tradition of welcoming people of all backgrounds who cherish freedom, equality, and hard work.  IINE’s programs are particularly important to New England, which depends on immigrant labor to sustain and grow its economy.