Find a variety of health education pieces related to COVID for recently arrived Afghan refugees in Pashto, Dari, Farsi and English at the University of Minnesota’s National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants website. Resources include basic fact sheets, … Continue reading →
With a new wave of Afghani refugees right around the corner, here’s an opportunity to learn more about best practices when interacting with recent arrivals. The free webinar, “Best Practices in Newcomer and Immigrant Health: A Virtual Short Course for … Continue reading →
As US involvement in the 20-year war in Afghanistan winds down, here’s an inevitable question: What becomes of the thousands of Afghans who helped US troops and now face retribution as the Taliban takes over? This month the US House … Continue reading →
With the pull-out of US troops from the 20-year ware in Afghanistan comes a new international refugee crisis, as aid groups declare that they’re prepping for the displacement of tens of thousands as the Taliban takes over swaths of the … Continue reading →
The American Immigration Council is a quick and easy source for an overlook at Minnesota’s immigrant community. It’s Minnesota-specific fact sheet is available here. You’ll find some surprising information within. For example: Nine percent of state residents are immigrants; This … Continue reading →
Are safety concerns preventing your clients and patients from getting the COVID vaccination? Here’s an infographic translated into 15 languages that points out that the COVID vax is the result of years of research, and was subjected to extensive clinical … Continue reading →
President Joe Biden last week boosted the limits on refugee resettlement in the US. After initially declaring he would retain the 15,000 refugee per year cap established by Donald Trump, Biden increased the quota to 62,500, with a 125,000 limit … Continue reading →
Tenants behind on their rent payments have been protected from eviction by state and federal law — for now. But the state rent moratorium ends on May 14, with the federal eviction ban continuing until June 30. (Read about the … Continue reading →
Here’s a look at how the face of immigration to Minnesota has changed since 1990, courtesy of the StarTribune newspaper. The long and short of it: 30 years ago the preponderance of immigrants arrived from Southeast Asia,with significant numbers of … Continue reading →
Among President Joe Biden’s first actions in office was to bump up the number of refugees that will be allowed entry into the United States. In a series of executive orders, he laid the groundwork to increase the ceiling to … Continue reading →
It’s not the easiest collection of COVID-19 education materials to navigate, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted a mini-library of useful, downloadable posters and flyers in multiple languages, all available here. You’ll have to do some … Continue reading →
What does the Biden presidency mean for US immigration policy? Here’s a quick overview from the online media service, Axios. In Biden’s Day One Challenges: The Immigration Reset, the authors observe that among the new president’s first acts will be … Continue reading →
In case you figured that squalid refugee camps were solely a feature of the undeveloped world, consider this account, Inside the Refugee Camp on America’s Doorstep, from the New York Times. The filth-ridden camp near Brownsville, TX holds would-be refugees … Continue reading →
More tough times for would-be refugees ahead, as the Trump administration sets an all-time low limit on allowing those fleeing persecution in their home countries to enter the United States. Here’s an analysis from the Washington Post: “The Trump administration … Continue reading →
Take a look at this music video from the Hamilton Mixtape, inspired by the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, Hamilton. It’s a post-Labor Day salute to the risks and back-breaking work performed by immigrants to the US. For more information about the … Continue reading →
Looking for an insider’s view on immigrant and refugee life in Minnesota? Check out Sahan Journal, an independent non-profit that aims to “chronicle the struggles, successes and transformations of Minnesota’s new Americans, whose stories are often overlooked by traditional news … Continue reading →
Here’s a New York Times rundown on states responding to a recent Trump administration executive order that gives governors the right to refuse to accept new refugees. Governors find themselves squeezed between faith-based groups that urge them to decide that … Continue reading →
Learn more about the 100-year history of the International Institute of Minnesota and its present and future challenges in a StarTribune story, Minnesota refugee aid center’s future in flux at 100. The piece offers a look at the organization’s evolution, … Continue reading →
Here’s a case of dueling conclusions that start from the same statistics, as sketched out in the newsletter, Intersect, published by the Cross Cultural Communications. The firm, which specializes in interpreter training, offers a back-handed compliment to the anti-immigrant think-tank, … Continue reading →
Get a rundown on the Twin Cities area growing Congolese population in the StarTribune story, Congolese find home in Minnesota. Swept up in the armed conflicts of Central Africa that have driven millions from their homes, the local Congolese are … Continue reading →
Looking for ways to better serve refugee kids in your mentoring programs? Here’s a free webinar open to all refugee service providers, including those working at state agencies, resettlement agencies or other organizations. Set for noon through 1 pm, Wednesday, … Continue reading →
Here’s a moving essay about a college student’s effort to understand more about the escape her grandmother made from the Philippines to the United States. Seeing My Heritage through My Grandmother’s Eyes is another of those stories that point out the … Continue reading →
With the Trump administration poised to deport a large group of legal Cambodian immigrants to the United States, among the questions that arise is, How will those booted from the US adapt to Cambodia, a country that in many cases … Continue reading →
Immigrants’ lives will become that much harder as the Trump administration imposes new rules on those who legally use public benefits such as food stamps, Part D Medicare drug coverage, or Section 8 housing vouchers. They could be denied green … Continue reading →
For anyone with children (or really, anyone at all) the news about Central American immigrant kids being separated from their parents is heart-rending. But that’s not to say that American history is free of numerous other similar examples. Get some … Continue reading →
Despite the many travails immigrants experience while adapting to a new life, there are also befuddling and ridiculous moments, some of which are captured in this charming, short video produced by The Guardian newspaper. For instance, a Syrian refugee now … Continue reading →
If you’re ready for a jolt of compassion in the public discussion concerning refugees, check out this recent piece in the New York Times — “What Refugees Face on the World’s Deadliest Migration Route.” The article, written by a doctor … Continue reading →
Check out a four-part series on integrating immigrant and refugee physicians into the US health care system. Immigrant docs bring their training and cultural/language skills to their new environment, but overcoming the barriers to resume their medical careers in the US can … Continue reading →
Looking for a window into the living conditions and thoughts of refugees? Check out Refugee Voices, a feature offered on the website of Refugee Center Online. This space gives refugees an opportunity to write about their experiences and attempt to … Continue reading →
In the world of literature, these are boom times for dystopian fiction and refugee sagas. A recent stand-out in the latter category is “Exit West,” by Mohsin Hamid. The short novel starts with a set-up familiar to anyone who reads … Continue reading →