November 2021 Newsletter

USCRI AND HONDURAS SIGN AGREEMENT TO ASSIST UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN

The Honduran Ambassador to the United States Luis Fernando Suazo met with USCRI CEO and President Eskinder Negash on November 5, 2021, to sign a memorandum of understanding seeking to promote access to various services to benefit migrant children.

During the meeting, USCRI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Honduran government in matters related to immigration, especially our efforts to address the needs of unaccompanied children seeking legal assistance in the United States.

“With this MOU we reaffirm our commitment to work for unaccompanied minors from Honduras and Central American countries,” Negash said. “We thank the Ambassador for his continued support for USCRI’s work.”

A YEAR OF GRATITUDE, A YEAR OF SERVICE

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is grateful to you for making it possible to further our mission. This year was a special one for us – challenging, yes, but still special, as 2021 marks our 110^th anniversary – which means that for 110 years, we have partnered with individuals like you to assist our new refugee and immigrant neighbors.

Our work continues as we welcome the many Afghan refugees and other newcomers who will be resettled in the coming months. That’s why during this holiday season, we ask you to join the countless others before you and contribute so that USCRI may carry on its important work. Your gift can provide food and shelter for families facing hardship due to the pandemic, legal services to families separated by conflict, assistance enrolling their kids in school and English classes, as well as access to other much-needed resources.

As the year-end approaches, we ask you to make a gift today so that we can welcome refugees and immigrants into a brighter future – a future of promise, hope, and opportunity. USCRI is participating in Giving Tuesday and hopes to gather more support to continue our mission to protect the rights and address the needs of persons in forced or voluntary migration worldwide and support their transition to a dignified life. Together, we can transform lives.

From all of us at USCRI, thanks very much.

DONATE NOW

TURKEY DRIVE

This year, USCRI staff delivered holiday meals to 25 unaccompanied children (UC) and their families. Our Children’s Services Program began in 2005 with a focus on providing direct and pro bono legal services to UC and technical assistance to volunteer attorneys nationwide.

When UC enter the United States, they are placed in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and have the right to reunify with their family or a sponsor in the U.S., when safe and appropriate. The most vulnerable are eligible for Home Study and Post Release Services to ensure their safety and promote their well-being after they are released. Since 2011, USCRI has been providing these services to UC across the country so they can thrive as they begin the next step in a long, arduous journey.

USCRI staff connect families with community resources and refer them for services to ensure the successful integration of each child into their new home and community. Many of these children have suffered from poverty, gang violence, abuse, and trauma. USCRI has served more than 22,000 children since 2011 and will continue to work tirelessly to assist them.

MY DAY WILL COME
SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is pleased to invite you to a screening of the documentary My Day Will Come, which gives an in-depth look into the challenges faced by people seeking asylum in the United States as a result of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy.

The documentary, which was partially funded by USCRI, follows Sarahy, a young woman from Honduras who, fearing for her life after being extorted and receiving death threats from organized crime in her country, is forced to flee her home and seek asylum in the U.S.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the creators behind the documentary and a Q&A session.

Click here to register!

USCRI CELEBRATES AIRBNB'S PARTNERSHIP

As thousands of Afghan refugees are departing military bases and are headed to our affiliate and field offices across the country, our staff are working relentlessly to find permanent housing for them. Thanks to USCRI’s recent partnership with Airbnb, our affiliates and field offices were able to obtain immediate temporary housing for hundreds of Afghan refugees during the past month. The outpouring of support from Airbnb comes at a critical time and we are grateful for its contributions.

On Friday, November 19, 2021, Airbnb’s funding increased from $200,000 to $400,000, which has allowed our offices to provide more vital assistance to Afghan refugees in the last two weeks. Airbnb’s team has been incredibly warm, eager to help our staff, and we are thankful for their willingness to help our clients.

As we expect more Afghan refugees to arrive through the end of the year, which will increase our demand for resources, we welcome any opportunities to establish similar partnerships. USCRI is immensely thankful for the support received in recent months.

Copyright ©2021 U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. All rights reserved.

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 310-1130
[email protected]

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