The National Immigration Forum is part of a new coalition of about 30 diverse organizations that launched yesterday — including business, faith, education, national security, and advocacy groups — to push for immigration reforms this year.
Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals "should be having fun living out their childhood, enjoying trips to the amusement park," said Bernardo Castro, a 30-year-old DACA recipient himself, in the Alliance’s press conference yesterday. "But the political bickering has made their life a
cruel roller coaster."
Welcome to Thursday’s edition of Noorani’s Notes. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected].
UKRAINE — Today marks one week since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A team at the Associated Press reports that more than 1 million refugees have fled
Ukraine, "the swiftest refugee exodus this century," per the United Nations. Businesses and regular citizens in Europe are demonstrating inspiring welcome: Airbnb has offered to temporarily house up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing to other European countries, reports Suzanne Rowan Kelleher of Forbes. Uber is now offering free unlimited rides between the Ukraine-Poland border and two other Polish cities, reports Jessica Bursztynsky
of CNBC. In Berlin, video from Reuters shows thousands of residents at the central train station to welcome and offer refuge to arriving Ukrainians. (Wow.) Meanwhile,
also in Forbes, Stuart Anderson, executive director
of the National Foundation for American Policy, explains how Ukrainian and Russian immigrants are helping Americans understand the war, and "what U.S. policy should be now and in the future."
BORDER NEWS — Newly built parts of the southern border wall have been breached by smugglers 3,272 times over the past three years, per unpublished U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, reports Nick Miroff of The Washington Post — with repairs costing $2.6 million from 2019 to 2021. "While the agency has acknowledged that smugglers are able to hack through the new barriers built by the Trump
administration, the maintenance records show damage has been more widespread than previously known, pointing to the structure’s limitations as an impediment to illegal crossings," writes Miroff. I write about the need for better border narratives and policies that balance both national security and compassion in a new essay for Zócalo Public Square.
SUDAN, SOUTH SUDAN TPS — On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Sudan and redesignated South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, per
Homeland Security Today. Applicants must already be in the U.S., meet
eligibility requirements and pass security and background checks. "Sudan is currently experiencing political instability and unrest, and armed conflict in South Sudan has displaced millions of residents," said DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
RAOUFIS SIBLINGS — Two Afghan siblings are among the refugees beginning to rebuild their lives in Bradenton, Florida, thanks to robust community support, reports James A. Jones Jr. of the Bradenton Herald. Noman was a translator for the U.S. and our allies, while Venus worked for the Afghan Ministry of Justice. "Noman is a problem solver and so resourceful. Venus is warm and wonderful," said Denise Chandler, director of Learning and People Development for Westminster Communities of Florida, which now employs both siblings. "They have added so much to our community." Meanwhile, a deputy with the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office brought 33 members of his family out of Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover last year. The deputy himself is a former interpreter who worked with U.S. forces including the sheriff’s cousin. "All the things he has done and what has happened. It is like a movie," Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman said.
Among other local welcome:
- Cedar Rapids’ Catherine McAuley Center is looking for English tutors to assist 250 resettled Afghans. As a tutor, "I get the chance to learn a little bit about their country and their language as well as trying to understand empathy, and that helps them," said Brenda Meeker, the Training and Development Specialist for Raining Rose, a partner. (Brian Tabick, KCRG)
- Launched by U.S. Marine reservist Ryan Alvis, the Arlington Neighbors Welcoming Afghans (ANWA) Facebook group "has become the virtual gathering point for coordinating supplies, volunteers and team leads" for new Afghan arrivals. (Eliza Tebo, Arlington Magazine)
- In collaboration with Lutheran Family Services, City of Albuquerque officials have launched a new campaign to help Afghan refugees secure affordable housing in New Mexico. (Colton Shone, KOB 4)
- Jason Lief, a mobilizer for the Forum and a Northwestern College professor, is working with Mary J. Treglia Community House to help with Afghan resettlement in Sioux City. (Piet Westerbeek, Daily Grind/Sioux County Radio)
‘THEY ARE US’ — As global displacement continues, a coalition of neighbors, including faith-based groups and co-workers, are coming together to support refugees, writes Mary Hall of NewsNation Now. Known as "community sponsorship," the U.S. government and a network of volunteers from nonprofit organization(s) are assisting refugees with housing, language, culture and school enrollment, among other services, explains Hall. "When (volunteers) see them, they don’t see refugees or a scary word — they don’t see terrorists," said Kathie O’Callaghan, the founder of Hearts & Homes for Refugees in New York. "They see a mother and a father and children and babies trying to make a life. They don’t recognize them as different. Because after all, they are us."
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