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Dear friends and allies,

This month, we celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month and the contributions of the millions of immigrants who have built this nation. German polka bands, Aztec dance troupes, Hmong rappers, and Mexican muralists and a myriad of other artists contribute to a vibrant cultural scene in Minnesota and across the country.

Immigrants create new businesses and jobs. In 2019, they were more than 21 percent of all business owners in the country, despite being less than 14 percent of the population. Immigrant engineers and scientists also make up more than 20 percent of all contributors to U.S. science, technology, engineering, and math fields. [LINK: [link removed]]

Immigrant doctors, nurses, personal care attendants, and a myriad of other health care workers are among the 2.6 million immigrants supporting our health care system. Immigrants "are 28 percent of physicians and 24 percent of dentists, for example, as well as 38 percent of home health aides." Immigrant farm workers and food processors keep everything from strawberries to pork chops coming to our supermarkets and tables. [LINK: [link removed]]

This summer, we welcome you to learn more about and support the immigrants in your community. Join us for a virtual panel discussion and CLE on June 14 over the lunch hour to mark the 10th anniversary of DACA. Revel with us in person at our Summer Celebration on the evening of July 21 at La Doña Cervecería. And this month and beyond, support the immigrant-owned businesses that are powering our economies, and advocate for our federal, state, and local governments to be welcoming. [LINK to CLE: [link removed]] [LINK to Summer Celebration: [link removed]]

With gratitude,

Veena A. Iyer
ILCM Executive Director


Home is Here: A Virtual Discussion on a Decade of DACA and the Future for DREAMers" - June 14th

This virtual panel discussion and CLE marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. Panelists will provide an overview of the DACA program; discuss the impact of the program on participants, businesses, and communities; and share their insights on the future for DREAMers. The panel will include Lisa Pedrys from Medtronic, Emilia Gonzalez Avalos from Unidos MN, and Ania Salcedo, a DACA recipient. Mackenzie Heinrichs, ILCM's Equal Justice Works Fellow, will moderate the discussion. This event is free and open to the public, and ILCM is applying for 1.25 CLE credits for Minnesota.

Register Here - [link removed]


You're Invited! Registration is now open for ILCM's Summer Celebration - July 21st

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is excited to invite you and guests to our Summer Celebration event on Thursday July 21st at 5:30pm at La Doña Cervecería in Minneapolis.
As a supporter, advocate, and changemaker for ILCM, you've helped make new beginnings for immigrants and refugees possible. And that makes us want to celebrate!
This event will be free of charge, with food and beverage at no cost to attendees. Guests will enjoy live music and short program with ILCM updates and testimonials of the life-changing work we do together. Our hope is to be in community with one another, share the impact of ILCM, and have a good time.
We hope you, your family, and friends join us for a wonderful evening of community and belonging.

RSVP Today: [link removed]


Resources for Ukrainians - Facebook Live

ILCM went live on Facebook on May 19 with Arrive Ministries, and The Advocates for Human Rights, and the Ukrainian American Community Center of Minnesota to discuss different options for Ukrainians seeking assistance in the United States. Austen Soare from ILCM spoke on Ukraine Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Hanne Sandison from The Advocates of Human Rights talked about asylum, and Christine Phillips from Arrive Ministries discussed family-based petitions. Thank you Oleksandra Guirlina for interpreting! [Arrive Ministries: [link removed] ; Advocates for Human Rights: [link removed]]

LINK: [link removed]


TPS for Afghanistan

On May 20, 2022, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published the Federal Register Notice for Afghanistan Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Federal Register Notice explains the eligibility criteria applicants must meet and describes procedures necessary to submit an initial TPS application and apply for work authorization documentation. ICLM updated our fact sheet on TPS for Afghanistan. The Legal Aid Society also came out with advisories in English, Pashto, and Dari. These advisories are linked on ILCM's fact sheet.

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Responding to Buffalo and Uvalde

"I am thinking of all of you and yours in light of the senseless violence that has rocked our country for too long and has rattled our nation in the last few weeks. I find myself without words thinking and crying about the racist, anti-Black murders in Buffalo in a grocery store and the murders of a classroom of children and teachers in Uvalde. Where is anyone safe in this country, especially people of color?

"As a mother of two elementary-aged children, my heart goes out to the families of the victims. As a Texan in Minnesota, I am thinking of all of the transplants--particularly our clients and their families--who are mourning the losses back in their hometown. Parents should never have to fear for their children's safety at school. Teachers should never be asked to die to protect their students. Families should never have to worry about going to their grocery store.

"We as a country need to do better. We need to be better. May 24 was the 144th day of 2022. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 212 mass shootings in those 144 days - 30 of which happened at K-12 schools. This is absolutely unacceptable. Our nation needs to act - now."

- Veena Iyer, ILCM Executive Director

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