Migration Policy Institute

From church to the mosque, faith and friends help Iowa’s African immigrants and refugees build a sense of home

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024
Muslims, Great Plains, Catholic Worker (newspaper), Policy, Thought, Language, Cold climate, Democratic republic, Government, Racism, Family, University, Migration, Catholic Church, Violence, Migration Policy Institute, Iron, United Nations, Refugee, Friends, Clothing, Interview, Snow, Food, International Organization (journal), Woman, Congo, U.N, Research, Nursing

Many people picture cornfields: the Great Plains of the American heartland.

Key Points: 
  • Many people picture cornfields: the Great Plains of the American heartland.
  • Together with colleague Amy Weismann, we aim to build connections with this population and learn from African immigrants’ experiences as they resettle in Iowa.
  • Despite their contributions to the region’s labor force, African immigrants across the Midwest are often overlooked and sometimes struggle to access resettlement services.

From Africa to Iowa

  • As of 2019, around 2 million Black immigrants from Africa were living in the United States – a number that has tripled since 2000.
  • The number of African migrants and asylum-seekers apprehended at the southern border of the United States has also increased as people look for alternatives to Europe.
  • According to the Migration Policy Institute, around 30,000 of the 3.2 million people in Iowa were born in Africa.
  • Some newcomers are attracted to the region because of economic opportunities, especially in meatpacking plants.
  • Some of the refugees first arrived in other states, including California and Michigan, before making their way to Iowa.
  • Refugees and immigrants are eligible for short-term aid with groceries, cash assistance, medical care and English classes.

Safe − and sacred − places


In interviews, most immigrants are grateful for friends, family, colleagues and the staff of the secular nonprofit and government agencies who help try to make their stay in Iowa comfortable. However, religious organizations also fill gaps in many arrivals’ new lives – not only with goods and services, but spiritually and socially.

  • Religious groups also organize food drives for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • One interviewee recalled, “It was snowing, and this elderly woman saw me and my baby around the church.
  • She helped me so much.” Religious places are also used as safe spaces for African migrants’ stories, highlighting the problems they are facing as individuals and as a community, and thinking of ways to proffer solutions.
  • A few congregations also open up their spaces for African attendees to hold cultural events and get-togethers with familiar music and food.

Change ahead

  • Many of our interviewees complain about lack of assistance from the government during the assimilation process and advocate for additional support such as more citizenship education for newly resettled immigrants.
  • Yet, they are confident that with time, Iowa will diversify, making it feel more like home: a state where they can put down roots, worship among friends and even access African foods such as “ugali” cornmeal, pilau and jollof rice.


Osamamen Oba Eduviere is affiliated with Refugee Alliance of Johnson County. Brady G'Sell is affiliated with the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, IC Compassion and the Refugee Alliance of Johnson County.

World Education Services Announces 14 U.S. Communities Selected to Join Its Skilled Immigrant Integration Program

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Skill, Workforce, State, Employment, Education, Migration Policy Institute, Refugee, Policy, WES, World Education Services, Creative industries, Drug, Central Massachusetts

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Education Services (WES) today announced the 14 communities selected to join the sixth cohort of its Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP).

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Education Services (WES) today announced the 14 communities selected to join the sixth cohort of its Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP).
  • These sites represent both new communities and SIIP alumni that are committed to advancing the workforce inclusion of immigrants and refugees across the United States.
  • “This newest cohort of participants in the Skilled Immigrant Integration Program is part of a nationwide effort to deepen the reach of immigrant and refugee workforce inclusion efforts in communities,” said Katherine Gebremedhin, Director of State and Local Initiatives, Global Talent Bridge at WES.
  • To be selected for SIIP, communities must be part of a local, regional, or state network of stakeholders that includes immigrant- and refugee-led organizations and communities of color.

Carnegie Reporter Magazine’s International Issue Focuses on the Importance of Knowledge in Advancing Global Security and Peace

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Other Policy Issues, Other Philanthropy, Other Defense, Public Policy, Government, Nuclear, Training, Defense, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services, Publishing, Other Energy, Communications, Energy, Philanthropy, Continuing, University, Fund Raising, White House, Federal Government, Education, Foundation, State, Local, Knowledge, Weapon, Human, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Q&A, Migration Policy Institute, Politics, Policy, Intelligence, Multimedia, Research, History, Council, Movement, Georgetown University, Thought, Corporation, Refugee, Foreign policy, Conventional weapon, Bill, Carnegie, Nobel Peace Prize, Social media, Conscience, Renewable energy

Now more than ever, knowledge and understanding of complex international issues are critical to the advancement of a more secure world.

Key Points: 
  • Now more than ever, knowledge and understanding of complex international issues are critical to the advancement of a more secure world.
  • The Fall 2023 edition of the Carnegie Reporter magazine, published by the philanthropic foundation Carnegie Corporation of New York, examines complex topics critical to global security, from U.S.-China relations to the costs of war and nuclear proliferation, and highlights the importance of bridging the gap between academics and policymakers.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230914409985/en/
    From U.S.-China relations to global nuclear dynamics, the #CarnegieReporter's International Issue examines some of the most pressing issues of our time and efforts to address them by promoting knowledge and peace.
  • Readers are encouraged to republish or excerpt articles by seeking permission from the foundation.

Migrants often can't access US health care until they are critically ill – here are some of the barriers they face

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 23, 2023
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, Extrapyramidal system, Insurance, Medicine, University, Senate, National Immigration Law Center, Interview, Migration Policy Institute, Instability, Hospital, Tetraplegia, Cancer, Visa, Research, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ID, Government, Stomach, Pain, Patient, Time, Social behavior, Hernia, Abdomen, IDS, Indianapolis Journal, Policy, Death, Mexican Consulate (Yuma, Arizona), Property insurance, Health insurance, Janitor, Nursing, Birth control, Health

“Can you tell me about cancer care for the undocumented?” I asked Henry during an interview.

Key Points: 
  • “Can you tell me about cancer care for the undocumented?” I asked Henry during an interview.
  • He was a doctor who volunteered his time at a community-based clinic designed exclusively for low-income undocumented migrants.
  • That’s what happens.” As a medical sociologist and expert in health care disparities between noncitizens and citizens, my research explores the many ways that health care and immigration collide.
  • Though some states are working to challenge this, undocumented migrants remain one of the largest uninsured populations in the country.
  • For low-income undocumented migrants, navigating the U.S. health care system involves a number of risks, challenges and consequences that often make them sicker.

Chilling effects: Self-denied care

    • Fearing that health practitioners will out them for their legal status, many migrants decide to forego seeking care altogether.
    • According to the National Immigration Law Center, most health care providers are not obligated to ask about their patients’ legal status.
    • Legally, the institutions of health care and immigration are supposed to operate separately, but this could change.
    • Though migrants will have the option to “decline to answer,” questions about legal status will likely be enough to deter many from seeking care.

Why IDs matter: Waiting for care

    • Rodney’s case was one of many that emerged in my study about how low-income undocumented migrants navigate today’s health care system.
    • When undocumented migrants cannot provide an ID, they are often denied care and begin a trajectory of exacerbated suffering.
    • For some, this means having their long-term care needs relegated to private, medically unaccredited personal care homes.
    • Under the current system, emergency care becomes possible for low-income undocumented migrants without an ID only after their bodies fail.
    • And now, I’m waiting to die.” Health practitioners vow to “do no harm,” but when it comes to immigrant health care, the system is set up in way that legally inhibits them from “doing good.”

Medical deportation: Repatriated by hospitals

    • While the term “deportation” might suggest involvement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, border patrol officials are not involved in medical deportation.
    • Hospitals facilitate medical deportation without any government oversight.
    • The 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act requires hospitals to treat everyone – citizens and noncitizens – in emergency cases.
    • After patients are stabilized, the law also requires hospitals to transfer or discharge patients to “appropriate” medical facilities.

Nova Credit and American Express Expand Partnership to Enable Newcomers from South Korea and Switzerland to Apply for Personal American Express Cards using Credit Passport®

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Personal Finance, Finance, Banking, Professional Services, Other Professional Services, Nova, Dominican Republic, Migration Policy Institute, SVP, Credit, American Express, Partnership

Nova Credit and American Express announced today that they will expand the companies’ successful partnership to cover more immigration corridors to the U.S.

Key Points: 
  • Nova Credit and American Express announced today that they will expand the companies’ successful partnership to cover more immigration corridors to the U.S.
  • Prospective Card Members that are immigrating to the U.S. from South Korea and Switzerland will now have the ability to easily share their international credit report with American Express when applying for a personal American Express credit card.
  • Nova Credit and American Express first began partnering on this industry-first integration in 2019 .
  • By reaching these heavily represented immigrant communities, Nova Credit and American Express are enabling even more newcomers to use their international credit history to apply for personal American Express® credit cards and begin building U.S. credit history, if approved.

WES Celebrates Passage of Bridging the Gap for New Americans Act in U.S. Congress

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Adult, WES, Workforce, Employment, National Immigration Forum, Safety, Forum, Â, Migration Policy Institute, Social, Assistant, Untapped, World, Legislation, World Education Services, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Public policy, New Americans, U.S. Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, Upwardly Global, American Dream, CEO, Central New York, House, National Immigration Law Center, Unemployment, Refugee, We Global, Dignity, Research, Gap, GLOBE, Congress, Education, IMPRINT, Medicine, Management, Public relations, Policy

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week Congress passed the Bridging the Gap for New Americans Act.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week Congress passed the Bridging the Gap for New Americans Act.
  • The Bridging the Gap for New Americans Act seeks to study the factors driving this underemployment, including limited recognition of credentials, barriers to occupational licensing, and uneven access to adult education and workforce development programs.
  • WES is proud to have worked with our partners to support the passage of the Bridging the Gap for New Americans Act.
  • The bipartisan passage of the Bridging the Gap for New Americans Act highlights the enormous potential for immigrants and refugees to strengthen the American workforce and bolster the economy.

World Education Services Announces 16 U.S. Communities Selected to Join Its Skilled Immigrant Integration Program

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Lincoln, Workforce, WES, World Education Services, City, We Global, Social, Education, Organization, State, GLOBE, Leadership, Migration Policy Institute, Color, Adult, Policy, Refugee, Skill, Employment, Medicine, Drug

NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Education Services (WES) today announced the 16 communities selected to join the fifth cohort of its Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP).

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Education Services (WES) today announced the 16 communities selected to join the fifth cohort of its Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP).
  • To be selected for SIIP, communities must be part of a local, regional, or state network of stakeholders that includes immigrant- and refugee-led organizations and communities of color.
  • The Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) offers communities an opportunity to leverage technical assistance from WES and its national partners and to join a network of sites to further their state and local immigrant economic integration initiatives.
  • The SIIP network now consists of 40 member communities representing cities, states, and regions across the U.S.

KUDO Offers Its Multilingual Videoconferencing Platform Free of Charge to NGOs and Volunteer Interpreters Aiding Ukrainian Crisis Relief Efforts

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 28, 2022
Software as a service, Policy, Migration Policy Institute, Diplomacy, Non-governmental organization, KUDO, Al Jazeera, Language, Safety, Communication, Person, Refugee, CEO, Language industry

Recent reports estimate that to date over 150,000 Ukrainian residents have fled their country for safety.

Key Points: 
  • Recent reports estimate that to date over 150,000 Ukrainian residents have fled their country for safety.
  • "At KUDO, we believe in the language of peace and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine," says Fardad Zabetian, CEO and Co-founder of KUDO.
  • As Ukrainians are depending on humanitarian aid, the language barrier can impede vital crisis relief efforts.
  • About KUDO: KUDO is a multilingual meeting SaaS company built around a B2B managed marketplace powered by the largest network of on-demand conference interpreters.

New Professional Development Modules Help All Teachers Meet the Needs of English Learners

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
NPR, ELS, Classroom, Solution, Curriculum, Migration Policy Institute, Student, Population, Cultural competence, PD, ESSA, Program, EL, Ellevate Network, Tutoring, Renewable energy, Medicine

BOSTON, Feb. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help districts meet the needs of a diverse student population, Ellevation has launched new online professional development (PD) modules covering an array of relevant and urgent topics focused on teaching multilingual learners.

Key Points: 
  • BOSTON, Feb. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help districts meet the needs of a diverse student population, Ellevation has launched new online professional development (PD) modules covering an array of relevant and urgent topics focused on teaching multilingual learners.
  • The enhancements will simplify how districtsand their teachersdevelop the expertise to help their multilingual learners acquire linguistic and academic content mastery.
  • They help teachers contextualize their own students' data right within the program," said Teddy Rice, president and co-founder of Ellevation.
  • They offer comprehensive solutions that help districts with EL data and instructional planning, professional learning, and academic language development.

Justice for Migrant Women Launches Nationwide "The Humans Who Feed Us" Project to Celebrate the Essential Workers this Holiday Season

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Narrative, Table, Food chain, Woman, Holiday, Telemundo, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Open Society Foundations, American Diabetes Association, NBC, Cooking, Poultry, Food industry, Immigration, Freedom, Congress, Farmer, Civil and political rights, Travel, Policy, Movement, Migration policy of Azerbaijan, Univision, Loyola University Chicago, Family, Portrait, Center, Dignity, Thought, Human, Bowling Green State University, Social media, Food, Royal Oak Foundation, Economy, Research, University, Partnership, Health, Violence, Loyola University, Education, Sexual harassment, Restaurant, Medicine, Migration Policy Institute, Justice, Animal migration, Race Forward, Awareness, Stanford University, Culture, Ohio State University, Organization, Agriculture, Sex industry

The project will focus on "Celebrating The Humans Who Feed Us" as we lead into the season of big meals and celebrations in the United States.

Key Points: 
  • The project will focus on "Celebrating The Humans Who Feed Us" as we lead into the season of big meals and celebrations in the United States.
  • Justice for Migrant Women is also calling on Congress to pass permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for immigrant essential workers.
  • According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, more than half of frontline meatpacking workers are immigrants.
  • Justice for Migrant Women will count on the support of celebrity chef, author, entrepreneur and TV personality Ingrid Hoffmann to help scale the project nationally.