News

The International Institute of Minnesota condemns the harmful rhetoric that is being used by those in power to dehumanize, vilify, and demean immigrants and refugees. We also oppose the anti-immigration policy changes and immigration enforcement operations that have accompanied the persistent verbal attacks on New Americans by the president’s administration.

We stand with the Somali community, and all immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and across our country, and we are asking you to do the same.

MPR News | Some immigrants in Minnesota have questions after a recent series of Trump administration orders related to immigration. Those decisions included halting all asylum case decisions, plus pausing issuing visas for people from Afghanistan. Jane Graupman, executive director of the International Institute of Minnesota, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to help makes sense of the new orders and how it’s affecting Minnesota.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll learn about:

• Give to the Max Day
• Supporting immigrant entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities
• Food resources for our community
• How to share our newsletter as a trusted resource 
• Spring internship priority deadline

Yana, fled war-torn Ukraine and arrived in Minnesota with a marketing degree, an infant son, and a dream to share a Ukrainian version of shawarma with her new community. Through the Institute’s Entrepreneurship and Professional Leadership Training programs, she launched The Shawarma Co. food truck

Update – While the federal government shutdown has ended and SNAP benefits are being released, we know that food insecurity can arise at any time throughout the year. We have compiled a comprehensive list of food resources available to our clients, students, volunteers, and community members across the Twin Cities

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll learn about:

• Side by Side co-sponsorship initiative 
• Winter coats for New Americans
• Seeking trusted resources and legal counsel for immigration matters
• STEM Resources Fair in November
• Small Business Resource Fair success

The STEM Resource Fair will connect you with programs to help you start your journey into these high-demand fields.

WCCO | An internal federal notice sent by officials at the Department of Health and Human Services and obtained by CBS News, said the Department of Homeland Security “will provide a one-time resettlement support stipend of $2,500 to unaccompanied alien children, 14 years of age and older, who have elected to voluntarily depart the United States as of the date of this notice and moving forward.” WCCO spoke to Jane Graupman, the Institute’s Executive Director.

We’re preparing for the winter ahead and need the community’s help! Imagine arriving in Minnesota as an immigrant or refugee from a warm-weather country like Congo or Ethiopia, having never seen snow. Many of the arrivals we welcome don’t have the winter necessities needed to stay warm. You can help by organizing a winter coat drive for newly arriving families.