News

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

• Support Institute through new partnership album ‘MaximumMN’
• Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
• Citizenship Day: Louis’ Story
• Small Business Resource Fair: September 25

September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. We have several staff members at the Institute who identify as Hispanic or Latino who shared what their heritage means to them and their work. 

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Louis spent nearly two decades in a refugee camp in neighboring Zambia before he and his family were resettled in Minnesota in 2019. Six years later, with help from the Institute’s immigration team, Louis became a U.S. citizen. “[I was] over the moon about getting citizenship. It was a privilege that day to become an American. It was a dream come true,” he said about the experience.

Bring Me The News | Sub Pop Records is releasing a mutual aid compilation with an eye on Minnesota. The compilation is a benefit for the International Institute of Minnesota, a nonprofit that offers a wide variety of services to refugees and immigrants.

The New Yorker | Michael Cavlan had settled into a routine of patrolling his neighborhood by car most mornings when, early on January 7th, he received an alert on his phone informing him about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near his house in Powderhorn, in South Minneapolis.

Our Summer 2026 interns shared their experience with us on what this internship meant to them and what they learned. Read more in this Intern Q&A Reflection! Also, learn more about future internship opportunities at the Institute.

Spokesman Recorder | President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” or H.R. 1, made several consequential changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), through which low-income people can access food support.

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

• New Immigration Services walk-in hours
• Parking updates during Minnesota State Fair
• Volunteer Spotlight
• Small Business Resource Fair: September 25
• Breakfast Circle: September 18
• Submit public comments on increasing citizenship application fees

Kevin Harding and Anita Terry are a dynamic husband and wife duo who are regular volunteers at the Institute. They volunteer in several programs and classes, including refugee services, citizenship, entrepreneurship, employment assistance, and more. Learn more in this question-and-answer series about what inspires and motivates Kevin and Anita.