News

This World Refugee Day we celebrate with the story of a new arrival and his mentor as they bond over engineering, culture and hope while building a new life in Minnesota.

On June 4, the president issued an executive order restricting travel to 19 countries. The International Institute of Minnesota condemns this travel ban. When worldwide displacement is at an all-time high, this disproportionately impacts vulnerable people who are experiencing humanitarian crises or escaping from active conflicts. The impact of the travel ban will be felt by refugees and U.S. citizens who are separated from their family members prolonging separation for an indefinite period of time.

Get a glimpse into the internship experience at the Institute! Read on to hear from one of our 2025 participants as she shares reflections about what she learned.

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

• A legacy of welcoming: 50 years of refugee resettlement at the Institute
• Client story: Becoming a Nurse Feels Like “Freedom”
• Medical Career Advancement graduates 
• Volunteer opportunity: Breakfast with Dietary Aide students
• Photos from our second annual fundraising event, New Americans New Beginnings 

Watch the story of Esme, a client of the International Institute of Minnesota, whose perseverance led her from being a non-English speaker, to advancing her education and career to become a registered nurse at a local hospital.

Read about the the Institute’s 50-year history of refugee resettlement from the beginning. As we honor this anniversary, we recognize the legacy and contributions of more than 26,000 refugees sponsored by the Institute since 1975 and that of other refugees who arrived through other charitable organizations and means.

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

• Relicensing success for internationally trained physicians
• Volunteer Awareness Month
• Michael Donahue’s retirement
• Student story: A partnership through entrepreneurship
• Summer enrollment open for College Readiness Academy

We’re making strides in supporting International Medical Graduates in becoming licensed physicians in the U.S. This year, we have matched 11 people with residencies, for a total of 21 Institute clients working toward becoming fully licensed physicians in Minnesota. Read on to learn about one of our clients, Dr. Azar Maluki, and about the barriers internationally trained physicians face when seeking to relicense in the U.S.

For nearly three decades, Michael Donahue brought his compassion, knowledge and heart for social justice to work at the International Institute of Minnesota. Now, as he retires as the Institute’s associate director, our staff is saying farewell to one of our longest-serving and most beloved staff members.