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ANNOUNCEMENT

Statement on the President’s Attacks on the Somali Community in Minnesota

The International Institute of Minnesota condemns this 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.

Please reach out to your elected officials and let them know you stand with immigrants and refugees and do not agree with the president and his administration’s hateful rhetoric and policies targeting the Somali community. We have included a sample script.

More Articles and Resources

July 2025 Updates

Jul 17, 2025
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll learn about:

Citizenship’s life-changing protection

Afghan client stories of first American jobs

Volunteer opportunities

Birthright citizenship update
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Minnesota Homeownership Center: Network Homeownership Advisors Podcast

Jul 17, 2025

In this episode of the Welcome Home podcast, Bill Gray of the Minnesota Homeownership Center sits down with three of Network Homeownership Advisors, including Institute Financial Coach, Stephen Sengendo to discuss their work in honor of Homeownership Month.

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How an Afghan Couple Found their First American Jobs

Jul 14, 2025

Discover how Vida and Zabihullah, Afghan newcomers to Minnesota, overcame language barriers and cultural challenges to build a new life through support from the International Institute of Minnesota.

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Priyanka and Sarban’s Family Citizenship Story

Jul 01, 2025

Priyanka and Sarban’s family’s path to U.S. citizenship highlights the life-changing benefits of naturalization and how parents can pass it along to their children through derivative citizenship. Their story showcases how support from organizations like the Institute can help eligible immigrants overcome barriers and achieve their dreams of becoming New Americans.

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Q&A on Birthright Citizenship

Jun 27, 2025

We understand that immigrants in Minnesota may have questions about birthright citizenship following the decision by the Supreme Court on June 27. This is what we know currently.

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June 2025 Updates

Jun 20, 2025
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll learn about:

World Refugee Day client story about mentorship

Nursing Assistants Day and the most recent nursing assistant graduates

Seeking sponsorships for Small Business Resource Fair for Immigrants

Current volunteer openings

New Americans Campaign: Make an early gift

Institute denounces travel ban as harmful to refugees and families

Find us at Twin Cities Pride
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World Refugee Day 2025

Jun 19, 2025

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.

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Statement on Travel Ban

Jun 09, 2025

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.

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Intern Reflections Spring 2025

May 28, 2025

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.

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