MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 12, 2018
Buffalo, NY – Following the inappropriate remarks made by the President in a meeting on Immigration Policies, Eva Hassett, executive director of the International Institute of Buffalo, issued the following statement:
“Welcoming those who seek liberty, justice, freedom and safety is core to the idea of America. Just like the founding fathers, and most of our ancestors, immigrants come to America to make new lives in a country where there is opportunity and all are equal, no matter what their race, religion, age, ethnic group or gender identification.
“The International Institute has lived these values for 100 years, welcoming and supporting immigrants from all over the world who drive economic growth and have made WNY the amazing place it is. Diversity and multiculturalism are strengths and improve all of our lives. Without immigrants, our population would decline faster, workforce issues would be more difficult, neighborhoods would be emptier, and our lives less rich.
“We at the International Institute of Buffalo disagree strongly with the implications of the President’s words. We believe every person from every country has value and contributes to the community. We welcome our immigrant and refugee neighbors, value their presence highly and stand with them as they continue to change our region for the better.”
For one hundred years, the International Institute of Buffalo has worked to implement its vision of an inclusive, multicultural community that embraces ALL people.
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About The International Institute of Buffalo
Since 1918 the International Institute of Buffalo has been making Western New York a better place for, and because of, refugees and immigrants. Today the Institute provides critical services to refugees and immigrants, while promoting global understanding and connections throughout the WNY community. The Institute offers refugee resettlement and employment programs; provides services to survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking; translation and interpretation services; global education programs for students, adults and businesses, and two international visitors’ leadership programs.