In case you missed it, WIVB-TV Channel 4 recently asked Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi to discuss the Biden Administration’s new Executive Order on immigration. The order restricts access to asylum, which would take effect when U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions surpass a weekly average of 2,500 per day. The illegal crossings must go below a weekly average of 1,500 per day…
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The Department of Motor Vehicles Mobile Unit recently joined our employment team to make applying and processing DMV paperwork easier and accessible for our clients. The new partnership seamlessly links our newly arrived refugee clients with DMV representatives to get various applications completed quickly and efficiently on-site. Many of the transactions offered at DMV brick-and-mortar locations can also be conducted…
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Update: We are no longer holding open donation hours on site. To coordinate your drop offs please contact our Donations Coordinator Cara at: donations@iibuff.org or call (716)883-1900 extension 329. In June, we expect to resettle several new #refugee families. We'll also have several small and individual cases that are bound by limited funding. From bed linens and umbrellas, to large…
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In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who've helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Emmy Award-winning actor Steven Yeun. Known professionally as Steven Yeun, Yeun Sang-Yeop was born in 1983 in South Korea. At four years old, he immigrated…
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In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who've helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight women's basketball pioneer and Basketball Hall of Fame member Senda Berenson. Senda Valvrojenski was born in 1868 in Butrimonys (in present-day Lithuania). At 7 years old, Senda and her family…
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In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Olympic Champion and "father of surfing," Duke Kahanamoku. Duke Kahanamoku, born in 1890 in Hawaii, was a true product of his heritage. A native Hawaiian of Polynesian descent,…
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Mark Rothko: Self Portrait In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who've helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Russian American and preeminent abstract artist Mark Rothko. Born in Russia in 1903, Marcus Rothkowitz was the youngest of four siblings. Due to programs targeting Jews in neighboring communities, his father, a pharmacist,…
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In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight South Korean American Chef Kristin Kish. Kristin Kish was born in December 1983 in Seoul, South Korea. After spending her first four months in different…
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NFTA representatives along with IIB's Employment team on site during our Job Club job fair The International Institute of Buffalo is teaming up with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). Recruiters and NFTA employees stopped by our headquarters recently to speak to IIB Job Club and Career Club clients about available employment opportunities. The collaboration marks an exciting chapter to our…
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In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who've helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Romanian American Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. Eliezer Wiesel was born in 1928 in Sighet, Romania, a brother to three sisters. The government forced his family to live in an impoverished ghetto following Hungary's annexation of Sighet…
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