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Stay connected with International Institute of Buffalo happenings, news, interviews and other resources for the New American community and its supporters.

Sep 22
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Tom Araya: Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

By Education
In celebration of National Hispanic 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 Chilean American metal vocalist and bassist Tom Araya. Tomás Enrique Araya Díaz was born in Viña del Mar, Chile, in 1961. At the age of five, Araya and…
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Sep 19
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IIB Welcomes 35 New Americans from 20 Countries

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 35 New Americans from 20 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at a special U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at the William-Emslie YMCA in downtown Buffalo. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, Canada, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon,…
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Sep 15
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Jaime Escalante: Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

By Education
In celebration of Hispanic 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 trailblazing Bolivian American educator Jaime Escalante. Jaime Escalante was born in La Paz, Bolivia, in 1930. A son of teacher parents, Escalante immigrated to the United States in the…
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Sep 10
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IIB Welcomes 30 New Americans from 17 Countries!

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 30 New Americans from 17 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at a special U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in downtown Buffalo this morning. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Bangladesh, Brazil, Burma, Canada, India, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria,…
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Sep 03
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IIB Welcomes 38 New Americans from 20 Countries!

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 38 New Americans from 20 countries as they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in downtown Buffalo this morning. These New Americans are from: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi, Canada, China, Congo, Germany, India, Iran, Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, and Yemen. Click here to learn…
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Aug 28
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Sign Reads "Update"

August 2025 Newsletter

By Newsletter
The latest from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of our August 2025 Newsletter. Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi writes about how this summer is different from other summer...and not in a good way Refugees of Comedy return! Get your Tickets -- Wednesday, Oct15! Buffalo without Borders recap in photos IIB joins the celebration of the Erie Canal bicentennial…
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Aug 27
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In Case You Missed It! Rizzo-Choi Interviewed on The Rusk Report

By Education, Media Mentions, News
  In case you missed it, Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi recently appeared on the Rusk Report, via Audacy Radio. Rizzo-Choi discusses the International Institute of Buffalo’s 107 years of service in Western New York, as well as the variety of social service programs we offer. She explains what makes refugees unique within the larger framework of different immigration designations and…
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