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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.

In Case You Missed It– Jennifer Rizzo-Choi Appears on On Target with Penny Wolfgang

By Media Mentions
Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo, Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, discussed the business case for why immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are good for Western New York during a recent interview with Penny Wolfgang. If you missed it, here it is! Learn more about how New Americans are good for the business community and the economy, click here.     
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IIB Welcomes 33 New Americans from 17 Countries!

By News
We were honored to welcome 33 New Americans from 17 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in downtown Buffalo this morning. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled:  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, China, Eritrea, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Congo, Mexico, Mongolia, Philippines, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Vietnam.…
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In Case You Missed it: IIB Talks New Executive Order on Immigration with WIVB-TV Channel 4

By Education, Media Mentions
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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County Clerk Drives Traffic to IIB With DMV Mobile Unit

By News
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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Donations Urgently Needed: New Refugee Families Arriving in June

By Donations
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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Good News

May 2024 Newsletter

By Newsletter
  The latest from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of our May 2024 Newsletter Get more information about: News on where we will be in the community from Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi The results of our Community World Trivia Competition! Our recognition of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Our recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month Welcoming…
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Steven Yeun: Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

By Education, History
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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Senda Berenson: Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month

By History, News
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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Duke Kahanamoku: Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

By Education, History
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

Mark Rothko: Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month

By History, News
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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