Remember 2017? Travel bans, closing our border with Mexico, and abolishing humanitarian norms in the immigration process are just some things that characterized President Trump’s first administration. The pandemic contributed to making things difficult for immigrants and refugees.

IIB successfully made it through the difficult years of 2017-2021, but in the first few months of this new term, it is safe to say that no one suspected it would be as challenging as it has been.

While exclaiming that the foreign-born should come here legally, the Trump administration has:

So far, this administration seems defiant in the face of decisions from federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court.

As the executive director of the International Institute of Buffalo, an immigration attorney, a citizen, and a mother, I can tell you these efforts are misguided and, in some cases, illegal and violate our Constitution.

If you find yourself nodding in agreement and want to help immigrants and refugees, please find your representatives in Congress and let them know how you feel. This is how our republic works.

Waiting for another person to do it is not enough, and don’t assume your representative will automatically act as you want. The quickest way to do that is to call them.

Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, 
Executive Director

It was a rollicking night of trivia and fun! This year’s Community World Trivia saw the unseating of a multiyear championship team! The Bird Brains (pictured above) unseated two-time champs Sherlock Homies to be crowned “Buffalo’s Most Globally Smart!”  Get the details on all the winners!  

Income from this event supports our education programs, which bring global perspectives to WNY and a better understanding of how what happens beyond our borders impacts us here at home. Thanks to everyone who supported and participated this year, especially our sponsors, Roswell Park and Buffalo Limousine.

Join the people who are adding Bluesky to their social media choices. While you are there, remember to follow us!

In case you missed it, Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi recently stopped by the Buffalo Toronto Public Media NPR to chat with “What’s Next?” anchor Jay Moran on how recent federal policy, including the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), impacts Western New York and IIB operations. Rizzo-Choi also touched on the positive community response and broke down the differences between different immigration designations.

In honor of Arab American History Month, we recognized the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry.

Thanks to the many people who contribute to making Western New York a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees. Every month we take a moment to acknowledge some who help us in our mission. Here it is, in case you missed it.

Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi was the guest speaker this month at a special U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at Iroquois High School. Welcomed were 55 New Americans from 25 countries. They originally hailed from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burma, Canada, China, Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, Italy, Jamaica, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, and Yemen.

In an additional special ceremony at the YMCA in West Seneca this month, we joined guest speakers Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Assemblymember Jonathan D. Rivera to welcome 30 New Americans from 20 countries. These new American citizens were originally from Bangladesh, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Canada, China, Cuba, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Somalia, South Korea, Tanzania, and Yemen.

Thanks to the 59 volunteers and interns who spent 716 combined hours of direct client support and helping with one of our year's biggest events!

We recently started two programs to connect volunteers with recently arrived refugees. Our new Conversation Club program brings volunteers to meet with foreign-born community members of all backgrounds for casual English practice. This ongoing program will be held at the Institute every Monday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

Along with Conversation Club, we have launched our new Employment Buddies program. The job search process is tough enough, even for native-born Americans; it can be a tremendous hurdle for initial resettlement. This new program will help both recently arrived refugees and previously resettled clients who need an extra hand.

If you want to participate in either of these programs, just let us know.

After waiting over two years, one of our Afghan clients was approved for his green card this month. At the same time, the government approved his petition to bring his wife and children to America.  

Along with assisting our current clientele, we signed on 13 Ukrainian, Congolese, and Afghan clients. The work varied from simple employment authorization documentation renewals to more in-depth, complex examinations of asylum. Our focus has recently shifted to assisting Ukrainian and Congolese clients because of the ongoing violence in their countries.

Contact us if you have any questions! 

The Employment Services team continues its valuable services to help foreign-born job seekers in Western New York advance their careers and achieve long-term success.

Another successful round of Job Club sessions has concluded. Fifteen clients graduated from the April session, and a new group is already enrolled for the upcoming month. Job Club is a unique program designed to equip clients with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce through a series of interactive workshops.

Meanwhile, the Professional Pathways program supports internationally trained job seekers pursuing careers in their professional fields. So far this quarter, 22 clients enrolled in the program, and six have already secured employment.

Get more information on how our Employment Services team helps build the local economy and trains people to be exceptional employees.

In April, we welcomed two groups of international visitors through the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). These visitors connected with many local resources to share best practices.

Visitors from France studied preserving World War II narratives through immersive education, meeting with representatives from The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, the Buffalo Jewish Federation, and Williamsville East High School. They also participated in a workshop with the Anne Frank Project at Buffalo State.

Visitors from Australia, India, and Japan studied advancing STEM, meeting representatives from Roswell Park, Health Sciences Charter School, the Collaborative Center for Social Innovation, and the University at Buffalo’s Accessibility Resources. They also enjoyed a networking event at UB’s Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.

This month, we held a health information on stress management for IIB’s Job Club participants. Health information sessions provide resources to local refugee clients to navigate the American health system and encourage everyday wellness. Also, this month, we held a global communication training session for Leadership Buffalo about communication styles and cultural challenges.

Learn more about how our International Exchanges and Education team contributes to greater knowledge and understanding in our community.   

The Interpreting & Translation team recently received 1,179 requests for interpreting services in 41 languages. The team completed 129 individual translation projects as well.

Notably, the Institute has supported language access for the Buffalo Sewer Authority's Queen City Clean Waters project. Our team translated informational flyers and provided interpreters for town hall meetings for the communities affected by this undertaking. They will also be on hand for future meetings.

Recently, the Interpreting & Translation team hosted a training for staff interpreters of one of Buffalo’s leading medical providers. IIB’s Mirvet Al Bassam, coached linguists from several different language groups on the ethics and industry standards of interpreting. Participants engaged in four hours of customized training and analyzed distinct scenarios to help them in their work. After the training, participants had much stronger interpreting skills, increased confidence in their roles, and a solid understanding of interpreting best practices.

Currently, we are looking for linguists in the following languages: Pashto, Somali, Tamil, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

For more information on professional development for your multi-lingual staff or to become a contracted linguist with us, contact languagerecruitment@iibuff.org. 

Learn more about our Interpreting & Translation services.

When the new administration took office, it stopped the program that allowed refugees to come to America. Since there are no new refugees in the pipeline, the federal money that we use to integrate refugees into our community has stopped. This month, we closed out the last of our clients in that program.

We are now helping foreign-born people integrate into our community with services funded through The New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program (NYSESRP). Our case workers have been busy supporting the large population of immigrants and refugees already in our community, serving those who have been in Buffalo anywhere from three months up to five years who still may need support and guidance to become self-sufficient. 

We have seen an increase in walk-ins for this program, serving over 130 clients; our referrals steadily increase daily! 

Click here to understand better how immigrants and refugees help our community.

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