The Office for Immigrant Affairs recently had the pleasure of meeting a delegation from France to discuss language access. Monica Lakhwani, language access coordinator for the department presented to the delegation show casing all of the programs and access Louisville Metro Government has to offer. This delegation was a guest of World Affairs Council.
+ Commemorating National Arab American Heritage Month
In April 2021, President Biden declared April National Arab American Heritage Month to recognize the 3.5 million Arab Americans that exemplify “so much of what our country stands for: hard work, resilience, compassion, and generosity."
Dr. Faye Camahalan was born and raised in Cavite, Philippines, a province on the outskirts of Manila. She remembers applying for her tourist visa to the United States with no clear intention of remaining, her visa was actually denied the first time. During the second visa application, she took an interview letter from Indiana University Southeast (IUS). That application and interview turned into a work visa which has led to her citizenship and her stay in the United States.
+ Website Globalization Review Gap Analysis Service
U.S. Commercial Service offices in Louisville and Lexington are offering KY companies the Website Globalization Review (WGR) Gap Analysis. This service provides technical and strategic assessment of a business’s ecommerce sales channel efforts. This is a SEO diagnostic service designed to help you acquire more international consumers online.
+ CFPB Report Identifies Financial and Privacy Risks to Consumers in Video Gaming Marketplaces
Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report examining the growth of financial transactions in online video games and virtual worlds.
The report explores how these platforms increasingly resemble traditional banking and payment systems, the lack of support that these platforms provide to consumers, and how these platforms assemble gamers’ personal and behavioral data.
+ Récits Francophones au Coeur de Amériques: The only U.S. podcast hosted in French
Patrick Litanga, assistant professor of international relations and political science at Eastern Kentucky University, and Emeritus Professor James (Jim) Natsishost a podcas, Récits Francophones au Coeur de Amériques. Roughly translatable as “Francophones Tales in the Heart of America.”
These guys are proud that they are currently the only podcast conducted entirely in French in the US.They consider Récits Francophones as Louisville’s contribution to the francophone experience in the US. They have been active since August 2021 and publish biweekly-so far they have published 70 episodes.
Their conversations tackle a variety of topics, including the bourbon industry in Kentucky, the Derby, the Alliance Francophone of Louisville, French Movies Festival at the University of Louisville, etc. They also speak about immigrant communities as well the experience of American Francophones and Creoles of the South and the American-Francophones of the North.
The Offic for Immigrant Affairs now has an Instagram page! Add us @immigrantaffairslou to stay up to date on all things Immigrant Affairs!
+ Get Free Tax Preparation Services
Metro government officials and community partners kicked off the start of tax season Friday, February 2, with a press event announcing the start of free tax preparation assistance for eligible residents.
The Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides trained, IRS-certified volunteers who offer free tax services at 15 sites across the city. VITA is available to individuals and families who earned less than $66,000 in 2023.
Since its launch in 2001, the VITA program has helped more than 143,000 Louisville tax filers. Last year, VITA volunteers processed more than 7,700 returns, adding more than $12 million to the local economy, including nearly $2 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to residents.
Eligible Louisville residents can make an appointment to visit these VITA sites for in-person free tax filing. Most sites use convenient drop-off services.
Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr.
Bates, 728 East Lampton St.
Edison Center, 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Ste 201
Family Scholar House U of L, 403 Reg Smith Circle
Family Scholar House Riverport, 3311 Cathe Dykstra Way
Goodwill Resource Center, 909 E. Broadway
Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway
Oldham County LaGrange Library, 308 Yager Avenue (LaGrange)
Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St.
Shively City Hall, 3920 Dixie Hwy.
St. Vincent de Paul Family Success Center, 1029 S Preston Hwy.
Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane
United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 State St.
Wesley House Community Services, 5114 Preston Hwy.
+ Apply for Community Foundation of Louisville Grants
The Community Foundation of Louisville has launched its Sparking Change Mini-Grants Program.
According to a release, the foundation will award three $1,000 grants each month supported by each of the foundation’s Fund for Louisville Action Areas: Louisville’s People, Louisville’s Prosperity, and Louisville’s Well-Being.
The World Affairs Council is excited to announce the first Leadership Trip for Sister Cities to Mainz, Germany in 2024! Join them from September 7-13, 2024 to commemorate and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the enduring city relationship between Mainz and Louisville.
Embark on a unique journey with the delegation tour of Mainz and unlock of a world of opportunities, culture, and connections. A variety of discount options are available.
SAVE YOUR SPOT! Space is limited. For more details, contact Lydia Lewis, Sister Cities Coordinator, or Xiao Yin Zhao, Executive Director for corporate inquiries.
+ Become an International Home Hospitality Host
Interested in becoming a local resource for international exchange groups? Other opportunities to engage with delegates include attending mixers and forums, or hosting a dinner or homestay. If you are interested, get in touch with Madison Brooks, the Exchange Program Manager, at madison.brooks@worldkentucky.org for more information.
+ Sign up for LENSAlert in Multiple Languages
Sign up to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone!
Text "LENSAlert" to 67283
Policy Updates
+ USCIS Fee Rule Reminder
-Earlier this year, USCIS released afinal rule announcing changes to its fee schedule. The new rule creates different pricing structures based on method of filing (paper v. online) for certain applications and expands the eligibility for a fee waiver for certain applications.
-New fees will go into effect on April 1, 2024. Applications and petitions postmarked after this date must include the new fees or USCIS will not accept them.
On April 1, 2024, the application to apply for citizenship will be updated to reflect two important changes:
An option to request an original or replacement Social Security number (SSN) card and update one’s immigration status with the Social Security Administration without having to visit an SSA office.
A third gender option, “X,” defined as Another Gender Identity. Individuals who applied for citizenship prior to this change may request to update their gender on or after April 1, 2024.
NOTE: This form will be affected by the fee increases discussed above. Anyone filing an application for citizenship starting April 1, 2024, should use the most recent version of this form to avoid any potential delays in the processing of their case. The most recent version of this form can be found online atUSCIS.
Streamlined Process for Initial EADs for Refugees
On March 12, 2024, USCIS announced a streamlined process that will help Refugees entering the United States receive their work permit shortly after they enter the country. NOTE: this announcement only applies to individuals who have been formally deemed refugees by the United States government. This does not apply to all new arrivals.
Under U.S. law, refugees can start working as soon as they arrive in the U.S. but need an employment authorization card to prove they are able to work. To get this work permit, refugees must fill out an application and submit it to USCIS.
The new streamlined process will be fully automated and will not require refugees to submit an application for a work permit. Instead, USCIS will create a digital work permit for each refugee. Once the refugee enters the United States, USCIS will adjudicate and deliver the work permit within one to two weeks.
This change will put work permits in the hands of refugees significantly quicker than the traditional process.
+ Updated Parole period for Ukranian citizens
Effective February 27, certain Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who were paroled into the U.S. on or after February 11, 2022, will be able to apply for a new period of parole - also known as re-parole, for up to two years. This form of parole comes as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the extraordinary circumstances in Ukraine continue to exist today. Eligible applicants should submit form I-131 with the appropriate filing fee through a USCIS online account. Once approved for re-parole, Ukrainians can then apply for an initial or renewal EAD with USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine/re-parole-process-for-certain-ukrainian-citizens-and-their-immediate-family-members
+ Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Palestinians
On February 14, 2024, President Biden announced and authorized Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Palestinians. This announcement means that for the next 18 months, eligible individuals will not be deported to Palestine. Around 6,000 Palestinians are eligible to benefit from DED designation nationally. The main eligibility criterion for DED for Palestine is continuous residency in the U.S. since February 14, 2024. Other eligibility criteria related to public safety and national security. Individuals with questions about eligibility criteria should consult with an immigration attorney. DED announcements often coincide with suspension of certain requirements related to F-1 visas (student visas), designed to make it easier for students to comply with the requirements of their visa. Students who have questions about whether these changes might affect their F-1 visa should reach out to their campus contact or consult with an immigration attorney. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/02/14/memorandum-on-the-deferred-enforced-departure-for-certain-palestinians/
+ USCIS Begins New Process for Paying Application Fees at a Field Office
We will start requiring most applicants, attorneys, and accredited representatives to pay the fees for forms filed at a field office by mail or remotely, instead of in person at a field office.
What You Need to Know We receive most of our immigration benefit requests through a Lockbox or a service center. However, in limited instances, we may receive a USCIS form through a local USCIS office. To file a form or pay a fee at a local office, applicants, petitioners, and requestors must schedule an appointment in advance with the USCIS Contact Center and physically visit a field office to make certain application fee payments. We are changing that process.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2024, there will be three methods for paying fees to USCIS for field office filings:
By mail with credit or debit card. Applicants, petitioners, or requestors may mail a check or Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, to the field office and no longer need to make an appointment and appear in person.
Emergency Form I-131 filings. Applicants submitting Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with an emergency advance parole request must still apply in person, after making an appointment through the USCIS Contact Center, with their form packet (including any applicable payment and supporting documentation) and pay their application fee by credit card with Form G-1450 or check at the field office once approved.
+ Department of Homeland Security Extends Temporary Protected Status for several countries
On December 13, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) re-registration periods for individuals from the following countries: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan. Re-registration periods have been extended from 60 days to the full designation extension period for each country. Existing TPS beneficiaries from these countries should re-register during their respective country’s re-registration period.
El Salvador is currently open and now runs through March 9, 2025;
Haiti is currently open and now runs through Aug. 3, 2024;
Honduras is currently open and now runs through July 5, 2025;
Nepal is currently open and now runs through June 24, 2025;
Nicaragua is currently open and now runs through July 5, 2025;
Sudan is currently open and now runs through April 19, 2025.
Events
+ Attend the REACH small business workshop
Saturday, April 6, 2024 9:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
The Office for Immigrant Affairs, Louisville's Office of Economic Development, and Kentucky Small Business Development Center in Louisville invite you to participate in a small business workshop. Learn how to manage finances for your small business.
Join Waterfront Park at the Big Four Lawn for an unforgettable experience during the solar eclipse. While Louisville may not be in the path of totality, we will witness a mesmerizing deep partial eclipse. Enjoy a day filled with engaging activities, various vendors, food and drink concessions and music! Don’t forget to grab your eclipse glasses, generously provided by kynect, for a safe and stunning view of this celestial spectacle.
Start of partial eclipse: 1:49pm EDT Maximum eclipse (99.25%): 3:07pm EDT End of partial eclipse: 4:22pm EDT
Location: Big Four Lawn (under the disc) 1001 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40206
+ WAC discussion: What would it take to democratize American Foreign Policy?
Tuesday, April 9, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Join World Affairs Council for a discussion of the movement to create a truly democratic foreign policy by engaging ordinary Americans in world affairs.David Allen is a historian of US foreign relations and a former fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School. International relations barely surface in election campaigns, and policymakers take little input from Congress. For much of the twentieth century, officials, activists, and academics worked to foster an informed public that would embrace participation in foreign policy as a civic duty. Moderated by Dr. Charles Ziegler, Louisville Committee on Foreign Relations and University of Louisville.
The University of Louisville Cancer Research Center is looking for participants for a focus group discussion led by women from their research team. Questions asked will relate to your understanding of breast cancer screening recommendations and about issues that make it challenging to get a mammogram. Finally, you will be asked to complete a brief survey related to mammograms and health behaviors.
The Office for Immigrant Affairs, Louisville's Office of Economic Development, and Kentucky Small Business Development Center in Louisville invite you to participate in a small business workshop. Learn how to manage finances for your small business.
Accounting/Budget, Cash Flow Management, Managing a Business
April 24, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm (various starting times)
Enjoy an evening of Spanish charm at Cured Restaurant and Salumeria Paella Night. The Paella will be cooked in the Rose Patio at Cured Restaurant and Salumeria by guest Chef Gustavo Perez, who has won National Awards in Paella cooking. Guests are welcome to visit the Paella station throughout the night. The ticket includes a glass of wine and cost is $55.00. Tickets can be purchased on Open Table link below.
Jack Harlow has just announces GAZEBO Festival, a music festival at Louisville’s Waterfront Park. The line-up also includes James Blake (DJ Set), Omar Apollo, PinkPantheress, Vince Staples and more.
The two-day event will feature 26 acts on two stages and highlight some of Louisville’s local food and culture. The Waterfront Park location uniquely marries the energy of downtown Louisville with more than 85 acres of green space on the Ohio River. Tickets for the festival will go on sale Friday, March 8, 2024 at 10 a.m.
The Global Louisville Directory is an interactive online tool that connects the community with institutions, businesses, organizations, and services that speak their language and have a higher understanding of cultural competency structures that reduce anxiety for foreign-born consumers and increase their level of comfort to thrive as a valued resident of Louisville.
Click HERE to register your business, organanization, or service on the Global Louisville Directory.
Global Lou Highlights
There are many authentic restaurants owned by Louisvillians who brought their delicious cuisine to our city. Each week, we highlight some of the great restaurants and grocery stores that celebrate our city's diversity. Here are some restaurants to try:
Safai Coffee, 900 E. Kentucky St., 502-222-8922
Kiwa Coffee, 2235 Frankfort Ave., 502-384-2151
Abol coffee, 102 ½ Cannons Lane, 502-384-9430
Register your business here HERE to add to the list of international businesses!
Image of the Week
+ REACH participant and business owner Patricia Kim spoke at Mayor Greenberg's Weekly News Update this week highlighting the REACH small business workshops.
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