+ Congratulations to Amos Izerimana for being a JFCS Mosaic Awards Honoree
Congratulations to Amos Izerimana, Director of International and Immigrant Affairs for Louisville Metro Office for Immigrant Affairs, on being recognized as a 2024 JFCS Louisville MOSAIC Award Honoree. Your dedication to fostering equity and inclusion within our community is commendable. Your tireless advocacy serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring positive change and exemplifying the values of unity and compassion. This honor is well-deserved, and we applaud your ongoing commitment to building bridges and fostering understanding among diverse groups.
+ Adelante Hispanic Achievers celebrates largest graduating cohort of high school seniors
On April 25th, Adelante Hispanic Achievers celebrated the largest cohort of seniors graduating from their Mentoring & Enrichment program. Congratulations to all the graduates and their families!
Adelante Hispanic Achievers is an organization whose mission is to "Empower Latinx youth to achieve their dreams and contribute as creative and educated world citizens." This is achieved through programs that focus on educational preparedness, career exploration, community service, cultural awareness, and personal and social development.
Adelante students excel with an average GPA of 3.14, an overall school attendance of 96%, and 98% of graduates going to college with scholarships.
A huge thank you to Adelante staff, sponsors, and volunteers.
Photos by: Nik Vechery
+ May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month!
We're celebrating Asian American Heritage month! Join us in recognizing the rich cultures, traditions and contributions of Asian Americans to our diverse society. Let;s honor their achievements and the vibrant tapestry they weave into the fabric of Louisville, America and the world!
+ Journeys of Success: Moon-he Biak
Moon-he Baik was born in Seoul, Korea and briefly lived in Hong Kong as a teenager. Baik’s primary language is Korean and English is her second language, which she learned after coming to the United States. In Korea, Baik majored in interior design which has helped guide her journey in the United States.
Help us congratulate Vivian Marin, program manager on her first incredible year with the Office for Immigrant Affairs! The department would not be what it is today without her hard work and dedication!
We want to thank her for the energy and care she puts in everyday...Happy Anniversary, Vivian!
Vivian is from Panama, enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and dancing.
+ Child Care Aware of Kentucky is hiring
Child Care Aware of Kentucky at the University of Kentucky has posted an opening for another Jefferson Region Health and Safety Coach position. The individual in this position serves in the Jefferson regional office of Child Care Aware of Kentucky and ensures that early care and education providers in Jefferson County receive individualized Technical Assistance to assist with Kentucky child care regulatory compliance and license deficiencies.
The link below contains more information about our current opening for a Health and Safety Coach in the Jefferson Region of Child Care Aware of Kentucky.
+ 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.
The Office for Immigrant Affairs now has an Instagram page! Add us @immigrantaffairslou to stay up to date on all things Immigrant Affairs!
+ 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.
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, May 18, 2024 10:30 A.M. - 11:30 P.M.
The Office for Immigrant Affairs, Metro's Office of Economic Development, and Kentucky Small Business Development Center in Louisville invite you to participate in a small business workshop, Business Start-up and Preplanning is this session topic.
The Guide to Entrepreneurship event is designed for new business owners. This workshop offers an in-depth and comprehensive overview of the major planning areas required to launch a new business successfully.
This event is an ideal learning opportunity for individuals who have never been in business and want to gain a thorough understanding of what is involved in starting a business. The program will be conducted in a bilingual format, with presentations in both English and Spanish.
Additionally, workbooks will be available in Arabic, French, Somali, and Swahili to ensure accessibility for a wider audience.
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.
Louisville Visitor Center is having a ribbon-cutting at the Louisville Visitors Center. There will be remarks from Louisville Tourism CEO, Cleo Battle and Mayor Craig Greenberg. Music, refreshments, and a good time for all will be provided.
+ Come to Gazebofest at Waterfront Park
May 25 - 26, time TBD
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 celebrating AAPI Month!
Double Dragon II, 3135 S. 2nd. St. 502-367-6668
Joy Luck, 1285 Bardstown Rd., 502-238-3070
August Moon, 2269 Lexington Rd., 502-456-6569
Sarang, 1908 Eastern Pkwy., 502-709-4282
Register your business here HERE to add to the list of international businesses!
Image of the Week
Congratulations to Amos Izerimana who lives and loves the work he does!
Hi, you are receiving this email because we added you to our mailing list as a valuable partner and member of the community. You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking on the subscriber services link. Please do not reply to this account since we won't be able to see your emails. You can contact us at: immigrantaffairs@louisvilleky.gov
