National Immigrant Heritage Month is celebrated in June to honor the history and cultures of immigrants to the United States and their contributions to the country.
In Louisville, we will be highlighting Immigrant stories throughout the month with Metro TV.
Introduced in Senate (06/08/2023)
This resolution recognizes June as Immigrant Heritage Month in honor of the contributions immigrants and their children have made to the United States. It also welcomes immigrants presently in the United States and individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States contribute to the health, safety, diversity, and prosperity of the United States.
+ Journeys of Success: Nini Mohamed
Nini Mohamed was born in Somalia and is the oldest in a multi-home family of 19. At 2 months of age, his parents left for Kenya due to civil war and violence. While in Kenya, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) moved him and his family into a refugee camp where he stayed for about five years. In August 2006, at the age of 12 he was resettled in Louisville, Kentucky where he now calls home.
The 2024 Cultural Pass is your passport to creativity! Cultural Pass offers young people ages 0-21 and their families in the Greater Louisville area access to participate in arts and cultural activities provided by over 50 venues, free of charge, from June 1 through August 4, 2024.
The Cultural Pass is designed to inspire, explore, and discover new experiences in our Greater Louisville community!
+ Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is immediately hiring multilingual bus drivers and more
JCPS is hiring!
JCPS is a leading urban school district that provides a high-quality education for 96,000 students (about 1 of every 7 students in Kentucky). JCPS is one of the largest employers in the area. With more than 96,000 students, 14.6 million square feet of building space, 962 buses, and 147 kitchens serving 104,500 meals every school day, They need a highly trained, tight-knit team to keep JCPS on the forefront of academic accomplishment.
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.
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Policy Updates
+ 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.
Only 2 more events remain during this REACH session! Expert Business guidance + Spanish interpretation.
NEW REACH Topic: First time offering – Business Operations!!!
Effective operations are a crucial foundation to establish for strong business growth Who can benefit: Newish or even long-established business owners who could tighten up their business processes or who need to establish consistent processes in how they operate (most of us, to be honest.
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.
Saturday, June 1 (Press conference,12:00 - 12:30 p.m., full event, 10 am - 1:00 p.m.)
The Press Conference to kick off the 11th summer of Cultural Pass, with many community partners will be part of a larger kickoff event with Cultural Pass Venue performances, family friendly vendors, food trucks, and sign ups for Summer Reading and Cultural Pass.
Louisville Metro Government, Fund for the Arts, Arts and Culture Alliance, and Louisville Free Public Library will kick off the 11th year of the city’s Cultural Pass program, which offers FREE admission for students ages 0 - 21 to over 50 arts and cultural venues across Louisville and Southern Indiana. The Pass launches alongside the public libraries’ summer reading initiative–both programs are designed to prevent summer learning loss and inspire young people to engage in their local arts and culture sector.
Louisville Free Public Library, Main Branch. 301 York Street.
+ Come to Americana's annual Summer Festival
Saturday, June 1, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Experience the vibrancy of the community at Americana's Summer Festival. Explore the diverse journeys, cultures, and people that call the Bluegrass home, broadening your understanding of the rich tapestry of culture and heritage and admission is free!
The festival will feature a dynamic lineup of musicians, dancers, food vendors, and artisans from across the city, showcasing the diversity and talent within our community. In addition to the main stage performances and cultural displays, there will be a dedicated kid zone offering activities such as a bounce castle and face painting to entertain young attendees. Iroquois Park, 5216 New Cut Rd.
+ Come to LaCasita for Summer Brunch
Sunday, June 2, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
La Casita is excited to gather the community for their Summer Brunch 2024. Join them for a Caribbean Summer celebration, highlighting all of the beauty and culture that comes from this region. There will be some incredible food coming from all corners of Latin America.
+ Join the World Affairs Council (WAC) at any of their upcoming Summer Series events
June 12 - August 22, 2024
Join the World Affairs Council (WAC) at any of their upcoming Summer Series events! WAC's programming is crafted to cultivate global-mindedness and connectivity in Kentucky and surrounding regions. They focus on creating inclusive and accessible experiences that cultivate transformed leadership among youth, business and community leaders, and educators. Participate in WAC's events and become part of a community dedicated to fostering global understanding and belonging for all.
+ Join the Office of Planning Middle Housing Walking Tours
Saturday, June 15th, 3:00 p.m.
Join the Louisville Metro Office of Planning for a Middle Housing guided walking tour in Old Louisville. Discover various housing options available in the city for you and your family. The tour is conducted entirely in Spanish and It's free. Space is limited, reserve your spot today!
Magnolia Park, 1407 S. 2nd St., Louisville, KY 40208
Please provide the following details to reserve a spot: First name, Last name, phone number, email, and number of people attending. call to register: Cathy Gomez - (502) 574-6502.
+ Celebrate Juneteenth with the Office of Equity and the Juneteenth Jubilee Commission
June 8 -19, 2024
For the fourth consecutive year, Metro Government will coordinate and host Louisville’s official Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration to highlight the historical importance of Juneteenth. Mayor Greenberg announced this year’s theme is “Our Story, America’s Glory”. The 2024 Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration runs from June 8 to June 19 and includes numerous events from Agape Day to Amplify Songs of Justice to The Journey Walking Tour. Metro Government is partnering with various organizations on these events including the Frazier History Museum, (Un)KNOWN project, Waterfront Development Corp, the Jewish Federation of Louisville, Louisville National Pan-Hellenic Council, Dare to Care, the Kentucky Opera, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky.
For more information on the lineup of events,click here.
+ Attend the REACH small business workshop
Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Shaking the Money Tree: Anyone looking for strategies to fund their business growth! There are many different ways to fund your business’s growth… from bootstrapping and growing your sales, to securing business loans to angel investment…Come learn about a variety of business funding strategies, and mingle with some of our city’s small business funders.
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.
Starting in July, come to one or all of our Language Cafe sessions! This is a perfect chance to pick up words/phrases in a new language and meet new friends. Each session date below is open to the community and hosted by various immigrant-owned coffee shops.
July 23 & 25: Safai Coffee at Logan Street Market, the Kitchen
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 and Immigrant Heritage 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
It was a pleasure hosting Ms. Violeta Higuera during her recent visit to the Office for Immigrant Affairs as part of her senior work world project. During this time, she shadowed our team with a keen interest in understanding our work and its impact.
Ms. Higuera's aspiration to give back to the community that embraced her, coupled with her dreams of global influence, reflect her admirable commitment to making a difference. Whether through international collaboration or serving as an ambassador for diverse communities, she is destined to leave a significant mark on the world stage.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Violeta and wish her the very best as she embarks on her college journey and endeavors beyond.
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
