Upcoming Events
Celebrate Día de los Muertos Festival in Louisville
 Celebrate Día de los Muertos with incredible performances, family-friendly activities, and delicious pan de muerto and hot chocolate! This is a festival full of life, culture, and tradition.
This year, we will have a spectacular Catrinas parade you don’t want to miss, and together we’ll remember our loved ones in this extraordinary celebration.
When: Saturday, November 2 from 4-11 p.m.
Where: 445 E. Market Street
Downtown Day of the Dead Celebration
 There's more than one celebration in Louisville on Saturday! Come celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Fourth Street Live right in the heart of downtown. There will be face painting, Mariachis, Mexico Lindo Folkloric Dancers, food, and more!
When: Saturday, November 2 from 5-11 p.m.
Where: Fourth Street Live, 411 S. 4th Street
Integrating Cultures and Communities Returns!
 Joins us for an enlightening panel discussion focusing on the experiences and contributions of members of the African diaspora. Come engage with diverse perspective, explore our community's rich cultural tapestry, and enjoy Somali-inspired light refreshments.
When: Thursday, November 7 from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: International Mall, 737 S. 8th Street
Lights, Camera, Action: Reel Latin American Film Festival is ending soon
 The "Reel” Latin American Film Festival is a longtime tradition of showcasing the rich and diverse voices of Latin America cinema, and the name of the festival highlights the depth and authenticity of experiences.
This is the 31st edition of the festival, and the lineup includes: Baby Girl, Machuca, Chronicles of a Wandering Saint, Sun and Daughter, Cassandro, and Boca Chica.
The festival continues through November 8. Click the button below to see movie descriptions and find out which ones you want to see!
You can submit bids NOW for a silent auction to benefit Americana World Community Center
 Exciting news! The annual fundraising gala for Americana is right around the corner, and you can already submit bids for the silent auction.
The event, which is called Global Gather this year, will be a beautiful celebration of community, culture, and support for the Americana Community Center. There will be live performers, artists, and restaurants who support Americana's mission to uplift Louisville's immigrant, refugee, and underserved communities.
There is time to contribute ahead of time by buying tickets early, making a donation, offering to be a sponsor, or volunteer.
When: Saturday, November 9 at 6 p.m.
Where: Germantown Gables, 986 Swan Street
Free REACH Workshop Series Continues
  If you want to expand your business, or start a new one, the free REACH workshop series is an opportunity to learn valuable knowledge and insights from industry experts about running a successful business.
This is a chance to network with like-minded individuals, build relationships, share ideas, and explore potential collaborations.
The next REACH workshop is November 9 and focuses on using financial tools for business decision-making.
Bestselling author and poet coming to Louisville
Javier Zamora, New York Times best-selling author of Solito: A Memoir, will be in Louisville to receive the Spalding Prize for the Promotion of Peace and Justice in Literature and deliver a presentation at the Main Library.
The event is presented by the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing, the Louisville Free Public Library, and the Library Foundation. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.
When: Tuesday, November 12 from 6-7 p.m.
Where: Louisville Main Library, 301 York Street
To register, call (502) 574-1644 or click the button below. A book signing will follow, with books provided by Carmichael’s Bookstore.
Register to be the next Global Louisville Leadership Academy graduates!
 The Global Louisville Leadership Academy (GLLA) is a free leadership training program sponsored by the Office for Immigrant Affairs.
The mission is to build the knowledge and networks of foreign-born leaders to increase their capacity and become key stakeholders to empower and assist their communities.
Apply now! The deadline for applications is January 11, 2025. Once members are selected, the first of eight sessions will be held on February 17, 2025.
Time is running out! Deadline to apply to become an Ambassador for Office for Women is approaching
 The Office for Women Ambassadors is a six-month training program for women and gender-diverse individuals who represent the diverse communities across Louisville. Ambassadors will enhance leadership skills, and learn to serve as community liasions.
Requirements for applicants:
- 18 years or older
- Live inside Jefferson County
- Attend ALL Training Dates in 2025: January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, May 15, and June 19, all from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Apply by November 15, 2024
+ Celebrate Your Voice: Student Poetry Contest for International Mother Language Day
 We are thrilled to announce a collaborative student poetry contest in partnership with the University of Louisville's College of Arts and Sciences that celebrates International Mother Language Day.
This is an opportunity for high school and first-year college students who identify as immigrants or refugees to express their unique voices and experiences.
We invite you to submit poems that capture the rich themes associated with your mother language or mother tongue.
Eligibility: High school and first-year college students who identify as immigrants or refugees.
Theme: Your mother language or mother tongue.
Submission Deadline: December 5, 2024
Questions: Contact Monica Lakhwani at monica.lakhwani@louisvilleky.gov
November's Journey of Success:
Severin Barumunungu
 Severin Barumunungu is originally from Burundi, but left for Kenya when his safety was in danger. After he received refugee status, he was asked if he had a choice of country, where would he go.
His response was simple: “Any country with peace.”
Learn more about Barumunungu's journey to Louisville, and the adversity along the way, by visiting the Office for Immigrant Affairs website.
Image of the Week:
Celebrating Unity Week at Newcomers Academy
Last week, NCA celebrated their diverse student body focusing on themes of unity, inclusion, and collaboration. We were honored to arrive in time to witness the African diaspora parade.
Policy Updates
USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 36 Months for Green Card Renewals
Effective Sept. 10, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) automatically extended the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) to 36 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
Extensions and Receipt Notices: Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card Lawful permanent residents who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green Card may receive this extension. Form I-90 receipt notices had previously provided a 24-month extension of the validity of a Green Card.
USCIS has updated the language on Form I-90 receipt notices to extend the validity of a Green Card for 36 months from the expiration date on the face of the current Green Card for individuals with a newly filed Form I-90 renewal request. On Sept. 10, USCIS began printing amended receipt notices for individuals with a pending Form I-90 application.
These receipt notices can be presented with an expired Green Card as evidence of continued status. This extension is expected to help applicants who experience longer processing times, because they will receive proof of lawful permanent resident status as they await their renewed Green Card.
Evidence of Green Card If you no longer have your Green Card and you need evidence of your lawful permanent resident status while waiting to receive your replacement Green Card, you may request an appointment at a USCIS field office by contacting the USCIS Contact Center, and we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp after you file Form I-90.
For more information, visit our Replace Your Green Card page.
Address Change If your mailing address changes while your case is pending, please update it through your USCIS Online Account, if you have one. Read more at How to Change Your Address.
More Information Protect yourself from immigration scams. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Visit the Avoid Scams page for information and resources.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
U.S. Refugee Program arrivals increased significantly in August
The U.S. resettled 9,520 refugees in August - the second-highest monthly arrival total for Fiscal Year 2024. The eleven-month total of refugee arrivals for FY2024 is 84,271 refugees.
While the U.S. is not on track to reach its target of 125,000 arrivals in FY2024, the increase in pace bodes well as the end of the fiscal year approaches on September 30. If the U.S. were to resettle 9,520 refugees again in September, it would resettle 93,791 refugees for FY2024. To resettle 100,000 refugees, the U.S. would need to resettle 15,729 refugees in September.
It is fairly common to see the highest number of monthly arrivals in the last month of the fiscal year. Continuing this pace in September would mark the highest levels of resettlement in nearly three decades, with the U.S. last resettling 90,000 refugees in FY1995. Follow this link for more information from the Refugee Processing Center.
+ USCIS is now accepting applications for Parole in Place for eligible spouses and children of U.S. citizens
On August 19, USCIS began accepting applications for the new parole in place program for eligible spouses and children of U.S. Citizens. Eligible individuals must file the ONLINE form I-131F with USCIS along with supporting documentation to demonstrate eligibility and pay the $580 filing fee. There is no fee waiver available for Form I-131F.
Examples of supporting documents to demonstrate eligibility are listed in the General Questions section of the USCIS Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping Families Together webpage.
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