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The month of May is Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage month as designated by an act of Congress in 1992. We commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 (where the majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants). There are many resources to learn more about our Asian and Pacific Islander community here in Minnesota, including Minnesota Council on Asian Pacific Americans the Asian Pacific American Resource Center at the University of Minnesota, and Asian American Organizing Project.
The Freedom to Drive campaign is working hard these last few days of the state legislative session, which officially ends on Monday May 20. Supporters of the state bill that would expand the ability to apply for a drivers license or state ID to all, regardless of immigration status, have set up a tent at the state capitol (on the left if you are facing the capitol between the capitol and the state office building). The tent is staffed around the clock, and will be up until the end of session. If you support this initiative, please consider stopping by the tent to show your support, learn more about the campaign, and take a picture with a Freedom to Drive poster.
The Minneapolis City Council recently passed a resolution condemning Islamophobia. The resolution recognizes the history of the United States as a country founded by immigrants, and addresses the increase in attacks on Muslims and those who are perceived to be Muslim. The resolution condemns Islamophobia, expresses solidarity with the City's Muslim residents and indicates the City's resolve to foster a deeper understanding of Muslims and Muslim culture.
Community Hours/Immigration Forums
OIRA holds community hours/immigration forums at various locations in Minneapolis. The purpose of these events are to share information about the existence and mission of the office, to inform community of immigration related issues and identify issues impacting communities, to connect residents to legal service providers, city offices, and additional resources, and to hear from residents regarding their concerns. Upcoming community hours/immigration forums:
June 6 at Lao Assistance, in partnership with Release MN 8, immigration attorney Mai Neng Moua and the Minneapolis Department of Human Rights
Neighborhood Associations
OIRA also visits with neighborhood associations to explain the mission of the office and the connections that OIRA can make between community residents and local resources in the city that are of benefit to immigrant and refugee communities. Recent Neighborhood association visits include:
May 15 at Nokomis East Neighborhood Association
Please contact OIRA director Michelle Rivero at michelle.rivero@minneapolismn.gov to receive additional information about upcoming events or to schedule a visit in your community.
Willmar Minnesota highlighted in recent New York Times op-ed
NYT Editorialist Thomas Friedman focuses on Willmar, Minnesota in a recent editorial addressing how this rural community has benefitted from an influx of immigrants. The editorial highlights how Willmar has welcomed and integrated immigrants and reaps the benefits of welcoming policies, including virtually zero unemployment. The article is entitled, "President Trump, Come to Willmar."
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HUD proposes new rule impacting undocumented immigrants living with familly members in public housing
On May 10, the Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed a new rule which would result in eviction of undocumented individuals in mixed status families (families with documented and undocumented family members) who live in public or otherwise subsidized housing. This proposed rule has not yet gone into effect. As with any proposed federal rule, there is a public comment period, where anyone can say what they think about the proposal. Public comments can be submitted using the above link and will be accepted until July 9. There are many resources to get a backgrounder before submitting your own comment. Please contact the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs for more information.
2 1/2 year old Guatemalan child dies in federal immigration custody
CNN reports that this is the fourth Guatemalan child to die after a border apprehension since December. It is hard to overcome the powerful emotions sparked by news of deaths in immigration custody. What can we do? In addition to contacting our elected officials to express our opinions, including Senators and Representatives (find your congressional representatives here) we can also look closer to home. Although children are not held in immigration detention in the State of Minnesota, adults are. This article sheds light on one of the facilities that contracts with ICE to hold immigrant detainees, Sherburne County Jail.
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COPAL (Comunidades Organizando el Poder y La Accion Latina--Communities Organizing Latin Power and Action) is a Minneapolis based immigrant-led nonprofit organization which assist immigrants in obtaining power and voice within our community, through helping community members obtain US citizenship to advocating for a federal legislative solution so that people holding Temporary Protected Status may remain in the US permanently.
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