News Updates
+ SURVEY: Help us shape the future of Louisville’s economy
 In August, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg launched a new strategic planning process for economic development in Louisville, the first time an effort like this has taken place in nearly a decade. The plan, which will be completed before the end of 2023, will include actionable steps for city government and recommendations for how businesses, nonprofits and individuals can help. In addition to the Mayor's Office and the Department of Economic Development, the process is being led by two Indianapolis-based consulting firms - Ginovus and Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA). These two companies conducted an Economic Snapshot of Louisville’s assets and challenges to set the stage for the stakeholder engagement and a frank discussion on how we achieve economic prosperity in our city.
+ Mayor Greenberg announces plan to create and preserve 15,000 affordable housing units
 Mayor Craig Greenberg unveiled My Louisville Home, a comprehensive housing strategy that aims to create and preserve 15,000 affordable housing units. This strategy, the first of its kind in Louisville, outlines significant investment and policy actions by Louisville Metro Government to spur housing development across the city.
+ Louisville Metro Government hosted Global Louisville Convening event
 Many local community leaders joined together to enhance opportunities for new Americans. The Office for Immigrant Affairs is dedicated to strengthening community partnerships to help make Louisville a welcoming city for all ethnicities and cultures. The Office for Immigrant Affairs hosted the Global Louisville Convening at the end of the Welcoming month celebrations.
+ Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) International Leadership Program
The Louisville Metro Police International Leadership Program (ILP) is a four-month interactive environment designed to deliver the Louisville Metro International leaders a basic knowledge of how the police department operates. The ILP will help community relations efforts in the department, along with other city agencies to address specific immigrant community concerns. The goal of the Louisville Metro Police ILP is to strengthen relationships in the community by fostering a greater understanding of the role of law enforcement through frank discussion and education.
+ New EARN Training Opportunities and IET for English Learners Desk Aids
 In recognition of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Enhancing Access for Refugees and New Americans (EARN) project team is pleased to announce the availability of new training opportunities and desk aids to complement the Integrated Education and Training (IET) Design Toolkit.
The EARN team has developed four trainings to support adult educators in serving English learners (ELs).
- Using IELCE Activities to Promote Civic Readiness and Connections to Citizenship (75 mins.)
- Contextualizing Instruction in IELCE Activities (3 hours)
- Forming and Operating Effective Partnerships for Immigrant Integration (2 hours)
- Serving Internationally Trained Professionals (1 hour)
+ REACH Small Business Workshops return
  REACH is a program offered by the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Affairs, Louisville Metro Department of Economic Development and the Louisville Small Business Development Center to help immigrant and non-immigrant small business owners prepare their business for growth.
There is no cost to participate in the program – just an investment of time and effort to connect learn and begin to create a solid plan for growth!
The first sessions has already ended, but you can still sign up for any of the remaining sessions.
+ Applications for LIHEAP cooling and water assistance program now open for Fall
 EARLY REGISTRATION FOR LIHEAP IS OPEN
Seniors and disabled people on fixed incomes can apply early for LIHEAP and MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program
The Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) is offering pre-registration for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Fall Subsidy Component. The pre-registration will begin Monday, October 2, and will end October 31, or until appointments reach capacity.
Pre-registration is for Jefferson County residents, within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, who are 60 years of age or older, or are disabled and receiving a fixed income (Social Security, SSI, pension or Black Lung benefits).
Additionally, through partnership with the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), eligible residents will have the opportunity to apply for a discount on their water bill through MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program. Customers 65 or older with a gross annual household income of $35,000 or less, may be eligible to receive a 30 percent discount on the wastewater portion of their bill.
Residents who received assistance in 2022 under MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program do NOT need to reapply this year – their enrollment in the program will continue for 2023.
Eligible households can apply for one or both LIHEAP Subsidy and the MSD’s Senior Discount Program with one single appointment.
The toll-free automated appointment system is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to schedule an in-person appointment at one of seven locations. The automated scheduler will provide details about these locations as well as eligibility and required documentation.
LIHEAP Fall Subsidy Component, Early Registration Phase
How to apply: Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.
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Sign up to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone!
Text "LENSAlert" to 67283
Policy Updates
+ President Biden Sets Refugee Resettlement Ceiling at 125,000 for Fiscal Year 2024
On September 29, President Biden signed the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2024, setting the refugee resettlement ceiling for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 at 125,000.
The 125,000 refugee resettlement ceiling will be allocated by region. President Biden designated a cap that ranges between 30,000 and 50,000 refugees from Africa, between 10,000 and 20,000 refugees from the East Asian region, between 2,000 and 3,000 refugees from the European and Central Asian region, between 35,000 and 50,000 refugees from the Latin American and Caribbean region, and between 30,000 and 45,000 refugees from the Near East and South Asian region.
The 125,000 target is the same ceiling as the one set for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. However, the U.S. refugee resettlement numbers in both years been significantly below the 125,000 cap. With only a few days left before the end of FY 2023, the U.S. is currently on track to resettle a total of 60,000 refugees, not even 50% of the 125,000 ceiling. This number, however, would represent a major improvement in arrivals compared to Fiscal Years 2020, 2021, and 2022, when the U.S. only resettled, 11,840, 11,400, and 25,000 refugees, respectively.
+ USCIS has completed second random selection from prior submitted FY24 H-1B cap registrations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has selected additional H-1B cap registrations from previously submitted electronic registrations (including for beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption) using a random selection process. They have notified the prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the selected registration.
+ DHS announces family reunification parole processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras
Nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members can be considered for parole on a case-by-case basis for up to three years while they wait to apply to become a lawful permanent resident. Qualifying beneficiaries must be outside the U.S., meet all requirements, including screening and vetting and medical requirements, and must not have already received an immigrant visa.
+ Temporary Protected Status designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua reinstated and extended for 18 months
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded the 2017 and 2018 terminations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua and extended these four reinstated TPS designations for 18 months.
TPS beneficiaries under the four designations must re-register to maintain their TPS during the 18-month extension. Eligible individuals are those who arrived in the U.S. before the following continuous residence dates: Feb. 13, 2001, for El Salvador; Dec. 30, 1998, for Honduras; June 24, 2015, for Nepal; and Dec. 30, 1998, for Nicaragua.
+ Redesign of Green Cards and Employment Authorization Document
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to improve security. The new Green Card and EAD designs contain improved technology and designs meant to further secure the documents. Current cards remain valid until their expiration date unless otherwise noted. Green card holders are encouraged to apply for the new cards.
+ Guidance for Adjustment of Status applications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated their guidance in their policy manual to clarify that both asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year when their Adjustment of Status is adjudicated. This new physical presence requirement supersedes the old rule which stated that asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for one year at the time they file their adjustment of status application.
Events
+ Come to the Kentucky Hispanic, Immigrant and refugee networking summit
 Friday, October 6 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Since 2005, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights has been hosting this statewide networking summit every year, except in the past four years, to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15).
This opportunity is used to foster mutual understanding and increase communication and collaboration between the federal, state, local government and educational institutions and the immigrant and refugee communities. Attendees have included directors of immigrant and refugee organizations, representatives from Hispanic media outlets, immigrant educators and entrepreneurs from across Kentucky.
Shelby County Extension Office, 1117 Frankfort Rd., Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065
+ Downtown Drive-In with the Cinebus
Select Fridays through October 20
The Downtown Drive-In is an outdoor movie night series, taking place at Brown-Forman Amphitheater on select Friday nights through October.
Movies will begin at sundown, with the amphitheater open an hour before to allow guests to grab their spot in the theater. The event will include snacks and beer for purchase from local brewer Ten20 Craft Brewery and lemonade by Amiracle Ade Company. Movie-goers are also welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs to the viewing.
In collaboration with Waterfront Development Corporation, the film series is hosted at Waterfront Park’s Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road. The event is free to the public with free parking available at Waterfront Park’s Tan and Turquoise lots.
The Downtown Drive-In schedule
- October 20: Hocus Pocus (PG)
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+ La Casita’s annual Circle of Solidarity gala is almost here
 Saturday, October 21 | 6:00 p.m.
As in years’ past, the Circle of Solidarity gala is an opportunity to support La Casita’s mission and celebrate the way they collectively accompany each other in honoring the resiliency of our Latinx and immigrant communities. It is a true fiesta full of music, delicious foods, dancing, singing and a special moment when they reflect on the impact of the small but mighty La Casita team, in their colorful, vibrant and incredible way!
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the program set to begin at 6:45 p.m.
Bourbon Hall, 116 W. Jefferson Street.
+ Join REACH Small Business Workshop Series
 REACH is a program offered by the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Economic Development and the Louisville Small Business Development Center to help immigrant small business owners prepare their business for growth. There is no cost to participate in the program – just an investment of time and effort to connect learn and begin to create a solid plan for growth!
Saturday, October 14 | 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Financial Tools you need for your business: Financial tools checklist.
Saturday, October 28 | 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Tools for Effective business decision making: One page financial plan.
Saturday, November 11 | 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Effective marketing strategies: One-page marketing plan.
Saturday, December 30 | 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Final session: Funding your business
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Saturday, September 30
10 am – 1 pm
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Business Health Check and Planning for Growth One-Page Business Plan
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Saturday, October 14
10 am – 1 pm
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Financial Tools You Need for Your Business
Financial Tools Checklist
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Saturday, October 28
10 am – 1 pm
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Tools for Effective Business Decision-Making
One-Page Financial Plan
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Saturday, November 11
10 am – 1 pm
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Effective Marketing Strategies One-Page Marketing Plan
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Saturday, December 30
10 am – 1 pm
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Final Session Funding Your Business
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* Additional dates and topics may be added according to participating business needs and interests.
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+ Join CycLOUvia in the Highlands
 Sunday, October 22 | 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Office of Planning, District 8 Councilman Ben Reno-Weber, and Highland Commerce Guild are transforming one of Louisville’s great urban neighborhoods into a paved park! Come walk, bike, dance, skate or scoot down Bardstown Road from Grinstead Drive to Douglass Boulevard. This event is free, fun, and family-friendly!
+ Come to Taste of Africa fundraiser
 Saturday, October 28 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The night will include a meet and greet red carpet, live African traditional music and dance, fashion show, poetry, presentations, African food with American catered food choices, and special performances.
Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
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