We're nearly 6 months into Fiscal Year 2024, and we have so many updates for you! 

In February, 10,252 refugees were resettled through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), a significant increase compared to the 6,964 refugees resettled in December 2023 and an increase of 1,054 from the 9,198 refugees resettled in January. As of February 29, the U.S. had resettled 41,243 refugees so far in FY 2024. 

At the federal level, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) created a specialized juvenile docket for arriving children and teens. The goal of this new docket across 49 immigration courts is to better detect child exploitation and human trafficking concerns and help eligible migrant youth access pathways to safety.  

Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees who have arrived after September 30, 2023, are still not eligible for Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) benefits and services. However, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Ukrainian citizens who were paroled into the United States on or after February 11, 2022, can apply for re-parole. Many of the Ukrainian parolees who are eligible for re-parole came to the U.S. though Uniting for Ukraine, which has granted humanitarian parole for over 180,000 individuals.  

Overseas, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates 10.7 million people are displaced due to the violent conflicts in Sudan. The large-scale displacement comes with disease outbreaks, hunger, malnutrition, and increased vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence.  

In more regional news, Kansas City’s City Council passed legislation supporting immigrant and refugee inclusion. An Office of Language Access will be created to work across departments to provide better access to language services for those whose first language is not English or those who are differently abled. Additionally, an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs was approved to serve has a hub for immigrant and refugee resources and services. 

More local news spotlights: 

• Supporting Refugees Through School Impact Grants: Connecting a Global Issue to K-12 Missouri Schools
• Joplin organization helps legal refugees, immigrants settle
• St. Louis school for immigrant and refugee students expands
• Secret rescue: How Operation Bella saved 383 Afghan lives
• Kansas City officials approve Office of Language Access. Here’s what happens next

• To read: This article from UNHCR that discusses the differences between “refugees” and “migrants” and how word choice matters, and this article identifying six of the humanitarian crises that impacted refugees last year.

• To watch: This new public service announcement from the American Immigration Council, the Ad Council, and the Team Up Project encouraging bridge-building and inclusion. This short film about the Dream Orchestra made up of immigrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees searching for a new home.

• To explore: This report from HHS that shows the overall economic contributions of refugees and asylees over the course of 15 years. And this study that details the time and steps involved in preparing a complete asylum application.

• To see: This art exhibition in St. Louis that explores how narratives – visual, textual, and oral – can bridge divides between migrants and the communities in which they settle.

St. Louis

• Celebrate unity, happiness, and the promise of new beginnings at Holi Festival 2024. Saturday, March 23, 12:00-4:00 p.m. CT
• Race for Refugees returns to Tower Grove Park with proceeds going to the International Institute of St. Louis (IISTL). Sunday, April 21
• IISTL is looking for grocery store gift cards! Aldi preferred, but any would be greatly appreciated. They are also collecting donations of hygiene products and household items such as kitchen supplies, cookware, and bathroom and cleaning supplies. Contact Semere Desu or Alexia Prudencio for more info.
• IISTL is also seeking leads on affordable housing opportunities for newcomers. They’re looking for apartments and/or single-family homes with 1-5 bedrooms. Contact Abdul Noori with information.
• IISTL is hiring! They have openings for an Employment Support Coordinator, Building Maintenance Technician, and Refugee Benefits Assistant among others.

Kansas City

• Pickleball for Charity: Bring friends and family for an evening filled with friendly competition, delicious food and drinks. Proceeds will benefit Della Lamb. Thursday, March 21, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• JVS is hosting an info session where you can learn more about their work and opportunities to get involved and support them. Email volunteer@jvskc.org to RSVP. Tuesday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. CT
• Global Table, JVS’ annual fundraiser, is just around the corner. You can learn more and buy tickets for their upcoming event. Thursday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. CT.
• You can also donate school supplies, clothing, and/or household items to JVS weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have furniture to donate, you can request a pick-up here.
• JVS is also hiring a Resettlement Case Manager, Adult ELL Coordinator, and Immigration Assistant among other positions.

Central Missouri

• City of Refuge is looking for hygiene products to meet the basic needs of newcomer families. You can also sign up to volunteer with them here.
• Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri is looking for volunteers to welcome visitors at their Jefferson City office, stock shelves and assist shoppers in their food pantry, and help distribute senior food boxes to residents in Cole County and Howard County. For additional information and to access the volunteer application, click here.
• CCCNMO is also hiring for multiple positions, including a Site Director and Immigration Legal Assistant.

Southwest Missouri

• RAISE is hiring a Child Care Assistant and Assistant Case Management Coordinator. Learn more here. They also have a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from childcare, community connection, house setup, transportation and more! Visit their website to view all current opportunities, and email volunteer@raisecommunity.org with any questions.
• The International Institute of Southwest Missouri is hiring a Refugee Resettlement Caseworker in Springfield.

Virtual

• Lunch and Learn - Parastoo: The Inspiring Story of a Young Afghan Woman’s Journey: Meet the people behind the documentary Parastoo, a coming-of-age story that follows Farzana, an Afghan refugee, through the growing pains of young adulthood, the unpredictable asylum-seeking process, and her inspiring journey from amateur actress to theater director. Monday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. CT
• Welcome.US Live Information Session: In this one-hour session, you’ll get a quick overview on how sponsors help those displaced by war seek safety, and you can ask an experienced sponsor questions. If you are a U.S. resident and considering sponsorship, or simply want to better understand how the process works, this event is for you. Tuesday, March 19 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more updates, including news about World Refugee Day :)