It’s safe to say a lot has happened since you last heard from us! 

Last month, millions of people across the country exercised their right to vote in the 2024 election. As we prepare for the new year, this vital works continues. And there's plenty of work to be done!

We reached the end of Fiscal Year 2024 with a record finish and resettled 3,272 refugees in Missouri. This matched a pattern nationwide as the U.S. resettled 100,034 refugees, the highest number since 1994! For a closer look at Missouri data from FY 2024, check out our Resettlement Rundown on Instagram.

A new fiscal year is also upon us, and the Biden administration announced a refugee ceiling of 125,000 for FY 2025. Our statewide capacity for FY 2025 is 4,338 individuals. 

The Biden administration also recently ended parole protections for certain migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who had been had been admitted into the U.S. under humanitarian parole. Individuals admitted through these programs now face uncertainty about their future legal status. Additionally, the U.S. granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Lebanon, allowing around 11,000 Lebanese nationals to remain in the U.S. for 18 months.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the foreign-born population reached its highest level in over a century, making up 14.3% of the total population and contributing to most of the nation’s population growth. 

On the international stage, donor countries pledged $1.5 billion to support refugees through the UNHCR, underscoring global commitments to addressing displacement.  

More regional news: 

• Refugees sell handmade crafts at Columbia boutique 
• How an Afghan family facing threats put its trust in a U.S. veteran 
• A St. Louis nonprofit will resettle refugees beginning this month 
• St. Louis to receive “Light The World” giving machines for a second year 
• Operation Holidays: Spreading kindness to families in need

To explore: This report from Refugee Council USA highlights the major milestone of the U.S. resettling 100,034 refugees in FY 2024. Plus, these explainers dive into the journeys of newcomers from Cuba and Haiti.

To clarify: Whether it’s birthright citizenship, mass deportation, asylum, or the economy, these resources aim to provide some helpful insight.

To listen: This episode of the Planet Money podcast reviews the Chinese Exclusion Act while this episode of CodeSwitch follows a walk through a park in Queens, New York, that turns into a celebration of everyday life for immigrants in the city. Plus, the Idaho Office for Refugees has a podcast featuring the stories of newcomers enriching their communities and building a culture of belonging.

To foster welcoming: Welcoming America has developed a new self-paced training for people who want to grow inclusion and belonging efforts from individual or small group welcoming to a whole-of-community approach. This blog post offers practical strategies to help providers create supportive spaces for newcomers. 

City of Refuge is looking for help stocking their Basic Needs Closet. Basic hygiene or household items are always needed, including toilet paper, tooth brushes, and disinfectant wipes.  

Della Lamb is hosting Operation Holidays this weekend, December 13-14. The goal of this two-day event is to offer holiday cheer and comfort to hundreds of local families! You can support this effort by donating, purchasing an item off their Amazon wishlist, or volunteering. Looking ahead to February 2025, Della is also hosting their annual Illuminate the City gala! 

IISMO is hiring! They're looking for an Employment Caseworker to support Afghan clients in Springfield.

IISTL is hosting a donation drive on December 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Most-needed items include winter coats, warm blankets, space heaters, and any other items to help keep folks warm this season. Drop new or gently used (and clean) items at the IISTL garage at 2983 Louisiana, between Arsenal and Pestalozzi. Grocery gift cards, personal care items, and #3 diapers also go a long way toward supporting newcomers! They’re also hiring a Teen Program Assistant and After School Program Assistant. 

ISPN invites service providers and community members from across the St. Louis region to join them in collective impact advocacy on behalf of immigrants in the region. To learn more about becoming a member of ISPN go here. You can also donate to support their efforts here.  

Jewish Vocational Service is hiring! They’re looking for an Employment Program Manager, Grants Manager, and Development Director among other openings. Their clients are also in need of winter clothing items! Check out their Winter Warmth Wish List here or donate your gently used coats, scarves, and gloves. 

MICA Project is working on filing a variety of applications for their clients as quickly as possible. They’ve started a new fund to help cover the fees associated with those applications. If you have language skills to share, you can also volunteer as a translator or interpreter. If you are an attorney and would like to volunteer at Power of Attorney workshops in the St. Louis area (MO and IL) in January, fill out this form. 

RAISE has ongoing volunteer opportunities available! You can sign up to help with childcare, provide quick rides for clients, support them with administrative tasks, or become a mentor to refugee youth. 

Welcome Neighbor is looking for women volunteers to drive refugee moms and their kids to their Mother’s Support Group on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Email ana@welcomeneighborstl.org to sign up. You can also volunteer as an ESL tutor to help Supper Club chefs write and share their story.  

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more updates!

A Missouri that values and champions refugees

Catch up on what you may have missed in our previous newsletters here :)