Quarterly Update from MO-ORA

So they launched the Uniting for Ukraine program, a private sponsorship program through which Ukrainians can apply for humanitarian parole in the U.S. Congress also passed the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which allowed some Ukrainians in the U.S under humanitarian parole to be eligible for resettlement benefits. So Ukrainians in the U.S. could now be refugees, humanitarian parolees, or have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) depending on how and when they arrived.

It's a little confusing, but these efforts couldn’t have come at a better time as the number of displaced people passed 100 million for the first time, according to the UN. The need for countries to welcome refugees is great, and the U.S. is even in talks with Canada and Spain to discuss expanding their own refugee resettlement programs. At the end of May, the Biden administration also began implementation of a new rule intended to improve and expedite the processing of asylum claims at the border.

As the U.S. takes steps to welcome more refugees, we are reminded there is always more work to be done. On May 14, a self-proclaimed white supremacist carried out a racist attack at a supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y., killing 10 people and injuring three others. The shooter cited the racist and xenophobic Great Replacement theory, which states that “welcoming immigration policies — particularly those impacting nonwhite immigrants — are part of a plot designed to undermine or ‘replace’ the political power and culture of white people living in Western countries.”

Through actions big and small, we have the opportunity to create welcoming spaces as well as combat misinformation every day. It gives us hope to see local resettlement agencies across Missouri cultivating a sense of safety and welcome in their communities through their many partnerships, services, and outreach activities.

Stay tuned in to the latest news by following our News page and Blog in between newsletters.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Arrival numbers

With only a few months left in the fiscal year (FY), let's see where we are!

Refugees resettled in MO since Oct. 2021: 301*

Top 5 nationalities of new arrivals in MO:

Democratic Republic of the Congo - 112
Sudan - 49
Ukraine - 45
Syria - 36
Republic of South Sudan - 19

On a national scale, total number refugees resettled in FY 2021 so far: 12,641

*Data from wrapsnet.org as of May 31, 2022

Plus resettlement agencies in the news!

How St. Louis housed its Afghan refugees, STLPR
New Della Lamb program provides bicycles to refugees, Northeast News
Local nonprofit continues helping Ukraine refugees as new federal sponsorship program rolls out, KOMU

Visit our blog

WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2022

Celebrated each year on June 20, World Refugee Day is an opportunity to celebrate and honor refugees around the world. This year the focus is on the right to seek safety. Agencies and service providers across the state have exciting plans, and they’re seizing the opportunity to embrace this year’s theme: Whoever. Wherever. Whenever. Everyone has the right to seek safety.

Learn more about upcoming events across the state on our World Refugee Day page.

We’re also hosting our first event! We’ve partnered with Left Bank Books in St. Louis to produce a virtual speaker and Q&A event. Shugri Said Salh, author of The Last Nomad, will be joining us to share her story and get everyone ready to celebrate World Refugee Day. RSVP today!

And **exclusive to MO-ORA newsletter subscribers** you can enter to win a copy of The Last Nomad! All you have to do is register on Eventbrite, be subscribed to this quarterly newsletter, and attend the event to be entered for a chance to win!

Learn more

RESOURCES: Read, Watch, Explore

To celebrate: It’s National Immigrant Heritage Month and Pride!

To read: What to Know About Ukrainian Refugees in the U.S. from U.S. News and World Report

To listen: Immigration Stories with Nestor Gomez, a podcast about US immigration, national identity, culture, family and borders. And this episode of Throughline from NPR, How refugee stories reveal the true toll of war.

To explore: Map the Impact of Immigration: U.S. Economic Data & Numbers, an interactive map from the American Immigration Council provides the latest information on the demographics, economic and tax contributions, education level, and other factors of immigrants living in the United States.

For kids: I'm Your Neighbor Books strives to build welcoming communities through the use of children’s books.

To watch: An African Story on Vimeo, created by Albemarle High School (VA) students from Congo, Tanzania, and other African countries, students talk about the differences between life back home and here in the U.S.

OPPORTUNITIES: Get involved

How Many, Which Ones? The Refugee Crisis and U.S. Immigration: Tune in to this free 60-minute webinar from Poynter at 1 p.m. CT on July 13 to gain a deeper understanding of the policies that impact which immigrants get refugee status in the U.S.

Catholic Charities Refugee Services is looking for a new Director of Refugee Services based in Columbia, MO.

JVS in KC is looking for an Afghan Immigration Assistant and Volunteer and Outreach Assistant. Check out their other openings here! JVS clients are also in need of baby formula during the nationwide shortage. Donate formula of any kind to JVS Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Join JVS for their free info session, JVS Welcoming Communities Open House, June 23 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. to hear about how JVS welcomes refugees and immigrants and helps them thrive.

You can contribute to Della Lamb’s Bikes for Refugees Program! You can have a bike delivered by purchasing from their Amazon Wishlist or donate financially here.

Apply to be a mentor through IISTL’s Youth Mentoring program. Their next 10-week session starts in July! Stay tuned to their website and social media for updates on Festival Nations happening August 27-28.

Thanks for reading! Happy summer :)

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