After a historical inauguration January 20, 2021, President Biden and Vice President Harris, a daughter of immigrants, made it clear that reforming U.S. immigration policy is a top priority. On day one, the president issued a series of executive actions and sent a comprehensive immigration reform bill to Congress, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. It has since been introduced in both the House and the Senate. The House also just passed two landmark pieces of immigration legislation: The American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Although they still have to make their way through the Senate, these bills would create a path to legal status and eventual citizenship for millions of immigrants across the country. Additional executive actions and directives have also been issued by the administration in an attempt to rebuild our immigration system as well as the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

As we look ahead to the future of immigration in the U.S., we can’t help but also reflect on the contributions of countless immigrants and refugees who have helped us make it to this very moment, who have kept the wheels of America turning. In a column for Forbes, Stuart Anderson highlighted some of these immigrants on the frontlines of the pandemic—from the vaccine makers at Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna to the doctors in hospitals across the country to Chef José Andrés and his team at World Central Kitchen. "From the creative minds of the vaccine makers to dedicated health care professionals and essential workers, in the year 2020, immigrants helped Americans to persevere," he wrote. The Immigrant Learning Center has also planned an online tribute to immigrants and refugees on the front lines of this pandemic, The ILC Immigrant Heroes Award Benefit. You can attend this virtual ceremony Tuesday, April 6 at 4:30 p.m. and learn about three “everyday heroes” being recognized.

As immigrants and refugees continue to make vital contributions across the country, it’s imperative that they are included in widespread vaccine efforts and outreach. In an op-ed for The Hill, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Arizona), Medha D. Makhlouf, Dr. Megan L. Srinivas, and Gilberto Lopez point out that ensuring equitable vaccine access for noncitizens, many of whom work in essential industries, is "a matter of keeping society functioning during this national emergency, ending the risk of contagion as soon as possible, and protecting the personal and economic liberty of the American people."

Last month, we had the opportunity to virtually sit down with two leaders in immigrant and refugee services in Missouri. Sam Moog became the Director of Refugee Resettlement at RIS in Columbia, Missouri, December 1, 2020. Arrey Obenson stepped into his role as President and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis February 1. Being relatively fresh on the scene, we wanted to get to know them better and introduce them to all of you as they begin to settle into their roles and dive into this work with the prospect of busy days ahead.

Click the button below to read the full interview.

Somalia, a predominantly Muslim country, has been torn by civil war, and refugees seeking a haven have found that in Noel, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe, hundreds of Somalis have settled in Noel since 2009. Refugee and Immigrant Services & Education or RAISE and the International Institute’s Southwest Missouri Branch coordinated the local response to the refugee community. RAISE provided on-the-ground support services for those affected by the fire, providing housing solutions and food services for individuals who would normally be fed through the African Grocery Store. We’re proud of these organizations for stepping in and serving this community in their time of need.

Della Lamb: Della Lamb held its first Youth Mentoring session! They paired up 7 mentors and mentees to help refugee youth acclimate to their new home. Suzanne Campbell, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator at Della Lamb, took newly arrived students to get laptops from their school district in late October. Afterward, Suzanne realized these students would need help overcoming additional hurdles this school year. As a mother of three, she had first-hand experience with the struggles of online learning during a pandemic. So after discussing options with the students’ parents and the resettlement director, they created the Learning Lab. Suzanne was able to sit with each student a few days each week, figure out their class schedules and show them how to access their classes and at what time to do so. Now they can work independently thanks to troubleshooting in the very beginning. Through the Learning Lab, Della Lamb also provides lunch, and students take some time away from screens and head outside during the day, too. While staying mindful of COVID restrictions, they’re still able to get additional one-on-one support and invaluable contact with peers. Way to hit the ground running, Della!

To learn more about our other partner organizations, you can visit our website. 

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on what you may have missed in our December newsletter here.