APRIL 2024 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Office of New Americans (ONA) monthly newsletter, providing you with ONA updates, immigration news, community resources, training webinars, local events, and more.

ONA is comprised of an Immigrant Services unit and Refugee Services unit. The Office is responsible for the implementation of a statewide strategy to provide immigrants in Virginia with comprehensive assistance related to employment, housing, healthcare, education, citizenship, and other services for which they may be eligible.

Honoring Dr. Eva Stitt, DBHDS

The ONA team wishes to remember our dear friend, colleague, and esteemed ONA Advisory Board member, Dr. Eva Stitt. Her lifelong dedication to advocating for mental health within the refugee and immigrant community ensures that her legacy will remain with us. Dr. Stitt's profound passion, unwavering commitment, and boundless compassion have left an enduring imprint on those fortunate enough to have known her. She will forever be cherished in our hearts.

The Office of New Americans Advisory Board (ONAAB) Public Meeting on April 17, 2024

The ONAAB was established by the General Assembly in 2020 to advise the Governor, cabinet members, and the General Assembly on strategies to improve state policies and programs to support the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans throughout the Commonwealth. Click here for more information about how to join the April meeting in-person or virtually, and to learn more about the ONAAB and its members.

ONA Resource Handbooks

Available in English and Spanish

For low-cost and free statewide immigration services and resources, see ONA’s Resource Handbooks. If your organization would like to update the information included or add to the handbooks, please contact Liliana Penalver. View full list of Resource Handbooks by region.

VCU Study: Barriers to Integration of Virginia's Immigrants

In 2021, ONA commissioned a research team within VCU to conduct a needs assessment study of Virginia's immigrant population, including geographical breakdowns of immigrants by language and other key information. Report summaries are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Korean. Find the full report here.

Hosting a community event? We would love to help spread the word! Please reach out to liliana.penalver@dss.virginia.gov with further information.

Federal, State, and Local News

New ASPE Report Details Economic Contributions of Refugees and Asylees

A February 2024 report published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that from 2005-2009, refugees and asylees contributed more revenue than they cost in expenditures to the government, with $123 billion in net benefit to federal, state and local governments. See the seven-page brief and full report, The Fiscal Impact of Refugees and Asylees at the Federal, State, and Local Levels from 2005-2019.

Roanoke Certified as a Welcoming Community

The City of Roanoke has been leading a multi-year effort to engage residents and community organizations to support immigrants and refugees and ensure equitable and meaningful access to City programs and services. This had led Welcoming America to name Roanoke as a "Certified Welcoming" city. Read more >>

POLICY UPDATES

New USCIS Fee Rule and Expanded Exemptions

Effective April 1, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services implemented a new rule updating request fees and fee waiver eligibility for people applying for adjustment of immigration status and naturalization benefits. More information about the new fees and expanded fee exemptions for certain applicants can be found here.

Community Resources

VIRTUAL TRAININGS

& WEBINARS

Weekly Office Hours for Legal Questions Related to OAR Parolees

Hosted by VECINA and Switchboard

Every Thursday, 2-3PM EDT

Special Education Series in Spanish

with the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC)

April 16, 6:30PM EDT

Immigrant Victims of Crime: Best Practices and Remedies

with Roper Victim Assistance Academy of Maryland, University of Baltimore

April 23, 9AM-12PM EDT

Foreign National Sex Trafficking Rings Operating in the U.S.

with Children's Fund

April 25, 5-9PM EDT

Community Health Workers Training in Spanish

with VA Community Health Workers Association. Sign up early!

Weekly, August 12-September 21, 6-8PM EDT

2-1-1 Virginia provides information and referrals for food, shelter, rent, mental health, and other statewide resources. Dial 2-1-1 at any time for information.

The DHS Blue Campaign aims to help community partners recognize the indicators of human trafficking and reduce victimization within vulnerable populations. See website for trainings and free delivery of outreach materials in 16+ languages.

Informed Immigrant connects the immigrant community and service providers with necessary information and resources.

Protecting Immigrant Families has Connected to Healthcare materials in nine languages that can be adapted for your program's use. See PIF's Immigrant Rights two-pager.

Hispanic Heritage Foundation works to inspire, prepare, and connect Latinos in six areas of focus: education, workforce, social impact, justice, and culture, through leadership.