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VDSS Office of New Americans
REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SERVICES
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Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month Across Virginia
We continue celebrating Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month in October, honoring the rich legacy, resilience, and multigenerational journeys that unite our communities. This time is about more than cuisine or music, it is a time to recognize the stories, contributions, and shared pursuit of hope and opportunity that connect past and present, inspiring our future together.
In this spirit of recognition, an important event will take place this month to honor individuals who have made a significant impact on Virginia’s immigrant and Latino communities. Since 2021, Radio Poder has hosted the annual “Persona de Poder” (People of Will and Power) awards, celebrating those who lead through example, voice, and action. The grand celebration is set for Saturday, October 11th, from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
We are especially proud that Liliana Penalver, from our Office of New Americans team, is among this year’s honorees. We also congratulate all of the 2025 recipients and thank them for their dedication and contributions to empowering immigrant communities in Virginia.
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New American Voices Award Ceremony
The New American Voices Award is an annual event established in 2018 by Fall for the Book and GMU the Institute for Immigration Research to honor recently published works that share the complexity of the immigrant experience, amplifying voices often underrepresented in American literature. The 2025 event will bring together three powerful finalists, Olufunke Grace Bankole, Cristina Jiménez, and Shubha Sunder, who will be joined by judges Marie Myung-Ok Lee, Brando Skyhorse, and Mary-Alice Daniel. The ceremony, preceded by a light reception, will take place at George Mason University Center for the Arts, Grand Tier III, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA, on October 9, 2025, as part of the Fall for the Book Festival running from October 7–11, 2025.
For a complete festival schedule here. Free registration to the ceremony here.
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Virginia Diversity Network Fall 2025 Conference: From Stories to Belonging
The Virginia Diversity Network Fall 2025 Conference, themed “From Stories to Belonging,” will be held on October 9 at Sabot School, located at 3400 Stony Point Road, Richmond, VA. Running from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, this event brings together educators, leaders, and community members to learn, grow, share, and mentor as a collective. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, participate in interactive sessions, and build networks focused on fostering diversity and inclusion throughout Virginia. Cost: $15 Registration.
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22nd Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference
Hybrid (virtual and in-person)
The 22nd Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference will take place on October 9, 2025, at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, with a hybrid format that allows virtual participation as well. Organized by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., the Migration Policy Institute, and Georgetown Law, the conference brings together leading policymakers, government officials, attorneys, researchers, and advocates to discuss key immigration policy and legal issues. Attendees can expect thoughtful analysis and lively discussion of current topics shaping the national immigration debate, with sessions available both in-person and online for broader access. Registration.
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2025 Virginia Education and Workforce Conference
The Virginia Chamber Foundation and partners invite educators, business leaders, policymakers, and community advocates to the 2025 Virginia Education & Workforce Conference on October 14, 9 AM–2 PM at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The event will highlight collaborations between education and workforce sectors, showcase student-led demonstrations, and share priorities from the developing Blueprint Virginia 2035. This is a ticketed event with a registration fee. More information and registration here.
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Stories of Hope: Celebrating a Decade of Refugee Voices in Richmond
Join the International Rescue Committee (IRC) for “Stories of Hope: A Decade of the IRC in Richmond” taking place on October 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Workshop by T&D, 1400 Mactavish Ave, Richmond, VA. This event will spotlight powerful refugee stories and interactive panels featuring advocates and survivors, offering firsthand insights into resilience, hope, and the journey of rebuilding lives.
For more information to join this event here.
| | Promoting your organization's services, educational webinars, or community events? We would love to help spread the word! Please reach out to liliana.penalver@dss.virginia.gov to share your initiatives and ensure that Virginians have access to valuable resources and events. Together, we can enhance awareness of resources and strengthen support for New Americans in Virginia! | | | Federal, State, and Local News | | |
Policy Updates and News
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Federal judge announces extension of order blocking immediate deportations of Guatemalan children in U.S. shelters while legal challenges continue.
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USCIS announces a new harder civics test for naturalization effective October 20, 2025: Applicants will need to correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions from a larger bank, with a bigger focus on history and government.
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Federal Judges Block Policy Excluding Immigrants: Federal Judges Block Administration Policy Excluding Immigrants from Head Start and Other Programs (press release).
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H-1B visa: A new $100,000 fee is now required for each new H-1B petition, effective September 22. For more details, see the official USCIS guidance here.
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New restrictions for non-citizen CDL applicants: The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued an emergency rule, effective immediately, setting stricter eligibility and documentation requirements for non-citizens seeking commercial driver’s licenses nationwide, including Virginia. See the official announcement here and the FMCSA fact sheet here.
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TPS for Syrians: On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria will terminate effective November 21, 2025.
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Walmart Spark Good Grant Opportunities
Walmart’s Spark Good Local Grants support local organizations with cash awards from $250 to $5,000 to address unique community needs where Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and Distribution Centers operate. These grants are open to eligible nonprofits, schools, and agencies making a positive local impact. Application Deadline: October 15 2025.
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Gateways for Growth Challenge: Application Deadline Extended
Round VI of the Gateways for Growth Challenge (G4G) has extended its application deadline to Friday, October 10 at 5 PM local time. This year-long opportunity offers no-cost support from Welcoming America and the American Immigration Council, helping communities advance immigrant inclusion through local research, technical assistance, and peer learning. For more information here.
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The Dream Project CTE Scholarship 2025-2026
The Dream Project CTE Scholarship is an annual, renewable $4,000 award for immigrant students pursuing post-secondary education in a skilled trade or profession. For the upcoming cycle, applications open October 1, 2025, and close October 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated interest in their chosen career path, strong work ethic, community involvement, and personal resilience. This scholarship supports technical and vocational education, recognizing students’ commitment and potential to make a positive impact in their fields and communities. More information here. Available flyer here.
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New Training by The Culturally Specific Resource Consortium
The Culturally Specific Resource Consortium has launched as a new training and technical assistance hub created by ASISTA, Esperanza United, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV), and Ujima. This resource will strengthen culturally specific community-based organizations by enhancing your capacity to provide responsive services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Registration.
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Resource Highlight: Virginia Poverty Law Center
We want to highlight the important work of the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) in keeping organizations and the community informed about policy changes that affect immigrant access to health care and public benefits. VPLC has been proactive in hosting webinars addressing issues such as data privacy and evolving eligibility for Medicaid and SNAP, helping service providers and families navigate complex changes. If you missed their recent session, a recording of the webinar is available for viewing. VPLC has put together a helpful list of resources, including Frequently Asked Questions about the new data privacy policies and their impact on Medicaid and SNAP applications for immigrants.
Additionally, visit VPLC’s Immigration Rights and Resources page for information on emergency preparation. These resources are designed to help the community stay informed and supported.
| | | Trainings and Community Resources | | TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES | |
Creating Inclusive, Welcoming Economies through Worker Cooperative Businesses
Welcoming America
Oct 1, 1 PM - Virtual
Lunch & Learn: Best Support Practices for area Professional Serving Immigrant Families
Child Health Partnership
Oct 3, 12 PM - Virtual
Virtual Panel: Impact of Violence on Emotional Wellbeing
Women for Aghan Women
Oct 6, 2 PM - Virtual
Leading for Change: Why Immigrant Leaders Matter in Government
African Bridge Network
Oct 6, 5 PM - Virtual
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Hanover County Behavioral Health Wellness Team
Oct 7, 9 AM - Virtual
Rooted in Welcome: Stories of Immigrants, Community, and Connection in Rural America
Welcoming America
Oct 7, 2 PM - Virtual
Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
Greater Richmond Scan
Oct 7, 2 PM to 4 PM - Virtual
*CEU's Available
Cultivating Authentic Community Engagement
Greater Richmond Scan
Oct 8, 10 AM - Virtual
Immigration Briefings
ILRC
Oct 8 and 22, 1 PM - Virtual
*Provide overviews of new announcements and policies.
Legal Q&A session for social service providers working with unaccompanied children
USCRI
Oct 8, 2 PM - Virtual
Más Que History: What Latinx Studies Teach Us About Today
NLCUP
Oct 9, 1 PM - Virtual
Breaking the Silence: Domestic Violence and Immigrant Rights
SAAPRI
Oct 9, 6 PM - Virtual
Ancestral Behavioral Health with Latine Clients
El Futuro org
Oct 10, 12 PM to 1:30 PM - Virtual
*1.5 CE credits
Multilingualism and Diversity: Impact on Education, Health and Society seminar series 2025-26
UCL
Oct 13 to May 2026 - Virtual
Worker Ownership to Create a Welcoming Economy: Lessons from Welcoming Cities
Welcoming America
Oct 15, 1 PM - Virtual
Immigration Policies and Its Impact on Health Care
HealthAffairs
Oct 15, 1 PM - Virtual
Immigration, Mental Health, & Health Care Access Among Latinos in Rural Areas
Nebraska University
Oct 16, 1 PM - Virtual
2nd Annual ONE Language Services Conference
One Language Services
Oct 18, 8 AM - Virtual
Windows, Mirrors and Migration: Tackling the Literacy Crisis and Building Empathy Through Literature
The Immigrant Learning Center
Oct 22, 4 PM - Virtual
Thriving Together: A Global Diversity Month Virtual Experience
Immigrants in Corporate Inc.
Oct 22, 5 PM - Virtual
African Immigrant Advocacy and Policy Conference 2025
The African Immigrant Collective
Oct 25, 10 AM to 3 PM - Virtual
Trauma-Informed Strategies
Greater Richmond Scan
Oct 29, 1 PM to 3 PM - Virtual
*CEU's Available
Medicaid/FAMIS workshop
Virginia Health Care Foundation
Oct 30, 10 AM to 3 PM - Virtual
*Register by Oct 23
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The Migration Policy Institute National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy has released a new series of fact sheets and interactive data tools on the young Dual Language Learner (DLL) child population at the national and state levels. With DLLs accounting for one-third of U.S. children ages 0-5, these resources provide crucial data on household characteristics, languages spoken, income levels, and parental education—offering valuable insights for state and local leaders aiming to improve program access and outcomes for DLLs. Key links include an interactive data tool and a downloadable 50-state spreadsheet, which are especially valuable for agencies seeking to understand and support the diverse needs of DLL families. Additionally read the VA state fact sheet: A Data Profile of Young Dual Language Learners and Implications for Early Childhood Programs in Virginia.
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Re-Imagining Migration created the Back to School Package to support educators during this critical season. The package is designed to help schools foster belonging from day one and includes narrative rich resources, professional development, and practical tools that educators can use immediately. Access to the kits is free with a simple sign-in. This fall, school leaders and teachers have the opportunity to foster environments where every student, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, feels valued and supported.
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Developed by Switchboard and the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers, this resource presents examples of community-based health initiatives and offers practical ideas for how partners can connect and collaborate. It is intended to help service providers and community organizations leverage local resources, identify health needs, and build effective partnerships that support the health of refugee and newcomer communities. Download guide.
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Published by World Education Services, “Career Pathways in Allied Health: Using Your Education in the United States” offers concise guidance and resources to help internationally trained immigrants navigate credentialing, career opportunities, and alternative pathways in the U.S. allied health field. Request Free download guide.
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Created by Switchboard, this toolkit provides a comprehensive, client-centered framework for caseworkers, supervisors, and managers serving individuals and families impacted by conflict, persecution, violence, environmental disasters, and human rights violations. Given the diverse and continuously changing backgrounds of those served, the toolkit emphasizes flexible and responsive case management tailored to unique client needs, with practical tools and guidance for delivering effective support. Download toolkit.
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Welcome.US has launched a new toolkit on deep listening, offering actionable strategies to help individuals foster meaningful conversations and build bridges across differences. This practical toolkit is designed for Welcomers seeking to create belonging, build trust, bridge divides, and cultivate strong, inclusive relationships. It guides users in attentive listening, providing tools to deepen empathy, connection, and understanding in diverse communities. To access the toolkit, here.
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National Immigration Law Center released updated resources on higher education for immigrant students, including a toolkit for students, advocates, and legislators who are interested in policies to improve higher education access for immigrant students. Access the toolkit here, an updated fact sheet on in-state tuition for undocumented students here, and a table summarizing tuition equity and financial aid policies by state here.
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Sesame Street offers free, bilingual resources for providers supporting families through displacement and resettlement. Materials including activities, videos, and guides are available in multiple languages such as English, Dahri, Hebrew, Pashto, Spanish, Arabic, and Ukrainian. These resources help families cope with trauma, stress, and big changes, while building belonging and practicing self-care. Topics also cover creating routines, supporting emotional wellness, and encouraging children’s confidence and learning, providing practical support during difficult transitions.
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ChildSavers and their Child Development Services team are offering a variety of free and low-cost workshops for Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators this October, November, and December. Explore the training calendar for upcoming opportunities here.
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Click on each region for a listing of cultural festivals, mobile clinics, information sessions, job fairs, networking meetings and other local events: | |
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