Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants

America stands as a symbol of hope, resilience, and new beginnings. At CIRI, we celebrate the incredible strength of refugees and immigrants who seek safety and the promise of a better life in the country. Just as America embodies opportunity, our mission at CIRI is to support and empower those seeking a fresh start, embracing the spirit of freedom and possibility that defines this nation. Wishing all of you a safe and happy holiday weekend. Our offices will be closed Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th. See you Monday!

As we head into the holiday weekend, let’s take a moment to celebrate new beginnings and big accomplishments. 🙌 4-year-old Matthew and his mother recently arrived to America from Venezuela. Just a few days after their arrival, one of CIRI’s R&P Case Managers, Azhar, shared in Matthew’s excitement and during their car ride. Matthew’s joy is a beautiful reminder of the strength of our refugee families as they embark on their new journeys in America. This Independence Day, let’s honor the courage of families like Matthew’s who have made incredible strides toward a brighter future. As we celebrate freedom and independence, let’s also remember the importance of welcoming and supporting those who seek safety and opportunity in America. 🎆 ❤️

Each year on June 20th, #WorldRefugeeDay is an occasion to honor the incredible resilience of refugees and other forcibly displaced individuals. It’s also a vital opportunity to advocate for stronger protections and encourage support of those seeking safety in the U.S. Over the weekend, we celebrated CIRI at Seaside Park in Bridgeport with a beautiful event that brought our community together. Everyone enjoyed a day filled with fun and festivities, and we were honored to be featured on News 12 Connecticut! CIRI recognized our clients with a traditional American picnic for the refugee families we have resettled in Connecticut. There was food, games, and lots of fun, as our clients continue the process of integrating into our community. This celebration was also a chance to learn about the refugee experience in Connecticut in a casual environment. Some of our resettled refugees include families who have fled Afghanistan, Ukraine, Congo, Syria, and other countries. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this special day and for supporting the refugee community. Special acknowledgement to our staff and volunteers, News 12, Our Woven Community at Burroughs Community Center, Bridgeport Public Library, Mayor Joseph Ganim, Bridgeport Police Department, Casa Bianca Pizza New Haven, and our heartfelt gratitude to Tzedakah House, LLC for their generous sponsorship and support in making this event a success. Your contributions were crucial, and we truly could not have achieved this without you! You can watch News12’s video here: https://lnkd.in/etWWMU4A!

📢 ONE WEEK FROM TODAY: Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 27th to learn more about volunteering opportunities with CIRI! Your time, effort, and dedication as a volunteer will make a world of a difference in the lives of refugees, immigrants, and survivors in Connecticut! We hope to see you there!

As we celebrate #Juneteenth, CIRI honors the resilience and achievements of the Black Americans who fought for freedom and equality, acknowledging the deep suffering endured. This significant day is a powerful reminder of the relentless struggle for justice, resonating deeply with refugees and immigrants who seek safety, freedom, and new beginnings. Just as Juneteenth marks a pivotal step toward equality, CIRI is dedicated to supporting those embarking on new journeys, overcoming adversity, and enriching our community. In observance of today, our office will be closed to celebrate Juneteenth, reflecting on our shared mission of freedom, inclusion, and the ongoing pursuit of fundamental rights for all. 🌻

As our CIRI family continues to grow, welcoming more clients, our office stays buzzing with activity. Amidst these busy times, our team ensures an encouraging environment where we can all collaborate and flourish. Each day, we work together to provide essential assistance and services. We are grateful for the opportunity to assist so many individuals, and for our exceptional staff, interns, and volunteers who make it all possible. Thank you to our amazing CIRI team. Your kindness and commitment are the heart of our success, and together, we make a positive impact daily. ✨🤝

Today and always, we celebrate generosity at CIRI. Over the past few weeks, we have been honored with grants from two valued organizations, helping us continue our mission of providing essential services to refugees and immigrants in Connecticut. CIRI was recognized by the Westport Rotary Club with a $4,000 grant, part of their annual foundation and private donations. This support enables us to continue serving over 5,000 refugees and immigrants with programs in refugee services, human trafficking, legal services, and workforce training. The award was presented to our CEO, Susan Schnitzer, by Peter Helt, Charitable Giving Chair of the Westport Rotary Club, with Chris Altrock, Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations, also in attendance. Additionally, CIRI received a $10,000 grant from the New Canaan Community Foundation this week at an award ceremony at Grace Farms Foundation. These funds will be directed toward our Immigration Legal Services, which have expanded to address the urgent and complex legal needs of our clients. CIRI was one of ninety-one non-profits to receive grants from NCCF, a long-standing partner that has supported us for over a decade. We are deeply grateful to the New Canaan Community Foundation and the Westport Rotary Club for their generous support and commitment to our cause. These grants empower us to continue our work and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. Because of you, our community is more inclusive and stronger than ever. 🙌

On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, the Biden administration announced a series of executive actions that will effectively close the border to many asylum seekers. According to a new interim final rule, individuals seeking protection between ports of entry along the U.S. southern border will be deemed ineligible for asylum, leading to their deportation without legal process. This rule will be triggered when the average number of crossings between ports exceeds 2,500 daily, potentially taking immediate effect. At CIRI, we welcome refugees and immigrants, knowing they enrich our communities with their diverse backgrounds and experiences. Working within the legal system, we are committed to ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect. We provide services that enable them to become fully functioning contributors to our community. It is clear that the current immigration system faces significant challenges, and we believe there are more effective and compassionate ways to address these issues. While we do not believe that President Biden’s executive order is a fair or productive way to address the failings of federal policy, we support bipartisan legislation that seeks to reform the system. This approach aims to restore order while protecting immigrants and creating pathways for the families and workers we need to grow our economy. We remain dedicated to advocating for policies that honor the dignity of all individuals and foster a welcoming environment for everyone.

June is #ImmigrantHeritageMonth, and we are dedicated to protecting our clients from immigration scams. ⚠️ Unfortunately, individuals posing as “immigration experts” often deceive and exploit newcomers and newly arrived families seeking assistance, taking their money under false pretenses. This is illegal. Common scams include: - Government impersonators - Misleading offers of support - Requests for payments by phone or email Remember: - CIRI is a DOJ-recognized agency authorized to provide legal services to those in need. - USCIS will never contact you requesting payments by phone or email. We urge you to protect yourself and your family from these scams. Ensure that anyone assisting you with your immigration case is authorized to help. For accurate information and legal assistance, visit the www.uscis.gov/avoidscams or call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. For additional resources and support, please reach out to CIRI. Join us in working to ensure our immigrant community remains safe and well-informed.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 #HappyPrideMonth! At CIRI, we warmly celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, honoring love, diversity, and the courage to live authentically. Our commitment to inclusivity and support extends to all our clients, staff, and volunteers. Pride Month is a time to reflect on the progress made and acknowledge the challenges still faced by many. It's a reminder that everyone deserves to be embraced for who they are, without fear of discrimination or prejudice. To our LGBTQ+ friends, colleagues, and clients – we see you, we support you, and we stand with you. Your stories inspire us, and your courage empowers us to continue our mission of building a community where everyone feels valued and respected. Happy Pride Month from all of us at CIRI – as we celebrate, we invite everyone to build a world where love and acceptance are the foundations for everyone. 🌈