March at IIA: Community Impact, Cultural Celebrations, and Continued Advocacy

Thank you for staying connected with the International Institute of Akron. Your continued support helps ensure that immigrant and refugee families in our community have access to the resources, care, and opportunities they deserve.

This month, we’re sharing updates on our community impact, important news, cultural celebrations, and ways to stay engaged.

Learn more

Thank You to Akron Community Foundation

We extend our sincere gratitude to Akron Community Foundation for their generous support through the Summit County Opioid Healing Fund and general operating funds.

Because of this investment, IIA can continue expanding substance use prevention efforts and providing vital, culturally responsive support to immigrant and refugee families across our community.

IIA Food Pantry Impact

From November 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, IIA’s emergency food pantry served 922 individuals across 201 families.

This effort was made possible by the incredible support of our community and was created in response to the sudden loss of SNAP benefits for many immigrant and refugee households.

As we begin to wind down pantry operations, our case managers have been working closely with families to ensure continued food security by connecting them with local food banks and community resources. Families have also been referred to additional IIA services, including employment support and English language learning, to help address ongoing needs.

If you would still like to support families during times of emergency, we will continue accepting grocery store gift cards.

Learn more

In the News

Recent reporting highlights ongoing legal challenges surrounding birthright citizenship. The Supreme Court appears inclined to rule against efforts to limit this constitutional right. IIA will update as we hear more. 

Read more: NPR – Supreme Court majority seems inclined to rule against Trump on birthright citizenship

Celebrating International Women’s Day, Eid, and Nowruz
March was a month of meaningful celebrations both here in Akron and around the world.

International Women’s Day (March 8)
This global day recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also serving as a call to action for gender equality.

At IIA, we celebrated the incredible women who strengthen our organization and community every day through their leadership, resilience, and care.

Learn more: PBS News – International Women’s Day

Eid al Fitr (March 20)
Marking the end of Ramadan, Eid is a time of joy, reflection, and community. After a month of fasting, Muslim families gather to celebrate with food, prayer, and connection.

Learn more: What is Eid al Fitr? 

Nowruz (March 21)
Observed the day after Eid this year, Nowruz marks the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring. This 3,000-year-old celebration emphasizes renewal, hope, and new beginnings, and is celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide.

Learn more: Nowruz – Persian New Year (History Channel)

Bonus video: Nowruz traditions and celebrations

Updated Resources Page

Our resources page continues to grow with advocacy updates, Know Your Rights information, and educational content.

We’ve also added a curated list of movies, documentaries, and TV shows that explore the immigrant experience.

Highlights include:

  • Minari (2020) – A Korean American family pursues their version of the American Dream in rural Arkansas

  • Mo (2022 to 2025) – A comedy drama following a Palestinian refugee navigating life in Houston

  • Living Undocumented (2019) – A docuseries sharing the realities faced by undocumented families in the United States

You’ll also find recommended books, articles, and podcasts for deeper learning.

Resources page

Anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980

This month marks the 46th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980, a landmark law that established a more humane and consistent system for refugee resettlement in the United States.

This legislation was shaped in part by the experiences of Vietnamese families displaced after the Vietnam War, whose journeys underscored the urgent need for protection and dignity.

Today, we reflect on that legacy at a time when refugee resettlement is facing significant strain. Over the past year, federal actions have:

  • Paused new refugee arrivals

  • Canceled travel for individuals already approved

  • Restricted eligibility for resettlement

  • Dramatically lowered the annual admissions ceiling

As a result, thousands of refugees remain in limbo, including families separated by sudden travel cancellations and individuals stranded despite years of vetting.

Resettlement agencies across the country have also faced severe funding disruptions, limiting their ability to support newly arrived families.

As we honor this anniversary, we are reminded that the need for safety, dignity, and welcome remains as urgent today as ever.

Learn more

We’re Hiring: Contract Interpreters

IIA is currently seeking contract interpreters to support our growing community.

If you are multilingual and passionate about helping others access critical services, we encourage you to apply.

Learn more: Join Our Team — IIA

How to Get Involved

Donate
Support IIA programs that help immigrants navigate legal, employment, and educational challenges during uncertain times.

Donate Here

Grocery Gift Cards
Help families facing food insecurity by donating grocery gift cards or items from IIA’s donation list.

Learn More

Advocate

Stay informed about SB172 and other policies impacting immigrant communities. Sharing accurate information and raising your voice makes a difference.

Advocate

With Gratitude

We extend our deepest thanks to the greater Akron and Summit County community.

Whether you are a donor, volunteer, partner, advocate, or someone who takes the time to stay informed, your support matters more than you may realize.

We are here because you are here, and we are deeply grateful.

February at IIA: Community Support, Advocacy, and Cultural Celebrations

Thank you for staying connected with the International Institute of Akron. Your support, compassion, and willingness to stay informed make an enormous difference for immigrant and refugee families in our community.
This month, we’re sharing updates from IIA, immigration news, a client story, resources, and ways to stay engaged.

Supporting Families Through Our Food Pantry


Food insecurity continues to affect many families we serve, and thanks to community support, IIA has been able to help meet these urgent needs.


In February, 15 families representing 44 individuals received food and grocery gift cards through our temporary pantry.


Since launching the pantry in November 2025, more than 100 families totaling 461 individuals have received food assistance from IIA.


These numbers represent more than meals. They reflect neighbors coming together to ensure families have the stability and dignity they deserve during difficult times.


Thank you to everyone who has donated food, grocery gift cards, and resources to make this possible.

Support IIA's Pantry Here

Immigration News Update: DHS Memo Affecting Refugees


On February 18, the Department of Homeland Security issued a memo stating that individuals who have not applied for permanent residency, also known as a Green Card, by the time they reach one year in the United States may be subject to re-examination and possible detention.

This guidance has created confusion and concern for many refugee families. Under current law, refugees cannot apply for permanent residency until they have been in the United States for at least one year. As a result, the memo raises significant questions about how the policy may be implemented.

IIA released a public statement in response to this policy, highlighting its potential impact on refugee families.

If you would like to learn more, you can read the following resources:

We will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more information becomes available.

Client Story: Finding Hope Together

 
Recently, our team at IIA had the privilege of supporting a Ukrainian neighbor who endured more than a year of uncertainty while awaiting re-parole approval. This long wait brought not only stress and worry about her immigration status, but also financial challenges.

When her re-parole was conditionally approved, she was faced with a $1,000 approval fee. Our staff stood by her side, helping her navigate the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to submit the payment, and worked with her every step of the way to bring more stability to her life.

Her case manager enrolled her in IIA’s social services program, helped with medical bills, and worked closely with hospital billing departments to resolve outstanding charges. We also assisted in transferring her benefits case to Summit County Job and Family Services. There, her immigration status was updated, and she was approved for Medicaid, easing the burden of many prior medical bills.
 
Meanwhile, we helped her set up a USCIS online account to track her employment authorization application and stay informed about her case. Not long after, she received the good news: her approval and updated immigration documents had arrived!
 
Support didn’t stop there. We encouraged her to join ESL classes and showed her the bus route from Kent to Akron, making sure she felt welcome and able to attend regularly.
 
Now, she’s looking forward to starting work as soon as her new employment authorization card arrives.
 
Her story reminds us that, while the path through immigration can be overwhelming and complex, no one has to walk it alone. By coming together, we can help our neighbors find hope and stability, even in uncertain times.

Support IIA Social Services Here

Celebrating Lunar New Year and Ramadan
February was also a meaningful month for cultural and religious celebrations within our community.

This year, Lunar New Year was celebrated on February 17, marking the beginning of a new year in many East and Southeast Asian cultures. The holiday is often celebrated with family gatherings, traditional foods, and wishes for health and prosperity in the year ahead.

Shortly after, Ramadan began on February 18. Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam and is observed by Muslims worldwide through fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

If you would like to learn more about these important holidays, here are a few resources:

About Ramadan -

About Lunar New Year - 

 

We wish a joyful Lunar New Year and a peaceful and meaningful Ramadan to all who celebrate.

Resources 

Here are a few additional resources that help provide context about immigration policy and detention in the United States:

These resources explore the systems and policies that shape immigration enforcement and detention in the United States.

Ways to Stand With IIA

Donate
Support IIA’s programs and services that help immigrants navigate legal, employment, and education challenges during uncertain times.

Food and Grocery Gift Card Donations
Help families facing food insecurity by donating grocery gift cards or food items from IIA’s donation list. These donations allow families to access food and household essentials with dignity and flexibility.

Advocate
Stay engaged and informed about SB172 and other policies impacting immigrant communities. Raising your voice and sharing accurate information helps create meaningful change.

Check in on Immigrant Friends and Neighbors
What is happening in our communities is frightening and isolating for many. Reaching out, showing care, staying informed, and standing together truly make a difference.

With Gratitude


We would like to extend our continued gratitude to the greater Akron and Summit County community.

Whether you are a donor, volunteer, partner, someone who shares IIA posts, or someone who takes the time to stay informed about issues affecting immigrants and refugees, your support matters more than you may realize.

We are here because you are here, and we are deeply grateful.