Dear Friend of IIA,
Welcome back to our first newsletter of 2026 and thank you for being part of the IIA community. Whether you have supported our work for years or are newly connected, we are truly grateful. We could not do this work without you.
This month, we are sharing updates from IIA, stories from our community, immigration news, resources, and ways to stay connected and involved.
Thank You for Showing Up
We want to begin with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has shown up for our immigrant community in recent months.
During our holiday fundraiser, you helped raise $38,640, ensuring we can continue serving immigrant families and keep our doors open.
When we shared that many community members would be losing SNAP benefits, you responded immediately and generously. Between October 21, 2025 and now, IIA has provided food donations and grocery gift cards to 85 immigrant families, representing 417 individuals.
Your care and solidarity made this possible, and we are incredibly grateful.
We are still accepting food and grocery gift card donations. If you would like to help or learn what items are most needed, visit iiakron.org/donation-room.
Celebrating Our Dora Gordon Scholarship Recipient
Each year, IIA awards the $1,000 Dora Gordon Scholarship to a current or former IIA client or family member pursuing higher education. The scholarship honors Dora Gordon, who volunteered as a teacher at IIA for 22 years and believed deeply in the power of education for immigrant families.
This year, we are honored to recognize Rose Etungano.
Rose shares
“My name is Rose Etungano, and I was born and raised in Tanzania. I am a diverse individual whose cultural background and life experiences have shaped my academic journey and personal growth. I had the opportunity to attend a private Christian school, which played a significant role in building my strong foundation in education, and inspired me to pursue higher education. I am currently working toward my bachelor’s degree at The University of Akron, where I continue to grow academically and personally.
Receiving the Dora Gordon Scholarship will greatly ease the financial burden of tuition and allow me to focus more fully on my studies and academic goals. I am truly grateful to the International Institute of Akron for this support, as it enables me to continue pursuing my education with confidence and determination. This spring, I will be volunteering with Open Arms Hispanic Ministries to further serve and support my community. This scholarship not only supports my academic journey but also motivates me to keep pushing forward and striving for success.”
Immigration Updates: What We Are Seeing
Immigration policy continues to change quickly, creating uncertainty and fear for many families in our community.
Expanded travel bans: People from 75 countries are currently not receiving decisions on immigrant visa applications while these bans remain in place, leaving many families waiting with no clear timeline.
Paused USCIS cases: Many immigration cases handled by USCIS for individuals from affected countries are still on hold, which means applications are delayed and people may be left without updates for long periods of time.
Loss of humanitarian protections: Some temporary humanitarian protections, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), continue to be rolled back, putting individuals and families at greater risk of losing legal protection and stability in the U.S.
If you would like to support IIA’s immigration legal work and help families navigate these ongoing changes, please consider clicking the button below.
Finding What You Need, All in One Place
We have updated our Resources page to make it easier to find information quickly and clearly. The page now includes advocacy tools, educational materials, immigration news, and Know Your Rights information in one accessible space.
We will continue adding new resources and updates as things evolve.
Visit www.iiakron.org/resources
If there are topics or resources, you’d like for us to add, let us know. We are always happy to help!
Client Story: Persevering Through Uncertainty
An IIA client had been working at Amazon for about a year when, over the Summer, she was unexpectedly terminated along with other members of her community following changes to work authorization policies.
She went five months without being able to work and relied on savings to get by. During this time, IIA staff learned that she, along with others, had been impacted by an investment scheme, resulting in a loss of five thousand dollars.
Despite these setbacks, she continued attending English classes consistently and made significant improvements in her language skills. Ongoing changes to work authorization made employment options difficult to identify, but her Employment Case Manager worked closely with IIA’s Legal team to understand her options.
After applying for asylum, she received new employment authorization. Her case manager connected her with an employer who offered her a position and provides transportation to and from work.
Through her persistence and the coordinated support of IIA staff, she is once again working and rebuilding stability in her life.
Whistles Available at IIA
Exciting news! A generous supporter donated 3D-printed whistles for the International Institute of Akron to share with our community.
These whistles are part of a grassroots effort to help community members signal to each other and raise awareness of federal immigration enforcement activity, allowing neighbors to alert one another and mobilize support when needed. Learn more about them here: How whistles became a 'tool of resistance' against ICE raids
Want one? Stop by our office during work hours at:
530 S Main St, Floor 6, Akron, OH 44311
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, giving families access to food and household essentials with dignity and flexibility.
Advocate
Stay engaged and informed around 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 makes a difference.
With Gratitude
To our donors, volunteers, partners, and community members, thank you for standing with immigrant and refugee families during a challenging time. Because of you, our community continues to find care, stability, and hope.