This Month at IIA: Community Support, Critical Advocacy, and Hopeful Progress

Your support continues to sustain the International Institute of Akron during a challenging season for immigrant and refugee families. This month, our community stepped up to meet urgent needs, advance justice, and advocate for those most affected by shifting federal policies. We are deeply grateful to everyone who stands with us.

Annual Fundraiser Update: Together, We’re Building Stability

Our annual fundraiser is underway! Thanks to our community’s early generosity, we’ve already raised over half of our $20,000 goal for January 15. These funds ensure IIA remains fully staffed and equipped to meet the growing needs of immigrant and refugee families.

Thank you for helping us build a community where everyone has access to safety, stability, and belonging.

 
 
Support IIA Here

Food Assistance Update: Over 280 People Supported

Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors across Summit County, IIA has been able to provide urgent support to families who recently lost access to food benefits.
Since October 30th:

  • We assisted over 280 people, representing more than 60 families.

  • We distributed over $4,300 in grocery gift cards, in addition to supplying families with food from our Donation Room.

We are especially grateful to community members, local faith groups, and local organizations who organized food drives on our behalf. Their generosity reminds us that community care is powerful and essential.

Learn How You Can Help

IIA Board Member Tania Nemer Takes Action for Civil Rights

We are proud to share that IIA board member Tania Nemer is standing up for justice on a national stage. NPR recently reported on her lawsuit challenging the circumstances of her removal from a previous government position, an important case with implications for civil rights nationwide.

Her courage and leadership embody the values that guide IIA: fairness, accountability, and advocacy for those navigating unjust systems.

Read the full story: Fired worker sues government in a case that could upend civil rights laws — NPR

A Special Thank You: GAR Foundation and Akron Community Foundation

This month, we received vital support from two long-time community partners:

  • GAR Foundation awarded IIA $50,000 for operating support and $20,000 for emergency food assistance for immigrant families recently impacted by federal food benefit changes.

  • Akron Community Foundation awarded $22,000 to strengthen IIA’s Social Services Program.

These investments ensure immigrant and refugee families can access the support they need during a time of heightened uncertainty. We are profoundly grateful.

Immigration News & Advocacy

Asylum Decisions Paused
Following the recent shooting in Washington, federal officials announced a pause in asylum decisions, leaving hundreds of thousands in limbo. Unfortunately, this event has also fueled harmful generalizations targeting Afghan communities.
IIA released a statement reaffirming the dignity of Afghan families and calling for thoughtful, humane immigration reform.
Read the statement: IIA Statement on Recent Rhetoric Targeting Afghan Communities
More on asylum pause: NPR
 
Review and Halt of Biden-Era Refugee Processing
Federal officials have ordered a review of refugees who entered the U.S. between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, over 230,000 people. This directive pauses all permanent residence applications for refugees from this period.
These sudden changes create significant uncertainty for families trying to build stable lives. IIA continues to advocate for humane, consistent, and lawful immigration processes.
Read more: PBS News

Resources & Learning

Staying informed is crucial during times of misinformation and policy shifts. This month, we recommend:

  • UnSpun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation by Brooks Jackson & Kathleen Hall Jamieson

    • A guide to navigating misinformation and media manipulation, especially important when communities face heightened scrutiny. Find a copy here

  • Debunking the Myth of Immigrants and Crime – American Immigration Council

    • A data-driven resource disproving harmful myths linking immigration to crime—an excellent tool for community education. Download the article here

How You Can Support IIA

Your contributions make a real difference:

  • Donate: Help IIA remain fully staffed and able to support growing community needs.

Donate Here

  • Fundraise for IIA: Organize a fundraiser with your workplace, faith community, or local group.

Fundraise for IIA

  • Collect Food or Gift Cards: Support families recently impacted by SNAP benefit changes with non-perishable food or grocery gift cards. Every contribution goes directly to families in need.

Learn More Here

Thank You

To our supporters, donors, volunteers, and partners: thank you for standing with immigrant and refugee families during a challenging time. Because of you, people in our community are finding safety, stability, and hope.

We are deeply grateful.

A Special Thank You: GAR Foundation and Akron Community Foundation

This month, we received vital support from two long-time community partners:

  • GAR Foundation awarded IIA $50,000 for operating support and $20,000 for emergency food assistance for immigrant families recently impacted by federal food benefit changes.

  • Akron Community Foundation awarded $22,000 to strengthen IIA’s Social Services Program.

These investments ensure immigrant and refugee families can access the support they need during a time of heightened uncertainty. We are profoundly grateful.

Immigration News & Advocacy

Asylum Decisions Paused
Following the recent shooting in Washington, federal officials announced a pause in asylum decisions, leaving hundreds of thousands in limbo. Unfortunately, this event has also fueled harmful generalizations targeting Afghan communities.
IIA released a statement reaffirming the dignity of Afghan families and calling for thoughtful, humane immigration reform.
Read the statement: IIA Statement on Recent Rhetoric Targeting Afghan Communities
More on asylum pause: NPR
 
Review and Halt of Biden-Era Refugee Processing
Federal officials have ordered a review of refugees who entered the U.S. between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, over 230,000 people. This directive pauses all permanent residence applications for refugees from this period.
These sudden changes create significant uncertainty for families trying to build stable lives. IIA continues to advocate for humane, consistent, and lawful immigration processes.
Read more: PBS News

Resources & Learning

Staying informed is crucial during times of misinformation and policy shifts. This month, we recommend:

  • UnSpun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation by Brooks Jackson & Kathleen Hall Jamieson

    • A guide to navigating misinformation and media manipulation, especially important when communities face heightened scrutiny. Find a copy here

  • Debunking the Myth of Immigrants and Crime – American Immigration Council

    • A data-driven resource disproving harmful myths linking immigration to crime—an excellent tool for community education. Download the article here

How You Can Support IIA

Your contributions make a real difference:

  • Donate: Help IIA remain fully staffed and able to support growing community needs.

Donate Here

  • Fundraise for IIA: Organize a fundraiser with your workplace, faith community, or local group.

Fundraise for IIA

  • Collect Food or Gift Cards: Support families recently impacted by SNAP benefit changes with non-perishable food or grocery gift cards. Every contribution goes directly to families in need.

Learn More Here

Thank You

To our supporters, donors, volunteers, and partners: thank you for standing with immigrant and refugee families during a challenging time. Because of you, people in our community are finding safety, stability, and hope.

We are deeply grateful.

IIA Statement on Recent Rhetoric Targeting Afghan Communities

AKRON, OH – December 4, 2025 –

In the wake of the recent tragedy in Washington, we are reminded once again how quickly entire communities can be painted with suspicion and blame. Recent comments targeting Afghan evacuees deepen the harm, reducing families who have fled violence and loss to political talking points. This rhetoric does not make our nation safer; it only dehumanizes people who sought refuge here and are working every day to rebuild their lives.

Afghans in the United States are parents, students, workers, and neighbors. They came here because they believed America could offer safety and stability. Many supported U.S. efforts abroad, and thousands endured years of conflict before being evacuated. Their stories are complex, but above all, they are human. They deserve to be spoken about as individuals, not defined by one incident or used as fuel for broader political attacks.

For years, communities, advocates, and organizations across the country have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform. That advocacy has never stopped. What has failed is our political system’s ability to act. Our immigration laws should not shift every four years with a new administration. They should reflect the bipartisan consensus that our current system is outdated, inconsistent, and in urgent need of repair.

People are frustrated with both parties, because Congress has allowed dysfunction to replace progress. Each delay leaves millions of human beings caught in limbo, navigating rules that change faster than any family can keep up with. Immigrants who are not yet citizens bear the heavy burden of this instability, repeatedly used as scapegoats in political fights when all they want is to live safely, work, and contribute to their communities.

We need a system that is humane, consistent, and rooted in dignity. We can honor public safety while also honoring the humanity of those who come to this country seeking protection. Real reform is how we do that. It is long past time for Congress to come together, move beyond rhetoric, and finally build an immigration system worthy of the values we claim to uphold.

This Month at IIA: Community Action, Food Assistance, and Inspiring Stories

Your support allows the International Institute of Akron to meet urgent needs, strengthen families, and create a welcoming community for immigrants and refugees. This month, our community stepped forward in remarkable ways to help families facing food insecurity. We shared important immigration updates, and we continued advocating for those most affected by federal policy changes.

Community Generosity: Supporting Families Facing Food Insecurity

Since our food assistance request on October 21, our community has responded with tremendous generosity. Together, we have raised over $1,200 in grocery gift cards and over 10 tables filled with food we requested to help immigrant and refugee families in Summit County who are struggling to afford food. We also raised over $8000 to help keep our doors open and staff employed to provide critical services for our community.

These funds are already helping families affected by recent SNAP restrictions that make many new arrivals ineligible for food assistance. In a recent Signal Akron story, “SNAP cuts for immigrant families strain Akron food pantries,” Communications Specialist Liv Randall shared how these changes are placing many families at risk.
Your support ensures that families do not face these challenges alone, and we could not be more grateful.

Learn How to Support Here

Community Story: A Mother’s Strength 

This month, IIA assisted a single mother of seven children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who is working tirelessly to support her family.
After years spent in a refugee camp, she resettled in Akron and is now maintaining full-time employment, earning about $17 per hour. Her youngest child was born in the United States and receives $200 in SNAP benefits. However, her six older children, all born in the refugee camp, are still awaiting their Green Cards and are not yet eligible for assistance. With monthly rent of $1,200 plus utilities, she struggles to afford enough food for her children.
On October 31, IIA staff delivered groceries from our Donation Room and $200 in Aldi gift cards directly to her home, as she has no transportation. She shared that she planned to use the gift cards to buy meat for her children, something she has not been able to provide consistently.

Her story reflects the resilience of so many families in our community and demonstrates how your generosity directly improves lives.

Support IIA's Work Here

                Akron Bicentennial Panel: Immigrants in Survival Mode   
As part of Akron’s Bicentennial Celebration, Executive Director Madhu Sharma joined a panel discussion about the impact of immigrants on Akron’s past, present, and future. She emphasized that many immigrant families continue to live in survival mode as they navigate barriers related to housing, employment, legal processes, and meeting basic needs. Her remarks underscored the critical role of community support and organizations like IIA in helping families find stability.

Read more about the discussion here - Akron immigrants are in ‘survival mode’

 

Immigration News: Citizenship Test Changes 

NPR recently reported that beginning October 20, the U.S. citizenship test is becoming more difficult, with additional questions and a more demanding speaking section. These changes may create new barriers for lawful permanent residents working toward citizenship, particularly those who are still learning English.

IIA Citizenship Class Graduates Becoming U.S. Citizens! ^^

IIA’s education and legal services teams are preparing clients for these changes so they can continue their path toward naturalization with confidence.
Read the article here - U.S. citizenship test gets harder: More questions, tougher standards : NPR

Support IIA's Education Program Here

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Advocacy 

Temporary Protected Status holders from countries including Honduras, Haiti, and El Salvador continue to face uncertainty as federal deadlines approach. Ohio is home to more than 26,000 TPS holders who contribute significantly to the state’s workforce and economy. IIA continues to advocate for long-term protections and encourages community members to learn more about how they can support TPS holders.

Learn More and Advocate Here

Resources and Learning 

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we wanted to share some important and accessible resources about important histories that affect our communities today.

 
 
 
 

How You Can Support IIA 

Your contributions make a real difference in the lives of immigrants and refugees:

  • Donate: Every gift helps IIA keep its door open and staffed to support the growing needs of our immigrant community.

Donate Here

  • Fundraise for IIA: Organize a fundraiser with your workplace, faith group, or community.

Fundraise for IIA

  • Collect non-perishable food items and grocery gift cards: Help individuals losing SNAP benefits and facing food insecurity by donating non-perishable food items and grocery store gift cards. These will directly go to families in need.

Learn More Here

Thank You
To all of our supporters: your generosity and advocacy continue to make a meaningful difference. Because of you, immigrant families in Akron are finding safety, stability, and hope. We will always be grateful for our community.