City of Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs

Earlier this week we celebrated the launch of Immigrant Heritage Month at a press conference with Mayor Jim Kenney, and leadership from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and WXPN. As part of the 2021 Immigrant Heritage Month program, Mayor Kenney and the Office of Immigrant Affairs honored Armando Ezquerra Hasbun, the official Spanish language interpreter for the City of Philadelphia. Ezquerra Hasbun, a trained linguistics professional since 1999, has been providing simultaneo...us Spanish interpretation during the City’s COVID-19 press briefings since March 2020. The event featured cultural performances by Palante, a Latino dance company, and URIOL(), a traditional Korean percussion ensemble. Learn more about Immigrant Heritage Month programming here: https://bit.ly/2TIDu4t

"After an especially difficult period marked by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the all-too-frequent demonization of immigrants, it is vital that our Nation reflect on the leadership, resilience, and courage shown by generations of immigrant communities, and recommit ourselves to our values as a welcoming Nation. We recognize all of the workers, many of whom are immigrants, who have contributed to the food security, health, and safety of all Americans during this challenging ...year and every year. And we honor the sacrifices made by immigrants who serve on the front lines of the pandemic as health care providers, first responders, teachers, grocers, farm workers, and other essential workers. It was these same immigrant families and communities of color who were disproportionately struck by the virus. In honor of those we’ve lost, let us dedicate ourselves as a Nation to protecting one another and doing our part to put an end to this pandemic for good." - President Biden. Learn about Immigrant Heritage Month programming in Philadelphia here: https://bit.ly/2TIDu4t

This month, Philly is celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month! There are over 30 events happening online and safely in person, allowing immigrants to tell their stories, their way. Check out the full calendar of events https://bit.ly/341lMe9 #CelebrateImmigrants

June is Immigrant Heritage Month! Share your immigrant story of resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic or tell us why you support Philly immigrants, using #IAmAnImmigrant. Learn more https://bit.ly/341lMe9

Do you want to use your community engagement skills to connect residents to life-sustaining benefits and resources? Apply to be @PHLServes’ Community Resource Corps Program Manager! Applications are due by Sunday, June 6 at 5 pm: https://smrtr.io/5HSCB

The Office of Immigrant Affairs recently published a resource blog related to COVID-19 for immigrant communities. The blog lists information about resources in different languages, city-wide updates, and general services. Learn more about how to access services near you. https://www.phila.gov/2020-04-27-covid-19-resources-for-im/

COVID-19 has impacted everyone, including immigrant communities. As we work to recover, the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians is bringing together immigrants from diverse backgrounds for a Community Conversation to talk about recovery challenges faced by immigrant communities, possible solutions, and how immigrants themselves can set their skills in motion. If you are an immigrant living in #Philadelphia and you want to contribute YOUR knowledge, skills, and experience and drive solutions that will make a real impact in immigrant communities, please register for the Welcoming Center's Community Conversation on Thursday, October 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register here: https://bit.ly/3dMuaSL

What is the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) law? Passed Dec. 2019, this law can help Liberian nationals and their families become legal permanent residents. Click the following link for more information about LRIF: https://cliniclegal.org//liberian-refugee-immigration-fair The deadline to apply for this status with USCIS is Dec. 20, 2020. Contact HIAS Pennsylvania for more legal assistance.

If you're heading to an Asian grocery store this weekend, you might run into young leaders from VietLead. They're there to GOTV and here's why they think it's important. Congrats VietLead on your stellar civic engagement!

Our office is proud to be part of @Cities4Action #CitiesforDACA campaign! Despite attacks on their immigration status, DACA recipients have paid $4 billion annually in federal, state, and local taxes. At least 200,000 are also working as frontline workers during the pandemic. Philly knows that we're better because of DACA recipients. Help us lift up the stories of how DACA recipients strengthen our communities.

Grant alert! The Philadelphia Digital Literacy Alliance is accepting applications for their Fall 2020 cycle. Grants will be to organizations serving immigrants or people with limited English proficiency. If your organization has creative ideas that connect digital literacy and equity with the needs of immigrants and LEP communities, apply today! Deadline is November 6th. http://www.mayorsfundphila.org/i/digital-literacy-alliance/

We're less than 2 weeks out from the Nov. 3rd election! As part of the National Partnership for New Americans #newamericanvoters2020 campaign, we asked Josephys Dafils of Haitian American Voice why voting is important for immigrant communities. Here's his response: "As a Haitian-American, I know that voting is important. Many people died so I can vote now. I remember that I could not vote because I was not a U.S. citizen at that time. I helped with many campaigns but I could not vote. I had to wait until I was in the U.S. for 5 years to become a U.S. citizen. I felt like a second class human being. I did not matter in the electoral process. I am a super voter now and I vote in all elections." Inspired and ready to vote? Check out our multilingual voting resource for everything you need to know phila.gov/vote-by-mail.

Did you know? There are an unknown number of adoptees living without citizenship in the U.S. At least 50 have been deported to countries where they have little ties. These countries include Brazil, Costa Rica, China, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Panama, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Last week, Mayor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, City of Philadelphia agreed to support Adoptees For Justice and NAKASEC on their fight for the Adoptee Citizenship Act. Learn more (including how to help)!

Deadline alert! Today is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming election. If you haven't already, register with the Pennsylvania Department of State or stop by a satellite election site, your one-stop-shop to register, apply for a mail-in ballot, and VOTE! Voter registration https://www.votespa.com//Pages/How-to-Register-to-Vote.aspx Satellite election offices https://www.phila.gov/2020-09-29-visit-a-satellite-electio/

The digital divide is no joke and no child should be without free internet access this school year. Call 2-1-1- for more info on #PHLConnectED, Philly's free internet plan for students of eligible K-12 households. Be sure to ask for language assistance if you need it.

The City of Philadelphia Office of Domestic Violence Strategies wants you to know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. #DVAM2020 is an opportunity to raise awareness about domestic violence and its warning signs. You deserve to be safe in your own home and if you're afraid of leaving because of your immigration status, you, too, can get help. Caring counselors and interpretation services are availalble 24/7 at 1-866-723-3014 or visit https://www.phila.gov//office-of-domestic-violence-strate/

Last month, our office hosted "The Color of Us: A Virtual Family Festival" as part of #WelcomingWeekPHL. If you missed the event, here's a video recapping the performances. Thanks again for celebrating Welcoming Week with us and Welcoming America. We'll see you next year!

Do you want to make voting more accessible? If you speak another language, the Philadelphia City Commissioners needs YOU. Sign up to be a bilingual interpreter at different voting sites this election. Earn $200 for your day of service. https://interpreter.philadelphiavotes.com/

Call to action Unfortunately, the Supreme Court ruled to end the #2020Census count early. The official count ends Oct. 16 at 5:59 am. If you haven't already, go to 2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020 now to make sure you're counted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the economy and small business owners are among the hardest hit. Still, along Woodland Avenue, African immigrant business owners say they "stand very strong." See how they leveraged "susu" to help them through the hard time, and thank you Acana for supporting their efforts .