WJCI Gathers to Discuss Ukrainian Refugee Resettlement and Elsewhere

Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration (WCJI) is hosting a Virtual Community Town Hall about the state of refugee resettlement. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 4 at 6 pm and will feature experts from HIAS, International Refugee Committee (IRC), and IRIS - Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services. Participants will find out how they can stand up for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and all immigrants and how they can help.

Over the past few months, WJCI has awarded eight microgrants to support efforts to resettle Afghan refugees throughout Westchester and Rockland counties, the Hudson Valley, and the northwest Bronx. Funded by the UJA-Federation of New York and The Shapiro Foundation, WJCI created a matching microgrants program, which will support the immediate needs of refugees as they restart their lives in the United States.

Guided by the Jewish teaching to "welcome the stranger," WJCI works with resettlement agencies HIAS and Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) that train host group volunteers and provide case management for refugee families, the majority of whom lived on U.S. military bases after fleeing Kabul. WJCI remains committed to resettling Afghan individuals and families and knows that the community has many questions.

WJCI is also closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and neighboring countries and responding with emergency humanitarian assistance to displaced people. Uniting for Ukraine, first announced on April 21, allows individuals in the U.S. to sponsor people fleeing the war in Ukraine to join them in the U.S. for up to two years. While the announcement also referenced accepting some Ukrainians through existing U.S. refugee programs — which includes expediting members of religious minorities arriving through the Lautenberg Program — there are many questions about this. Many Ukrainians are entering the country through the Southern Border. There are concerns about what is transpiring down there, too, with the potential end of Title 42.

At this Town Hall, WJCI will bring three experts to address concerns, including Ann O'Brien from IRIS, Rebecca Kirzner from HIAS, and Brenda Valdes-Robles from IRC. In addition, community members will find out how they can step up to help today.

In the past month, WJCI has been involved in helping to coordinate the resettlement of two Ukrainian families who fled a war zone through partnership and community. All are invited to attend this meaningful conversation by registering for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meetin...

After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Please direct questions to info@wjci.org.