IRIS Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service, Los Angeles

Our food pantry will restart tomorrow, Friday 11/6 from 9:30-10 am at 3621 Brunswick Ave. There will be fresh produce and food to pick up to-go. We are observing COVID protocols, so please wear a mask. It is open to the public, so spread the word!

On Oct. 27, refugee resettlement organizations will be back in court defending the program from the administration’s attacks. Join us at 10am PST for an "action-ar" (action-focused webinar) to hear from refugee leaders and see what you can do to keep ensuring #RefugeesWelcome in US! http://bit.ly/Oct27Refugees

Join us in celebrating our 2nd annual #UNDay and the United Nations' 75th anniversary! Hosted by actor Andrew Keegan and featuring our keynote speaker, Ndaba Ma...ndela, this year’s UN Day is an interactive virtual event highlighting the talent and innovation of immigrants and refugees. More info to come! October 24th, 2020! Register and save the date! bit.ly/unday2020 #losangeles #california #la #un #unitednations #immigrants #refugees #art #activism

We've got a new look! The inspiration our new logo comes from the beautiful tree in the IRIS courtyard which serves as a centerpiece of our community. Throughout the years, many newly arrived families have stood under this tree and been welcomed with open arms. The logo’s designer is a witness to many of these joyful occasions, as she was first a client of IRIS’ and then later a member of the IRIS team. She was inspired by her time at IRIS and created a logo to exemplify these moments of welcome that are so central to our work. The logo represents the stability and nourishment that are fundamental in our mission of welcoming and providing tangible tools and connections to help arrivals achieve self- sufficiency in the United States. And it embodies the feelings of unity, hope, and growth that we seek to provide each and every client.

Join us tomorrow for this wonderful event in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations! #UNDay2020

URGENT CALLS NEEDED: Stop the Administration from Setting Historic Low Refugee Admissions Goal The administration is planning to consult with Congress about the FY 2021 refugee admissions goal on Tuesday, October 20th. The administration has proposed a refugee admissions goal for FY 2021 of 15,000 a historic low. The administration also proposed allocations based on populations of specific concern, not geographic need or vulnerability, which means it is likely that fewer th...an 15,000 refugees will actually be able to be resettled this year. It is important to expand the categories of refugee allocations, so that the United States can resettle the most vulnerable refugees and actually meet the FY 2021 admissions goal. As we head into the 3rd week of this fiscal year, the President has STILL failed to sign a refugee admissions goal for FY 2021, grinding the resettlement program to an indefinite halt. For nearly four decades, the annual goal has averaged 95,000 refugees. Today, there are 29.6 million refugees worldwide but refugees are more than just a global figure; they are families torn apart, children who have witnessed profound violence and people seeking a chance to rebuild their lives and raise a family in safety. It is critical that Members of Congress hear that their constituents want the administration to meaningfully consult with Congress, the President to sign a refugee admissions goal of 95,000 (the historic average), and expand the categories of refugee allocations to include an Other category. Contact Your 2 Senators and 1 Representative Today Click Send Email or Call Me on the right https://greateras1.org/urgent-action-stop-the-administrati/

Recent policies have made it harder for aspiring citizens to naturalize, which means that as many as 300,000 would-be citizens will not be able to vote come November 3. To learn more check out a new report from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) and Boundless Immigration: https://bit.ly/3175Eqj

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s statement on Administration’s 2021 refugee admission ceiling: The Trump Administration’s report to Congress on the proposed ref...ugee admissions for 2021 calls for a ceiling of 15,000 refugee admissions. This is the lowest ceiling in our country’s history and an abdication of our humanitarian leadership around the world. There are currently more than 79.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, 26 million of whom are refugees. According to the UNHCR, 1.4 million people need international protection through resettlement because of persecution, war, and violence. See more

The Trump administration has failed to set a refugee admissions goal by the legal deadline of October 1st. Without this goal, the US is unable to welcome refugees. People who have been forced to flee their homes because of religious persecution, because they faced violence for their political beliefs or who they love, will remain in harm’s way. Historically, the US has been a world leader in refugee acceptance and has welcomed 95,000 refugees per year. Refugees are an integral part of our nation, so the US must commit to #Welcome95k in the coming year because #WeAreWelcomers.

We have only three weeks to drastically increase the Census response rate! In LA the response rate is stuck at about 60%. Listen in as Mayor Eric Garcetti lays out the City's commitment to making sure everyone counts!

The US Refugee Resettlement Program is a lifesaving, public-private partnership for refugees with no other means of finding safety. Refugees have a positive impact on our communities, and many are currently working on the frontline to protect and support us during this challenging time. They deserve our support in return. https://www.nytimes.com//pathologist-nursing-homes-coronav #ActionForRefugees #WeAreWelcomers #RefugeesWelcome