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Immigration Story July 2024

Biden order streamlining path to citizenship for spouses could affect 40,000 Minnesotans The order allows undocumented spouses and children to stay in the U.S. while pursuing a green card, removing a major source of stress for many mixed-status families. by Hibah Ansari Immigration advocates say a plan announced by the Biden administration this week could streamline the path to citizenship for thousands of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens in Minnesota. The plan allows undocumented immigrants the ability to “parole in place,” if they have lived in the U.S. for 10 or more years and are legally married to a U.S. citizen, meaning they can pursue legal status without leaving the country. When Stephanie Kilpatrick Salazar, a leader for Latino advocacy organization Unidos, first read about the plan she was so shocked she thought it was spam. Kilpatrick Salazar’s husband from Mexico is currently trying to pursue status through marriage since she is a citizen. Their four children, ages 17, 13, 12, and 2, are also U.S. citizens. “If everything goes as planned,” Kilpatrick Salazar said, “this could streamline that process for us and allow my husband to stay without having to go back to Mexico for his exit interview. It’ll be way…

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Refugee resettlement debate dec 2019

THE DEBATE ON REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN COUNTIES ACROSS MN Counties across Minnesota are scrambling to decide on whether to welcome refugees after President Donald Trump issued an executive order that requires local approval of any resettlement in their communities. The measure is sparking tense discussion, confusion and some frustration among many local officials who find themselves thrust into a national issue — and needing to make a decision by the end of January. “This is a position, from my perspective, that local governments should never be placed in,” Kandiyohi County Board Member Harlan Madsen said. Commissioners in that western Minnesota county voted 3-2 on Tuesday to accept refugees after heated debate. Madsen said he felt he could not vote “no” because it would send a negative message and would not represent the commitment of county citizens to accepting and embracing the changes taking place. Willmar, the largest city in Kandiyohi County, has close to 3,100 foreign-born citizens out of an overall population of 19,673; it’s in a congressional district that backed Trump by more than 30 percentage points. Trump issued the executive order in September. Supporters cheered when he mentioned the policy requiring written consent at an October rally in…

Community

Mental Health issues in the Somali community

he challenges facing Somali immigrants and refugees in the Twin Cities are complex and their needs are great. Besides facing enormous cultural and language differences, African immigrants and refugees contend with racism, often have limited literacy skills, and hold jobs where they barely earn minimum wage and have difficulty providing for their families. Clinical studies show that rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among immigrant and refugee populations range from 39 percent and 100 percent (compared with 1 percent in the general population) while rates of depression range between 47 and 72 percent.1 The impact of war trauma, social isolation and change in social status make acculturation difficult. These have a significant impact on psychosocial adjustment. In order to best respond to the needs of Somali clients, it is important to understand their unique experiences and circumstances. Impact of War Trauma The U.S. Surgeon General’s report Mental Health: Culture, Race, Ethnicity – Supplement highlighted the overwhelming burden of mental illness that racial and ethnic minorities face compared to their white counterparts.2 Immigrants and refugees often have encountered additional stressful events that contribute to mental illness or adjustment problems. Immigrants and refugees experience multiple losses including loss of homeland loss of loved ones. Immigrants, and…

Community, Front

DISABILITY ADVOCATE SUES MINNEAPOLIS, E-SCOOTER COMPANIES ALLEGING ADA VIOLATIONS

Noah J. McCourt, a disability advocate with Autism and developmental coordination disorder used to enjoy taking strolls around the Twin Cities. No longer. Now he fears for his safety because every day he is dodging scooters travelling at high speeds down the sidewalk. Several times scooters strewn across his path also have caused him to nearly trip. In recent months, dock-less scooters have become more common throughout Minneapolis neighborhoods. They are ubiquitous. This proliferation has occurred in an unregulated and haphazard fashion. For many scooters may be a nuisance. For others they may be a convenience. However, for people with disabilities the presence and use of these scooters deny them access to public walkways and pose a serious risk to their safety. McCourt repeatedly reached out to the City of Minneapolis, particularly Philippe Cunningham who chairs the City’s committee on civil rights and he received no response. In frustration, McCourt filed a lawsuit in United States District Court alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the state anti-discrimination laws. The suit challenges the failure of the City of Minneapolis and private scooter companies to maintain accessibility of the city’s public sidewalks, curb ramps and cross walkways for people…

Community, Front

MINNESOTA CARE PRESS RELEASE

DHS to issue refunds to some former MinnesotaCare members Former members should stop automatic payments, update online payment set-up Former MinnesotaCare members should watch their mailboxes in coming weeks for a possible refund from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. DHS will begin sending letters and making calls to those affected this week. DHS discovered that some former MinnesotaCare members continued to automatically pay their premiums online after their cases had been closed and that refunds were not issued. A workaround has been put into place to catch new cases impacted and immediately fix errors. The department will issue $1.8 million in refunds to approximately 24,800 individuals, with the majority of refunds totaling $250 or less. These refunds result from premium payments made by former MinnesotaCare members and never involved state budget dollars. “People who receive insurance through the state expect to trust the system and I know a small unexpected expense can have a big impact on Minnesota families,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “As commissioner, I am committed to being transparent and making things right when we fall short of these expectations.” The state is advising those who paid their premiums online to review their online payment…

Community, Front

New heights for Somalis in Minnesota

By the start of the new year, 2019, there were a number of new governors taking the reins of power across the United States. Governor of Minnesota, Tim Waltz, was one of those governors who took the oath of office on January 7th 2019. Traditionally, most governors-elect have about 8 to 10 weeks between Election Day and Inauguration Day to get a lot of preparatory work done. Governor Tim Waltz ran on inclusiveness and promised to have a cabinet that reflects the diversity and demographics of Minnesota. The first step to achieving that was the selection of his transitional advisory board of 30 individuals, who were compromised of CEOs, business owners, religious leaders and community members of many different ethnic backgrounds. Two of his transitional advisory board members were Somali Americans, Abdirahman Kahin, and Jaylani Hussein. Abdirahman Kahin is restaurateur and owner of Afro Deli. He is also an activist and philanthropist who is well known among the Somali community of Minnesota. Jaylani Hussein is the Director of Minnesota Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN). Jaylani Hussein worked as the Community Liaison Officer at Metro State University and as a Planner for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture prior to…

Community, Front

Attend the Pizza With Police Event on May 15

The second-annual “Pizza With Police” event will be held 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 at Rosland Park, 4300 W. 66th St., Edina. This event is held in partnership with the Bloomington Police Department and is sponsored by Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza, Jerry’s Foods and Cub Foods. Pizza With Police gives community members an opportunity to meet members of local law enforcement. Attendees can purchase a slice of pizza and a beverage for $5. Law enforcement and their families will receive a complimentary slice of pizza and beverage. Balloon artists, face painters, and yard games will also be available. Attendees will also be able to meet the Edina SWAT Team, Motorcycle Unit, Bloomington Bomb Squad, and a K-9 officer. “It’s an honor to be able to work with Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza on this Pizza with Police event. We’re excited to be able to interact with area residents over a slice of pizza. We want to make this a great community event,” said Edina Lt. Dan Conboy. “All the proceeds from this event benefit Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (MN LEMA), which helps families of those who have fallen in the line of duty. That makes this a very…

Community, Main

Top 10 List of Immigration Considerations for 2019

1. Become a U.S. citizen If you have had your green card for at least 5 years (3 if you are married to a U.S. citizen), you should seriously consider becoming a U.S. citizen. Only citizens can vote for President, and citizens can almost never be deported. And in some situations, we can help you become a citizen without taking the citizenship test! 2. Apply for a Green Card If you are married to a U.S. citizen, or you were previously married to an abusive citizen-spouse, you may be eligible to receive permanent residence – green card. Or if you have held asylum or refugee status for at least one year, you may be able to get a green card. 3. Renew your Green Card Don’t wait until you need to travel outside of the United States, or renew your driver’s license, and learn that your green card is expired! Green Card renewals can take a year or more, so, do it now. 4. U-Visa In some circumstances, regardless of your immigration status, if you were a victim of a certain crime, we can file for your U visa and eventual permanent residence. If this applies to you, call our…

Community, Health

Adult Vaccination

Dadka waaweyn oo leh xaaladaha caafimaadka ee muddada dheer waxay u baahanyihiin tallaalo si ay u sugaan caafimaadkooda Sannad kasta,kumanaan qof oo qaangaar ah oo ku nool maraykanka ayaa la kulma cuduro halis ah oo lagaga hortagi karo tallaal. Cuduradani waxay noqon karaan kuwo halis ah oo waxay noqonaysaa intaad tagto cusbilaal ama aad ka maqnaato shaqada waqti dheer. Dad badan oo qaan gaar ah ayaan ogeyn inay si sahlan khatar ugugu jiraan cudurada sida hargabkaka(flu) iyo oofta (pneumococcal), kuwaas oo tallaal lagaga hortagi karo . Xaalado caafimaad ee muddo dheer socota sida sonkorowga ama asmada dadka waaweyn ayaa halis weyn ugu jira dhibaatooyinka haddii ay xanuunsadaan. Cudurada qaarkood waa kuwo aad u badan ama ka khatar badan marka dadka qaangaarka ah ay sii weynaadaan, sida shingles. Dadka waaweyn qaarkood ma heli karaan tallaalo gaar ah sababtoo ah ma aysan heli karin markii ay carruur ahaayeen iyaga oo halis ugu jira cudurka. Waa muhiim inaad kala hadasho dhakhtarkaaga ama farmashiistaha wax ku saabsan tallaalada aad u baahan tahay si aad u caafimaad qabto. Waydii tallaaladan booqashada soo socota: Hargabka: Qof kasta oo da’diisu tahay 6 bilood iyo ka weyn waa in la tallaalaa sannad kasta. Waxaa si gaar ah muhiim…

Community, Main

Snow Thrower Safety Guidelines by Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) encourages home and business owners to ready their snow throwers and other winter equipment for when the winter storms arrive. Clearing driveways, sidewalks and parking lots is no small job and you rely on your outdoor power equipment to make these big jobs easy, but it’s also important to keep safety in mind when using snow throwers, often referred to as snow blowers. “Get your snow thrower serviced now, before repair shops are busy. Weather is more unpredictable than ever, so you want to be ready before the first flakes fall,” says OPEI President and CEO Kris Kiser. “Review your owner’s manual now so you can use your equipment safely, and have the right fuel on hand. Remember, protect your power. Gasoline-powered snow throwers should use E10 or less.” OPEI offers the following questions to get ready for old man winter: GETTING READY Have you read your owner’s manual? Read up for safe handling procedures. (See additional tips below.) If you lost your manual, you can look it up online (and store a copy on your computer so you have the manual available to reference in the future). Review how to operate the controls….

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