NEIPJC’s longest standing work has been with the local immigrants of Northeast Iowa. Our Immigration Working Group was formed in 2011 in response to several Guatemalan families returning to Postville, IA under the U-Visa Program.
In the early days, support was given through furniture, clothing, and financial assistance. Today, we assist asylum seekers and the immigrant community in some of the following ways:
- Visiting immigrant families to give them friendship and orientation to the community
- Managing a microloan program and financial assistance for legal aid
- Interpreting in a variety of situations
- Tutoring recently arrived adults in English
- Coordinating rides to necessary appointments out of town
- Helping to provide used furniture, household items, and clothing for newly arrived families
- Alerting members and others to legislative issues relating to immigration
- Holding bi-weekly meetings to serve as a clearinghouse for other immigrant committees: JFON, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Decorah Area Faith Coalition, AMMPARO, Path to Citizenship, Catholic Charities Legal Services
Interested in joining our Immigration Working Group?
We’d love to have you. Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 4pm-5pm, right here at NEIPJC.