Tag: immigrants
The Trust Policy benefits immigrants
Immigrants shouldn’t be afraid to call the police if they’re a victim or a witness to a crime, says Karol Escalante, director of immigrant community affairs for the Fairfax County government. That’s because of the Trust Policy approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2021, which affirms the county’s agreement not to report people to … Continued
New historic marker honors Vietnamese immigrants
A new historic marker unveiled May 24 on Wilson Boulevard in front of the Eden Center honors Vietnamese immigrants as an important part of Northern Virginia history. The marker was approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 2021. Nomination for the historic marker was made by two students – eighth-grader Oliver Hardi and … Continued
Lincolnia church opens its doors to Afghani refugees
Rev. Sarah Scherschligt of Peace Lutheran Church officially opens a refugee resettlement center at the church. Peace Lutheran Church is extending its welcome to Afghani refugees through the opening of a new refugee resettlement center in its building operated by the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). Many of the refugees evacuated from Afghanistan after … Continued
Annandale HS and Parklawn Elementary School welcome newly arrived Afghan refugees
Annandale High School Assistant Principal Sarah Eqab, English for Speakers of Other Languages Department Chair Meredith Hedrick, and AHS students from Afghanistan with backpacks and school supplies they’re donating to newly arrived Afghan refugee students. The following article is a lightly edited version of a piece written by the news department at Fairfax County Public … Continued
Afghan refugees face big challenges; volunteers help them adjust to life in the U.S.
Volunteers help children with art projects at the Homework Club. Newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan often have to build a new life starting from scratch. “We left everything behind,” says N, who fled Kabul with his family last month as the Taliban took over the country. [We’re using initials rather than names to protect refugees’ … Continued
Local churches stepping up aid for Afghan refugees
Volunteers work with children in the Homework Club. Church members who’ve been aiding refugees from Afghanistan for years are stepping up their support as many more Afghanis fleeing the Taliban are expected to settle in Northern Virginia. A group of churches that are members of the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) formed a Homework … Continued
Here’s how to help Afghan refugees
Afghan refugees arrive at Dulles International Airport. [Washington Post] As hundreds of refugees from Afghanistan pour into Dulles Airport, local aid organizations are providing basic supplies and accepting donations from the public. Those able to catch a U.S. military flight as the Taliban took over their country left with little more than the clothes on … Continued
Community members donate supplies for Afghan refugees
Local residents bring donations for Afghan refugees at NOVA. Community members came out in force Aug. 21 to help Afghan refugees sheltered at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale. The refugees were among the few able to catch a flight out of Kabul as the Taliban took over the country.
Historic marker to commemorate Vietnamese immigrants
A new historic highway marker will commemorate Vietnamese immigrants in Northern Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced. It is one of five historical markers highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander history in Virginia. The suggestions for the new markers were submitted by students in a contest for AAPI Heritage Month.
Advocates urge Fairfax County to address racial disparities in policing
A use of force incident in Fairfax County in June captured on a police body camera. The officer was arrested for assault. [WJLA] The Fairfax County Police Department needs to do a better job of eliminating racial disparities in the use of force and improve relationships with immigrant communities. Those were among the key issues … Continued
New Virginia laws affect firearms, immigrants, workers, marijuana, much more
The Virginia General Assembly in Richmond. The following new laws, signed by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, took effect July 1 unless otherwise noted. Firearms – Criminal background checks are required for all gun sales and transfers. Anyone who is not a licensed firearms dealer cannot purchase more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Under … Continued
Food donations help residents of Annandale apartments
About 200 residents of Fairmont Gardens in Annandale collected donated food Thursday afternoon at a weekly event in the parking lot hosted by the Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC). World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by Chef José Andrés, and the SevaTruck Foundation contributed packaged meals – chicken, rice, and vegetables – and there were … Continued
Coronavirus pandemic causes more hardships for immigrant communities
Immigrants collect donated food at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale before the social distancing rules took effect. [LAJC] While the coronavirus pandemic is hitting everyone pretty hard, it is causing especially challenging hardships for the local immigrant community. Immigrants living in the Culmore area of Bailey’s Crossroads “are concerned about the future. They are not working. … Continued
Virginia General Assembly poised to enact bills on guns, immigrants, taxes and much more
The Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. The Virginia General Assembly is considering legislation on guns, voting, criminal justice, immigrants, and other major issues. After “crossover day,” on Feb. 11, all the bills passed by the House of Delegates are sent to the Senate and vice versa. The two chambers then delve deeper into the details … Continued
General Assembly considers drivers’ licenses for undocumented residents
From the left: Lenka Mendoza-Larco; Jonathan Cano of the Centreville Immigration Forum; Emma Violand-Sanchez, founder of the Dream Project; Dream beneficiary Danna Chavez-Calvi; Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg; and Andres Tobar, executive director of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center. Now that Democrats control the Virginia General Assembly, advocates for immigrants’ right are hopeful that a law will … Continued