Tag: immigration
Korean organizations help immigrants attain citizenship
Volunteers help immigrants fill out the naturalization form. A coalition of Korean organizations helped dozens of people apply for naturalization at a free citizenship clinic at the Westminster School in Annandale June 18. More than 50 people, not all of them Koreans, had signed up in advance for the event hosted by the New Americans … Continued
Mothers of U.S. citizens push for expanded rights for immigrants
Dreamers Mothers in Action and other immigrant advocates at the Supreme Court. “I would no longer be scared of being separated from my family and I could get a better job,” says Lenka Mendoza of Dumfries, one of many local residents who took part in a demonstration on the steps of the Supreme Court April … Continued
Local student wins big
Radford University’s Student Management Investment Portfolio Organization. Giancarla Rojas is in the bottom row on the right. Falls Church High school graduate and “dreamer” Giancarla Rojas Mendoza is the member of a Radford University team that won first place in a national investment competition. Two years ago, Rojas, then 18, was struggling to afford college, … Continued
Just Neighbors relocating from Bailey’s Crossroads to Annandale
This former church building is part of the campus of Annandale United Methodist Church. Just Neighbors, a nonprofit organization that helps immigrants and refugees, is moving from its offices in Bailey’s Crossroads to the Immanuel Methodist Church building at 7901 Heritage Drive in Annandale. The organization is currently located in the Bailey’s International Center at … Continued
Possibility of ICE raids spreading fear among local immigrants
A briefing briefing denouncing ICE raids with, from the left: Manuel Castro, Arnoldo Borja, Juan Osorio, Edgar Aranda-Yanoc, and Dae Joong Yoon. The Obama Administration’s new policy to step up deportations of undocumented individuals is creating a climate of fear among the local immigrant population. The National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and … Continued
Sen. Marsden’s Report: The refugee crisis
By Sen. Dave Marsden While it does not fall within the realm of my responsibilities to deal with refugees from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, it is a matter of great concern to the people in the Virginia’s 37th Senate District. There has been a great amount of thoughtful concern as well as … Continued
March to White House focuses on immigration relief
Local immigrant rights groups led a march from Arlington Courthouse Plaza to the White House Nov. 20 to urge the federal government to support policies to allow eligible immigrants to stay and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The march commemorated the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s announcement to expand Deferred Action … Continued
Youth sports league reaches out to immigrants
The ABGC’s main office in Annandale. In recognition of the challenges faced by immigrants in the Annandale community, the Annandale Boys and Girls Club is offering discounts to immigrants when they register a child for any of ABGC’s sports programs. They will receive a 50 percent discount for any first-time player. If a parent, guardian, … Continued
Advocacy groups push for immigration reform
Left to right: Dong Yoon Kim, Emily Kessel, and Edgar Aranda-Yanoc at NAKASEC offices in Annandale. Despite disappointing election results – with the Republicans retaining control of both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates – advocates for the local immigrant community are stepping up their efforts to fight for immigrants’ access to health care … Continued
Just Neighbors offers a life line to local immigrants
A green card. Like many undocumented residents of the Annandale/Mason area, Alejandro didn’t see much of a future for himself after he graduated from Annandale High School. Just Neighbors, an immigrant advocacy organization based in Bailey’s Crossroads, helped him attain status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which allows certain people who came to … Continued
Immigration cases keep Annandale law firm busy
Emanuel Mpras Annandale attorney Emanuel Mpras has deep roots in Annandale, and now that his law practice is firmly established, he wants to get more involved in the community. So when he heard about the Taste of Annandale, he decided to sign up as a sponsor. Mpras Law Offices, at 7361 McWhorter Place in Annandale, … Continued
Culmore community comes together to remember slain immigrant
A candlelight vigil for Filaberto Filipe Paz Ramirez. About 200 people came to a candlelight vigil Sept. 5 to remember Filaberto Filipe Paz Ramirez, the young man murdered last week, and to promote peace and healing in the Culmore community. Paz, age 26, left behind a wife and child in Guatemala. He had only been … Continued
Lawsuit challenges tenant fees for AC in Culmore apartments
Olde Salem Village The website for the Olde Salem Village apartments in Bailey’s Crossroads describes them as “beautiful” with “well designed kitchens” and “close to the East Falls Church Metro.” In fact, Olde Salem Village is a bug-infested, poorly maintained apartment complex with outdated appliances in tiny kitchens. It’s located in the crime-ridden Culmore area … Continued
Virginia immigrant youths can now pay in-state tuition for higher education
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has determined that undocumented immigrants youths who meet certain requirements are considered as having “Virginia domicile,” which means they are eligible for in-state tuition at the state’s colleges and universities. Herring made the announcement April 29 at the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). The ruling applies to … Continued
State lawmakers update Annandale residents on actions in Richmond
Virginia General Assembly For the Democratic legislators that represent the Annandale/Mason area in the Virginia General Assembly, it’s been nearly impossible to get anything passed by the Republican-controlled House of Delegates. Nevertheless, Del. Kaye Kory, Sen. Dave Marsden, and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw have been able to make some limited progress, they told constituents … Continued