Immigrants are bearing the brunt of COVID-19. The data being collected by New York, however, fails to capture this and limits our ability to fully understand who is disproportionately impacted by this public health crisis so that we can better respond in the future.
Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
Ramadan is traditionally a time when the Muslim community partakes in uplifting communal activities, including group prayer and feasts. This year, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic means making difficult changes to Ramadan to adapt to social distancing directives.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is upending the 2020 Census, disrupting an already fragile operation that faced immense challenges in counting marginalized populations. The Guardian recently intervewied AAFSC about how COVID-19 has changed our 2020 Census outreach plans.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
For decades, the U.S. government has categorized people with roots in the Middle East or North Africa as white on the decennial census. AAFSC joined NPR for a conversation about this gap in the question about race and what being left out yet again in 2020 Census means to those communities.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
The 2020 Census is coming up and AAFSC is working hard to ensure every New Yorker is counted! Feeling unprepared? Read our informative FAQs post to learn more about what the Census is, why it is important, how to fill it out, and what languages it will be available in.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
AAFSC considers every day an opportunity to celebrate racial and cultural diversity but we are taking dedicated time this February to reflect on the crucial role that the Black community has played in shaping our history and how we can all collectively serve as better allies and advocates.
Racial Equity & Inclusion
On January 31, 2020, the Trump Administration aimed a new attack at immigrant communities by signing a presidential proclamation expanding the Muslim Ban to six additional countries: Burma, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania.
Legal Services
On January 27, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favor of allowing new changes to “public charge” that seek to target immigrants, which had been halted in October 2019, to now be implemented at the discretion of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Community Health & Well-Being, Legal Services
To kick off 2020, AAFSC was proud to host a Citizenship Celebration to recognize AAFSC students who became citizens in 2019, as well as honor the legacy of Sharrif Wilson through a Day of Service.
Adult Readiness
For immigrants and refugees across New York and beyond, 2019 was an alarming and tumultuous year. In the face of rising xenophobia, racism, and hate, AAFSC doubled down and strengthened our commitment to our mission.
