BACI Partners with IU McKinney Law School; assisting Refugees and Migrants with their Naturalization needs

BACI Served 1092 Refugees with Their Various Immigration Needs in FY2018 alone and, of those, 527 Individuals Successfully Completed Their Naturalization Applications (N-400)

INDIANAPOLIS, December 8, 2018— The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) has formed a partnership withIU McKinney School of Law in an effort to better meet the increasing needs of the immigrant and refugee population in Indianapolis, a city more than 20,000 Burmese now call their new home.

In a new externship program facilitated through the Professional Development and Pro Bono program at IU McKinney School of Law and the BACI Civic and Cultural Education Program, J.D. students provide naturalization assistance for refugees and immigrants who wish to become naturalized citizens under the supervision of the BACI Staff Attorney.

Jennifer Thuma

“It is so important to welcome the many immigrants who strengthen our communities through diversity, culture and language and we are pleased to partner with the Burmese American Community Institute,” said Jennifer Thuma, Associate Director of Professional Development and Pro Bono at IU McKinney.

A family of five at the Citizenship Oath Ceremony are seen together with BACI staff members: Ashley Renner, Asbisak Chin & Biak Sui

With a rapidly growing newcomer population in Central Indiana, the community has been challenged to meet the increasing demand for immigration and naturalization assistance in recent years. In FY2018 alone, the BACI assisted 1092 refugees with their various immigration needs and, of those, 527 individuals successfully completed their naturalization applications (N-400).

Emphasizing the power of collaboration and the importance of becoming integrated and contributing citizens of the society, BACI Executive Director Elaisa Vahnie said, “We are thankful for the great support that our partners, like IU McKinney Law, have been giving which positively impact our shared community on any scale. As much as we are grateful for the opportunity to start our new lives here, with a clear conviction, we have the moral obligation and duty to ensure that newcomers are becoming integrated as quickly as possible, and able to participate, engage, and contribute.

BACI Executive Director Mr. Elaisa Vahnie explains to the community about the issues surrounding the USCIS letter being sent to the refugees for identity interview on March 17, 2018.

“BACI prepares the community members to do just that, so that they can fully exercise their rights and liberties in this land of opportunity and freedom.”

Iang Neih Mawi, BACI intern who recently become a U.S. Citizen going through Voter’s Registration process.

Although the number of refugees served through BACI’s Civic and Cultural Education Program has doubled in the current fiscal year, the Program Manager Biak Sui noted a long waiting list and the need for more volunteers to teach English and Citizenship instruction or to assist with case management.

The BACI’s Civic and Cultural Education Program (CCEP) empowers new Americans with security in their rights and liberties by holding immigration information sessions in partnership with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), providing individualized assistance with various immigration needs, such as Green Card and Citizenship applications, implementing English and Citizenship instruction, and by encouraging the community members to be active and engaged citizens.

A group of adult learners who have successfully completed the English and Citizenship Instruction Program at BACI

Reflective of the need for a unique and multi-faceted approach, BACI also promotes a greater understanding among incoming and receiving communities, and advocates for cohesive, vibrant, and integrated communities at several levels by engaging with the comprehensive stakeholders and policymakers in partnership with educational institutions, businesses and service providers.

According to a recent survey conducted by BACI’s 2018 Summer Scholars, more than 173,000 Burmese refugees have been admitted to the United States since 2000 and Indiana hosts one of the largest Burmese communities in the United States with over 26,000 residing in the state.

BACI Summer 2018 researchers presenting the research main findings at the 7th Annual Research Presentation

About BACI
The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides educational and vocational support to the Burmese community in greater Indianapolis. The BACI also support community members regionally, nationally, and globally through new initiatives, collaborative and strategic partnerships, and advocacy. For additional information, visit www.thebaci.org or contact BACI at info@baci-indy.org or +317.731.5537.

Registered as 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, any donation to the Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) is tax deductible. At BACI, we maintain a high standard of accountability and transparency with the use of grants and gifts our donors entrust to us.

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