Happy Friday! From a pause in Governor Abbott’s migrant busing scheme to Haitain refugees revitalizing Springfield, Ohio, these are the top stories impacting the well-being of immigrants this week. —Marko Sanchez
TOP STORY OF THE WEEK
With the decline in border crossing, Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s scheme to bus migrants to sanctuary cities has slowed down. Cities targeted in previous years, including Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., have not seen any buses in 2024.
TX Governor Migrant Bussing Comes to a Halt
NATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK
Haitian Refugees Change the Course of Springfield, Ohio
The influx of Haitian refugees has given a second life to Springfield, Ohio—a former auto industry hub—sparking hope for long-term economic growth and population revitalization.
Immigrant Workers Take to the Picket Line in Nebraska
Union leaders fear that the hiring freeze at the Nebraska Service Center is a precursor to layoffs. The program could lead to 400 workers losing their jobs.
Chicago DNC Immigrant Surge Not Expected
The expectation that migrants would arrive by the busload during the week of the DNC is no longer likely. City organizations are still prepared to shelter an influx if it does occur.
INTERNATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK
Non-Profit Attempts to Save Migrant Lives
As migrants attempt to cross the border through the Arizona desert, heat exhaustion and dehydration continue to claim lives. Volunteers are setting up hydration stations along paths of the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent deaths.
IUNHCR To Monitor Italy-Albania Migrant Accord
The agreement to establish two migrant processing centers in Albania for entry into Italy will be monitored by the UNHCR to ensure that human rights standards are upheld.
US to Fund Repatriation Flights from Panama
The U.S. announced that it will begin repatriation flights for migrants detained at the Darien Gap. The new effort aims to curb immigration before it reaches the U.S.-Mexico border.
HEART-WARMERS OF THE WEEK
Haitian Food Truck Employees Migrants
NJ Law Protects Migrant Whistleblowers in Labor Disputes
Immigration Services Company Makes 2024 List of Fastest Growing Companies
Thank you for reading the IWB Stories of the Week series! Stay tuned for next week’s edition.
Marko Sanchez serves as the Communications Intern at the Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative. They assist in creating public-facing communications and content such as social media posts, website blogs, and press releases.