On November 8th, 2020, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma shared her reactions on the election of Vice President Kamala Harris on NBC News. Seeing a daughter of immigrants parents embracing her biracial roots on her way to becoming the first…
SAAPRI advocacy mentioned in the Chicago Council for Global Affairs Report
In September of 2020, SAAPRI’s work was mentioned in Chicago Council for Global Affairs Report titled “A global welcome: Metro Chicago’s approach to immigrant inclusion.” In Chapter 3 titled “The ‘Most Immigrant Friendly City,’” under “Chicago’s Institutional Partners for Immigrant…
Statement on passing of NO BAN Act
HOUSE PASSES NO BAN ACT: A STEP FORWARD FOR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES On July 22nd, 2020, Congress passed the No Ban Act in a step forward for Muslim and immigrant communities. The No Ban Act would repeal the travel ban –…
2020 Statement on Trump Administration’s Immigration Policy
SAAPRI is committed to supporting immigrants in the United States, who like many of ourselves, our parents, and our neighbors, have helped build the fabric of this country. In recent days, the Trump administration has issued a series of directives…
Statement on Black Lives Matter movement
In the midst of a pandemic that is altering the course of human history, the tragic killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody on May 25th, 2020 has outraged and brought our communities together like never before. The past…
SAAPRI welcomes new Executive Director, Shobhana Johri Verma
SAAPRI would like to thank Dhara Puvar for her years of service as Executive Director of SAAPRI. We are grateful for her years of service and appreciate all the work she has done as the Executive Director of SAAPRI. We would also like to…
Report – Defying Dependence: Impacts of H-4 Authorization Policy on Immigrant Women, Families, and Communities
On February 20th, 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a proposal to remove “H-4 dependent spouses from the class of aliens eligible for employment authorization,” which has been under review for months with an uncertain decision date. Rescinding…
2019 Illinois Municipal Elections
On April 2nd, 2019, there were hundreds of municipal elections taking place across Illinois with elections for mayor, city councils, treasurers, clerks, village boards of trustees, and more. Here is everything you need to know about SAAPRI’s civic engagement work: Phone Banking…
Statement on Terror Attack at New Zealand Mosques & Chicago Peace Vigil
On March 15th, 2019, many of us woke up to news of a horrific attack on Muslim worshippers at the Linwood Mosque & Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. This act of terror resulted in the murder of at least 49 people and 20…
SAAPRI’s Co-Founder and Board Chair Ann Kalayil discusses Trump’s plans in News India Times
On February 5th, 2019, President Trump delivered his State of the Union address to the U.S. Congress, to which SAAPRI’s Co-Founder and Board Chair Ann Kalayil responded in the News India Times. The whole crux of the speech and action…