IRIS has named Hilda Sarkisians as Director of Operations effective April 1. Sarkisians brings longstanding experience to IRIS’s principal leadership role, succeeding Elder, a veteran immigration attorney who has led the agency since September 2022. Sarkisians’ new position consolidates executive functions, and the staffing changes occur amid reduced federal funding for immigration services.
Read MoreThe screening of "Mariupol: Survivors" did not leave a dry eye in the sanctuary at IRIS. The documentary exposes the brutal reality of war: between 87,000 and 138,000 civilians are estimated to have been killed in Mariupol. The documentary tells the true stories of Olga, Olena, and Mariia, three survivors whose lives were forever changed by the war. Their accounts paint a harrowing picture of loss, resilience, and survival.
Read MoreIRIS is once again offering basic immigration legal services in all 13 of our service languages! Donations to the IRIS Emergency Fund have allowed us to restore assistance with work permits, family visas, green cards, and asylum applications, all of which had been suspended. This is a critical step toward ensuring that our clients—newcomers seeking safety and stability—receive the support they need.
Read More"Mariupol: Survivors" is a compelling documentary feature that marks the directorial debut of artist Mariia Mykhno. This poignant film captures the essence of an unsettling refrain, where three resilient women at its core recount the horrors of war as though they still bear witness to its haunting presence.
Read MoreOn January 20th, IRIS’s funding was frozen. The IRIS Emergency Fund has been established to keep our doors open so that we can continue to serve refugees and immigrants with case management and legal services.
Read MoreAs the dust settles from one of the most contentious elections in recent memory, at IRIS we find ourselves at a place of uncertainty. For those of us working to support immigrants and build an inclusive, equitable future, the election has reinforced a harsh truth: the fight for justice is far from over.
Read More“Even though I couldn’t compensate IRIS for their work, there’s a god that compensates people who help others in this way.”
Read MoreAt IRIS we are grateful for Immigrants. Soup Joumou is the Haitian soup of freedom. This recipe comes from the Haitian Recipes book created by the moms and business owners of WORK, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to accompany families in Haiti out of poverty through good, dignified jobs. If you're looking for a pumpkin soup recipe, we recommend you give it a try.
Read MoreFood, crafts, and community (and more!). Join the Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service(IRIS) team on June 20th as we celebrate World Refugee Day with a summer open house!
Read MoreEpiscopal Migration Ministries(EMM), highlights IRIS’s work to reunite Central American families through the CAM program.
Read MoreCelebrate World Art Day with IRIS and artist Katharine Gould on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 5pm to 8pm at St. Paul’s Commons with a reception including hearty hors d’oeuvres, hosted bar sponsored by Sanctus Aquam Tequila, live music, storytelling, and art exhibit showcasing Ms. Gould’s powerful series “Exodus.”
Read MoreTroy Elder – an attorney whose experience in migration law spans nearly 25 years – has been named executive director of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS), an agency of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, by Bishop John Harvey Taylor effective Sept. 1.
Read MoreThe inspiration for new IRIS logo comes from the beautiful tree in the IRIS courtyard which serves as a centerpiece of our community. Throughout the years, many newly arrived families have stood under this tree and been welcomed with open arms. The logo’s designer is a witness to many of these joyful occasions, as she was first a client of IRIS’ and then later a member of the IRIS team.
Read MoreWhen Kamaria was just 20 years old, she fled war, poverty, and squalid camps in her homeland of Somalia. With the help of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service (IRIS) – Kamaria, her husband, and her two small children found their way to Los Angeles.
Read MoreIn the month of October, join Episcopal Migration Ministries, in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and Lutheran Family Services of the Rocky Mountains (LFSRM), will present "Walking with Asylum Seekers," a three-part training series for congregations interested in supporting asylees.
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