This month at Opening Doors: Biden Administration Extends Protected Status for Ukrainians + Free Immigration Legal Services Intake Day Held + Opening Doors Joins the 2023 Fast Pitch Showcase Finalists

Biden Administration Extends Protected Status for Ukrainians

The Biden administration has announced the extension and re-designation of Ukraine for

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from October 20, 2023, through

April 19, 2025.

The extension will allow thousands of eligible Ukrainian TPS beneficiaries to retain the status. Ukrainians who have resided in the US since August 16, 2023, and who do not have TPS can also apply to get the status.

While the extension provides a much-needed relief to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who entered the US, it is not a substitute for permanent residency rights. Congress must pass an adjustment act to provide Ukrainians with a pathway for permanent legal residency.

*** Temporary Protected Status is an immigration relief program that allows foreign citizens from crisis countries to live and work in the US for a set period of time and obtain deportation protections.

Free Immigration Legal Services Intake Day Held

Opening Doors’ Immigration Legal Services Program (ILS) held the first in-person Intake Day since the pandemic on August 29, 2023, to provide free consultation and enroll new clients for direct representation.

The Intake Day was open to anyone with an immigration legal services concern who is not already represented by an attorney. Out of the 50 individuals and families that attended the Intake Day, 24 received free consultations with Opening Doors attorneys. Some attendees were referred to other ILS programs, such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) matters or the Afghan Legal Services Program. The remaining attendees received information on attending immigration court and resources on legal service providers in the area.

ILS plans to hold regular Intake Days throughout the year to provide consultation or direct representation.

Opening Doors Joins the 2023 Fast Pitch Showcase Finalists

We are excited to announce that Opening Doors has made it to the top finalist organizations to participate in the 2023 Fast Pitch Showcase. Hosted by the Social Venture Partners, Fast Pitch is a social innovation program and pitch event that empowers local nonprofits to tell their stories.

The event will occur at the Sofia Center on December 7, 2023, where selected nonprofits will showcase their impact and tell their stories. Opening Doors will join others to tell our stories of standing with immigrants, refugees, and survivors of trafficking on their path to stability, self-sufficiency, and belonging.

The event will allow us to forge new networking opportunities and amplify our impact in the greater Sacramento Region.

Are you looking to start or grow your small business?

Opening Doors' micro-lending program has helped hundreds of immigrants and refugees to start their businesses or expand existing ones since 2004.

The program offers micro-enterprise loans and free technical assistance to immigrants and refugees who are unfamiliar with financial institutions and with limited credit history. It also provides financial literacy, credit counseling, and business counseling to improve immigrants' and refugees' financial capability and earning potential.

Our services are offered in English, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Russian, Ukrainian, & Urdu.

For more information, call or email: