On November 15, people across the state streamed into Chez Rama the Ohio Immigrant Alliance’s first-ever Family Reunion. It was a chance to be together in person, at the end of a difficult year.

Video highlights will be posted soon. For now, check out a photo recap.

This annotated version of Souleye Ball’s poem provides cultural references and context for people who aren’t familiar with Mauritanian history, culture, geography, and U.S. immigration policy. It offers a deeper level of understanding of the poem, and we invite you to listen to his delivery as well.

Margarita Asicona Avilés, an Ixil woman from Homestead, Florida, has been held for days in a local jail, separated from her children, without an interpreter to explain what is happening, or help her communicate with attorneys and the court. She is facing criminal charges, and possibly deportation and the loss of custody of her children. The confusion and terror Ms. Asicona Avilés must feel, without being able to fully express herself, is unimaginable.

Shining the spotlight on some elected officials who will be continuing office, or assuming new roles, in 2026.

Anisa Liban was elected to the Westerville School Board, retaining a seat to which she was appointed. Anisa is the first Black Muslim and Somali woman elected to serve on a school board in Ohio! OIA proudly worked with Anisa, United Bantu of Ohio, Zamzam Women & Family Center, State Rep. Munira Abdullahi, and CAIR-Ohio’s Columbus and Cincinnati Office to draw attention to the horrific hate crime against a Columbus mom earlier this year. The Columbus Police had failed to take action against the assailants, whose crime was caught on video, and we turned to the media to attempt to bring “Faith” the accountability and justice she deserved.   

Austin Davis was elected to represent Ward 7 on the Cleveland City Council. Austin represented one of our heroes from the #ReuniteUS campaign in a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and CoreCivic. This man and his legal team achieved a settlement in a medical neglect case that allowed him to obtain surgery so he can walk again. Austin also represented Cleveland Heights resident and OIA friend Jonas Nsongi Mbonga in his immigration case before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Nadia Rasoul, a U.S citizen of Palestinian heritage, became the first Muslim woman elected to Hilliard City Council and Ajmeri Hoque became the first Bangladeshi, Muslim, and naturalized citizen to be elected judge in Franklin County. Hoque was honored with the Spirit of Justice Award at CAIR-Ohio’s banquet in Columbus earlier this year.

Are there other officials you think we should highlight? Comment on social media to tell us who and why. 

CAIR-Ohio’s Columbus and Cincinnati Office honored OIA’s Executive Director, Lynn Tramonte, with the Trailblazer Award. The Honorable Cori Bush gave a keynote speech at the banquet.

View photos and Tramonte’s video and statement here.

There’s a new way to support the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, and spread the message that migration is a basic act of being human! Head over to our new Bonfire Store and pick up a t-shirt, belt bag, or sling bag for yourself and everyone on your gift list.

Art helps us process the idea of “place,” especially when governments build borders overnight, and force us to live between them. Indigenous people understand this better than anyone.

Get to The Sculpture Center in Cleveland before November 8 to see Federico Cuatlacuatl’s exhibit, “Xoxal: Baño de Fuego.”

For the first time ever, we’re making digital versions of the Ohio Migration Anthology completely free! Download Volume 1, “Far From Their Eyes,” here and Volume 2, “(Everything Is) Cells and Bodies,” here.