CBP Issues Parole Termination Notices: What You Need to Know

In early April 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began issuing termination notices to individuals previously granted parole. This action has sparked widespread concern and confusion among attorneys, advocates, and parolees alike. The notices lack case-specific details, stating only that parole has been terminated and urging immediate departure from the United States.

Given these circumstances, we strongly recommend that anyone who has received this notification consult with an immigration attorney to evaluate their situation and determine the best course of action.

You can find more information and resources here.

Protecting Our Voting Rights

Our democracy's foundation - our right to vote - is facing a decisive challenge in Congress. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which has cleared the House and now awaits Senate action, will fundamentally alter how Americans exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Generations of Americans have successfully fought to secure and expand voting rights. The proposed legislation would reverse these hard-won protections through restrictions that will create barriers for eligible voters.

If you care about immigrants, healthcare, environmental protection, literacy, or economic policy, protecting voting rights is fundamental - it's the mechanism through which all other rights and policy changes are achieved. Without fair and equal access to voting, no other issue can be properly addressed through our democratic process.

Key Changes in the Proposed Law:

• New citizenship documentation requirements

• Additional verification steps for women who have changed their names

• In-person verification for mail-in registration applications

• Restrictions on community voter registration drives

Implementation Issues

Election officials have raised clear objections to implementing this bill. The legislation provides inadequate guidance for acceptable documentation and will overwhelm local election offices. It neglects to protect voters with disabilities and exposes election officials to criminal penalties for administrative errors.

While proponents claim the law strengthens election integrity, the evidence is clear: non-citizen voting—the issue this legislation targets—is exceptionally rare.

The right to vote transcends all political divisions and ideological differences. It is the cornerstone of our democracy that enables every citizen, regardless of their political beliefs or policy priorities, to have a voice in shaping our nation's future. Your engagement is essential to protecting this fundamental right:

• Contact your Senators about this legislation

• Monitor the bill's progress and its effects on your community

• Share information about these changes with others

• Support organizations defending voting rights

This is a defining moment for American democracy. Your voice carries weight, and your vote shapes our future. Take action today—visit senate.gov to find your Senators' contact information and stand up for our democratic heritage.

Riverside Reading Groups

Click to hear Gloria, a Riverside Level 3 participant, share her Riverside Reading Group experience.

Riverside's Reading Groups launched just a few weeks ago, and we're thrilled to share how well the program has been received by both participants and volunteers. The initiative is creating valuable opportunities for Riverside participants to expand their vocabulary, improve their fluency, and enhance their comprehension. The sessions also increase opportunities for valuable language practice and interaction.

Currently, the Reading Groups are offered twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, and each session is 45 minutes long. For more information, contact us at info@riversideimmigrantservices.org.

One Hundred Days

In the first 100 days of the new administration, 175 major immigration policy changes have reshaped our landscape. These changes affect real people in our community: families seeking safety, students pursuing education, and neighbors contributing to our shared future. The changes include suspending refugee resettlement and revoking protections for previously safeguarded groups through the removal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole. As a result, 530,000 immigrants face uncertainty about their status, while 100,000 pre-approved refugees remain in limbo. International students—vital members of our community—now face heightened scrutiny and visa revocations, with 1,800 students losing their F-1 or J-1 visas. Additionally, mixed-status families risk losing access to essential programs like Head Start.

Immigration enforcement within the country has intensified, with ICE conducting 650 arrests daily. The expansion of 287(g) agreements has led to unprecedented cooperation between federal and local law enforcement, raising significant constitutional and due process concerns. Families now face expedited deportations with limited legal resources.

These policy shifts have prompted 50 lawsuits, three of which have reached the Supreme Court. On May 15, the Court will hear a pivotal case challenging birthright citizenship for children of non-citizen or non-permanent resident parents.

Riverside's Response: Taking Decisive Action to Support Our Community

As the landscape of needs within New York City's immigrant community continues to evolve and present new challenges, Riverside has developed and implemented strategies that protect, empower, and uplift our participants and community members. Our response encompasses multiple vital areas of support:

• Enhanced Legal Support Network: We are providing direct access to experienced immigration attorneys through regularly scheduled one-on-one legal clinics. Monthly information sessions are helping Riverside participants understand and navigate how policy changes affect their specific situations, ensuring they have the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their cases.

• Mental Health Services: On Tuesday, April 29th, Riverside, in partnership with RaisingHealth, we will host an extensive Mental Health Fair offering culturally sensitive bilingual counseling, comprehensive stress management workshops, specialized trauma-informed care, and thorough mental health assessments. Through our ongoing collaboration with RaisingHealth, we are ensuring that our community has continuous, reliable, and direct access to immigrant-friendly mental health services designed to address their unique needs and experiences.

• Education and Empowerment: Our monthly know-your-rights workshops include detailed, practical, and interactive role-playing scenarios that prepare community members for various potential interactions with law enforcement. 

Moving Forward Together: Building a Stronger Community

Despite these significant challenges, we remain unwavering and steadfast in our fundamental commitment to supporting and protecting immigrants in New York City. We are determined to ensure that every individual within our community receives not only the essential resources they need, but also the comprehensive support and robust protection they rightfully deserve. Our dedication to this mission continues to drive our efforts forward each day.

Alum Profile: Rosa Asprilla

Written by Rod Granger

Rosa Asprilla credits Riverside as the invaluable catalyst for her continuing American success story. Arriving from Colombia in 2021, where she served as a Spanish teacher with the Secretaria De Educacion De Jamundi, Rosa began English classes at Riverside with the goal of also becoming a Spanish teacher in the U.S. 
 
She quickly stood out. “Rosa was an excellent student,” says ESOL teacher Doris Athineos. “I still use questions that she asked in my classes.” “Doris supported me constantly,” says Rosa, “she said, ‘You can do it, you can do all of it.” Rosa also cites Riverside volunteer Robert Boatti as an important mentor through her journey.
 
As part of Riverside’s efforts to engage its participants with conversation partners, Doris’s class was visited by students from Barnard College, led by Dr. Maria Lozano, Senior Lecturer and Program Director of the College’s Dept. of Spanish and Latin American Cultures.
 
Rosa and Dr. Lozano sat together, and in one of life’s mysterious circumstances, they discovered that they were both from Cali, Colombia. “That is the first miracle in the story,” says Rosa. Through the Riverside connection they stayed in touch, with Dr. Lozano also becoming an important mentor. “That was the beginning,” she says. “Rosa told me she was interested in earning her master’s degree, and I let her know about some programs in Spain.”
 
Rosa began her online studies with the Universidad Internacional de Valencia. To help her complete her practicum requirements, Dr. Lozano also provided Rosa with an internship as an assistant teacher in her classroom.
 
In 2024, three years after her arrival in New York City, Rosa earned her Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and has since gone on to work full-time as a Spanish teacher in New York.
 
Congratulations Rosa!!

A Riverside Encounter

I was at PJ Clarke's, having a snack with my partner after a film screening at Lincoln Center. Our waiter spoke with thoughtful deliberation. He was probably not a native English speaker, but he took great care with his words. He double checked with us to ensure that he had gotten the order correctly.

Later he presented me and my partner with the check. When I asked him if he was from Russia the waiter said, yes. I mentioned that I recognized his accent because I was volunteering as a group conversation leader at an immigrant services community center called the Riverside Language Program. His face lit up. He told us that he had studied at that school and had gained so much English language proficiency that they guided him to a more advanced course. I asked the gentleman what he did in Russia. He replied that he was a lawyer. My partner, who is not a reticent sort, then told the waiter that I was a retired judge. After expressing his admiration, the gentleman told us that he had been accepted at Fordham Law School and at that moment we were all looking in marvel at that very school building right across the street.

As my partner and I were leaving the restaurant the waiter called out to us, "Thank you for volunteering at Riverside, thank you for Riverside."

Eleanor MacDonald
Riverside Volunteer

Buunni Coffee Visit

Riverside students recently had the exciting opportunity to tour Buunni Coffee’s roasting facility in the Bronx, warmly welcomed by founders Sarina and Elias, an inspiring husband-and-wife team. Since founding Buunni Coffee in 2012 after moving from Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, Sarina and Elias have brought Ethiopian hospitality and rich coffee flavors to the U.S. During the visit, they shared their entrepreneurial journey, offering our students valuable insights into resilience, business ownership, and the craft of coffee roasting.

Exciting Staffing Changes at Riverside

Riverside is pleased to announce two strategic staffing changes that will significantly enhance Riverside's ability to grow and develop its programs and services.

We are thrilled to introduce Vivian Soto as Riverside's Workforce Development Program Manager, a new position at Riverside. Vivian brings extensive experience in public affairs, business outreach, and economic development. In her previous work, she has collaborated with government agencies and community stakeholders to support small business initiatives. She has led impactful workforce development programs, including the Regional Workforce Alliance in Los Angeles. Vivian's expertise and passion will be instrumental in expanding our workforce development initiatives and creating new opportunities for our community members.

We are also excited to announce Elizabeth Sprenger's well-deserved promotion to Lead Instructor. Elizabeth has been integral to the Riverside family for over 20 years, teaching participants across all levels. In her new role, Elizabeth will coordinate and advance innovation in our language program, ensure Riverside's representation at field conferences and presentations, and align the language program with Riverside's other programs and services. This promotion recognizes Elizabeth's dedication, expertise, and invaluable contributions to our organization.

We're excited about the positive impact these changes will have on our organization and the community we serve. Please join us in welcoming Vivian Soto to the Riverside team and congratulating Elizabeth Sprenger on her promotion.

Empowering Voices: Riverside Joins NYC Participatory Budgeting Initiative

As part of our commitment to civic and community engagement work, Riverside will hold a special training session on Participatory Budgeting for participants on November 7th in partnership with the League of Women Voters of New York City (LWVNYC).

Participatory Budgeting is a unique opportunity for all New Yorkers to propose creative solutions to address city problems regardless of background or status. These ideas are developed into ballot proposals and voted on by residents in each borough. Winning projects receive funding and will be implemented starting in July 2025.

This program, now in its third year and managed by the Civic Engagement Committee (CEC), is particularly significant for our community. It provides new immigrants and refugees with a concrete way to actively participate in the allocation of City funding and engage as community stakeholders. It's a powerful tool for civic integration and empowerment. 

For more information about the Citywide Participatory Budgeting process, visit the CEC's online platform at participate.nyc.gov, where you can find translated materials and informative videos. Let's make our voices heard and help shape the future of New York City!

Honoring Brian Kohn: A Dedicated Mentor

Some people leave an indelible mark on the lives they touch. Brian Kohn was one such individual. Brian was a dedicated mentor at Riverside whose impact continues to resonate with those he guided.

Brian became a mentor in December 2021. During that time, he generously shared his time and wisdom with four mentees, working with them on career and educational advancement needs.

His impact is evident in the heartfelt testimonials from his mentees:

• Feruza Kassimova described Brian as having "a beautiful heart," praising his caring and empathetic nature. She highlighted how Brian went above and beyond, not only helping her build a resume building and offering career advice but also sharing valuable insights about life in the city.

• Marta Buktyuk fondly remembered Brian as "a very intelligent person," recounting their wide-ranging conversations on numerous topics. She appreciated his unique perspective on American culture and life.

• Nastassia Zharnouskaya credited Brian with helping her navigate job interviews, noting the significant difference his assistance made in her preparation and practice.

His mentorship extended beyond professional guidance. Brian shared personal stories, offered useful ‘life hacks,’ and even introduced one mentee to his grandfather via Zoom, creating connections that transcended the typical mentor-mentee relationship.

Sadly, on August 20, 2022, Brian passed away. His all-too-brief but profound impact on our mentoring program exemplifies the power of volunteerism and the far-reaching effects of genuine care and dedication. His approach—personal, empathetic, and holistic—brought immeasurable value to our community and organization.

To honor Brian’s commitment and dedication, Brian’s family is making a contribution to Riverside that will support ongoing programs and services for new immigrants and refugees. They have given us permission to share this story with our community so that his memory can continue to inspire our volunteers, encouraging them to approach each interaction with the same level of care, wisdom, and openness that Brian so naturally embodied.

We are so grateful for Brian Kohn's service and express our condolences to his family.

Beyond the Elections: Riverside’s Commitment to the Immigrant Community

Over the last few weeks, I've found myself in a state of denial, avoiding stressful "what if" conversations and apocalyptic predictions. My mind has been resisting the possibility of going back to 2016.

However, in an effort to be proactive and prepared, Riverside has embarked on election scenario planning. This process has forced me to confront the stark possibility that we might soon face an even more hostile anti-immigrant climate than before. So, how does one prepare for next week’s election?

Most importantly, Riverside will remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting and empowering our immigrant community regardless of the election outcome. We recognize that while the candidates differ dramatically in their policy plans for immigrants in the United States, substantial work remains to be done in reforming immigration policies and creating pathways to citizenship.

Our approach will be to develop robust, comprehensive strategies ensuring we can continue effectively serving and advocating for our community, no matter the political landscape.

These strategies focus on six key areas:
 

1. Amplifying Immigrant Voices: Creating more platforms for participants to share their stories, ensuring their experiences are heard and understood.

2. Empowering Through Knowledge: Equipping our community with resources and critical information about policy changes, their rights, and available support systems.

3. Adaptability and Responsiveness: Our programs are designed to swiftly adapt to changing needs, responding to policy shifts and embracing new integration opportunities.

4. Comprehensive Support Services: Strengthening community engagement, legal partnerships, and mental health services to provide holistic support.

5. Advocacy and Collaboration: Doubling down on our efforts to advocate for fair policies and collaborate with local agencies to improve service delivery.

6. Fostering Integration and Success: Scaling up our capacity to serve immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, focusing on education, job training, and civic engagement programs.

Riverside is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where all individuals can thrive, regardless of their immigration status. We will work with all stakeholders to fight for justice and create opportunities for our immigrant population's success and growth.

Berta Colón
Executive Director

Eduardo Salazar TED Talk

We are proud to share that Riverside's Alumni Leadership Council member, Eduardo Salazar is having a TED Talk on April 12, at 10 am.  Eduardo is from Venezuela and attended Riverside in 2019. He recently graduated from CUNY’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. While at CUNY, Eduardo interned with CNN International and Atlanta, and has since worked as a freelancer for the New York Times.  His TED Talk is part of a CUNY series called Unravel, and will focus on the mental health, wellbeing, and resilience of the immigrant community; particularly asylum seekers. We encourage our community to attend and show support for our wonderful alum! Tickets are on sale here.

You can learn more about Eduardo's upcoming TED Talk here!