IMMIGRANTS Archives - KVRR Local News

Fargo South teacher selected as one of top 10 teachers in the world for Global Teacher Prize

Helps set up scholarship fund for local refugee and immigrant students through earnings

December 4, 2020

George Gonzales,

FARGO, ND– A Fargo high school teacher is one of the top 10 educators in the world. Leah Juelke was a top ten finalist for the Global Teacher Prize. The $55,000 she won will go to refugee and immigrant students. “So, my initiative is I really want them to have some type of individual scholarship that they can apply for…

100 People from More Than 30 Countries Become American Citizens

The largest number of immigrants came from Somalia and Iraq

September 12, 2019

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MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota just got a bit more diverse as about 100 people from over 30 countries were sworn in as American citizens. Ralf Mehnert–Meland, who’s originally from Germany, became a U.S. citizen 18 years ago, and now he gets to welcome the nation’s newest citizens in a full–circle moment. “I became a citizen a month after the attacks…

YMCA Holds Climbing Wall Party As Part of National Welcoming Week

It's a chance for new Americans and people born in the U.S. to get to know each other

September 18, 2018

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FARGO, N.D. — It’s National Welcoming Week, and cities all over the country are putting on activities to welcome immigrants and refugees. The Schlossman YMCA held a climbing wall party, where people got to rock climb on the 32 foot wall. It was a chance for new Americans and people born in the U.S. to get to know each other. Those…

Group Trying to Change ND Constitution Has Enough Signatures to Get on Ballot

Group trying to bar non-U.S. citizens from voting in North Dakota

July 6, 2018

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NORTH DAKOTA — A group wanting to change the North Dakota Constitution to bar non-U.S. citizens from voting says it has enough signatures to get on the ballot. Bismarck State Senate candidate Gary Emineth submitted more than 35,000 signatures to the secretary of state’s office for review. The amendment’s supporters needed almost 27,000 to put the measure in the hands…

Locals Blend Cultures on Fourth of July

They mix ethnic foods with American cuisine

July 4, 2018

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FARGO, N.D. — The Fourth of July is all about being patriotic, and some locals are blending their own cultures with American traditions. Some international grocery stores are open for part of the day, but owners say they’re closing early so they can celebrate America’s independence. One store owner says she’ll have a cookout with her employees, but she’ll be adding…

75 Immigrants Reach Milestone, Become New Americans at MSUM Ceremony

It's a day Zsofia Barandi has waited for more than four years

September 14, 2017

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MOORHEAD, Minn. — Each year, about 700,000 people become naturalized in the United States. Becoming a New American is a very important milestone in an immigrant’s life. It’s a day Zsofia Barandi has waited for more than four years. “It’s an emotional day,” Barandi said. She said it is the start of a new beginning. “I’m very excited and I’m…

Fargo Welcomes Refugees, Immigrants and New Americans

Twenty-three events feature everything from potlucks to happy hour

September 14, 2017

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FARGO, ND — Fargo-Moorhead is the fifth most active welcoming community in America. To keep that status, Welcoming F-M has organized 23 events for Welcome Week 2017. Kevin Brooks made the decision to become a U.S. citizen in 2011. He can still remember words spoken by a man at his naturalization ceremony. “He acknowledged that what a sacrifice people are making…

St. Paul Woman Protesting in Washington D.C. on President Trump’s Deportation Policies

YINGYA VANG SAYS HER FAMILY HAS BEEN DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY DEPORTATION AND HOPES HER STORY CAN HELP ANOTHER FAMILY. OUR WASHINGTON D.C. CORRESPONDENT, ALEXIS WAINWRIGHT REPORTS

June 28, 2017

Site Staff,

WASHINGTON D.C. — One St. Paul woman traveled all the way to Washington, D.C. to protest Trump administration policies on deportation. She hopes her story can make a difference. “My dad was actually affected by deportation,” said Yingya Vang, of St. Paul. “In 2012, he was detained.” Vang has seen deportation first hand. “At that time, my brother was five-years-old and…

Cheney Middle School Celebrates Cultures at New Neighbor Night

People from the FM area and around the world celebrate the cultures of their neighbors

May 11, 2017

Site Staff,

WEST FARGO, N.D. — Through dance, food and games, West Fargo Public Schools is welcoming its new neighbors from around the world. More than 1,000 people from the Valley and many other corners of the globe gathered at Cheney Middle School to celebrate. From Chinese calligraphy to Nepali dances, the New Neighbor Night celebrates the diverse cultures living in West…

“Day Without Immigrants” Social Media Campaign Goes National

Some workers won't get paid, but many said protesting is worth the sacrifice

February 16, 2017

TJ Nelson,

NATIONAL — Dozens of restaurants and other businesses shut their doors in Minneapolis as part of a “Day Without Immigrants.” The social media-driven campaign is taking place in several cities across the country. It urges foreign-born people not to go to work or school, or shop, as a way to show how immigrants help the U.S. economy. Hundreds of protesters…