President Obama's recent Executive Order will soon impact many lives in the Charlotte area. The Order extends protection from deportation to about 4.3 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States. Immigrants will be eligible to apply for three years of relief from deportation and work permits if they arrived in the US before 2010 and were under the age of 16 upon arrival. They are also eligible to apply for this relief if they arrived in the US before 2010 and have at least one child who is a US citizen or legal resident.   

It is important to remember what the Obama administration is - and is not - doing with this Order.  What the administration is doing is allowing certain unauthorized immigrants to apply for something called "deferred action." Deferred action offers protection from deportation for a certain amount of time - in this case, three years. The administration is also issuing work permits, which allow people to work in the US legally, to those immigrants who receive deferred action.

 But deferred action, even with a work permit, isn't the same as legal status. Immigrants who get deferred action are still unauthorized. They are not legal, and they are not getting a path to citizenship.  The President is not legalizing millions of immigrants with this Order, but he is providing temporary relief that will allow many to come out of the shadows, work here legitimately, and stay with their families without the daily fear of deportation.

 We look forward to assisting those who will be eligible for our services under the President's Executive Order, even as we continue to serve hundreds of refugees and immigrants who are already eligible.  International House has long been known as the place where Charlotte welcomes the world.  The welcome mat just got a little larger, and we are here to help!

International House celebrates language and culture through weekly conversation hours.  

FREE and for all levels! 

*No registration required

* Drop-ins welcome

Conversation hours are held at 1817 Central Avenue, 

Room 202.  Check out the calendar and  join us today!

International House's vision is a Charlotte that welcomes and embraces the world.

Our mission is to promote international understanding and help immigrants integrate fully into our community. 

Once Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, it's time to celebrate #GivingTuesday on December 2nd! This is your opportunity to give back in whatever way you choose - make a donation, volunteer time or help a neighbor!

 In Charlotte, over 60 local nonprofits, including International House,  have come together to celebrate #GivingTuesdayCLT.  We hope that you will join us. Together with SHARE Charlotte, we're asking you to take a step back from the holiday bustle and GIVE to your neighbors!

 And, thanks to a $10,000 matching funds grant from Knight Foundation, a portion of each dollar donated will be matched. Click on the donate button to make your gift now:

Please support us with your donation now!  With your help, International House will continue to be the place

Where Charlotte Welcomes the World!

You are invited to our Front Porch Potluck Party  on Thursday, December 18th ,
6-8pm, at International House, auditorium.  This is an event for participants in our language conversation hours - and for new members who want to know more about this program!

Please bring a dish from your native country to share with friends. Don't have a dish to bring? No worries! Join us for the food, music, games and prizes! For more information, contact AlmaHernandez at 704-333-8099 x126 or at  ahernandez@ihclt.org.

The U.S. Youth Ambassadors Programs are three-week leadership exchanges abroad for U.S. teenagers ages  15-17 and adult mentors. The programs aim to develop a cadre of young adults in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and the U.S. who have a strong sense of civic responsibility, a commitment to community development, an awareness of current and global issues, strong interpersonal leadership skills, willingness to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and the U.S., and to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between the United States and South America.

 Click here to  learn more about this program and to download an application.   Applications are due by January 10th!