Nearly 200 protesters gathered at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids on Sunday in the wake of an executive order issued Friday by President Donald Trump barring citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Sudan from entering the U.S. for 90 days. The order also denied entry to all refugees for 120 days, except those […]
Immigration
High school students urge community to unite against hate following election
Students from Iowa City’s City High School and West High School organized a march against hate Tuesday night. The students initially called for a march after multiple alleged incidents of hate based on race, religion, gender and sexuality had occurred on their campuses. The students said this past election cycle has emboldened hatred from their […]
Immigrants, refugees in eastern Iowa navigate their way to the voting booth
Shouts and cheers in a mix of French and occasional English rang out on Coe College’s Clark Field in Cedar Rapids last month as soccer players from countries across Africa vied for a goal. The game celebrated the mixture of cultures immigrants bring to eastern Iowa, but the overarching goal was to raise awareness about […]
Interview: Writer José Orduña on the U.S.’ inconsistent immigration policies, Trump rhetoric and the scapegoating of migrants
José Orduña reading Prairie Lights — Thursday, Apr. 21 at 7 p.m. In José Orduña’s recently published debut, The Weight of Shadows: A Memoir of Immigration, he explores his path through the naturalization process, from his early life as a “removable alien” in Chicago, to becoming a United States citizen during his time in Iowa […]
Home in the heartland: Sudanese Americans in Iowa City hold on to their heritage while embracing new lives
From the busy street of Mormon Trek Boulevard in Iowa City, the Pheasant Ridge Apartment Complex looks like an assortment of dull brick and…
Community members to gather on the Ped Mall in support of detained pastor
Community members and youth leaders will gather on the Ped Mall today at 4 p.m. in response to the recent detainment of several area residents by Immigration…
Arrest of Iowa City pastor Max Villatoro spurs outrage, raises questions
At 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, Max Villatoro, pastor of a local Mennonite Church and father of four, was taken from his home and detained in the Linn County Jail…

