News & Stories

IRIS remains resolved in 'welcoming the stranger' and helping those in need. When justice depends on income, it isn’t justice for all. Our staff has been reduced, resources are being depleted, but our doors remain open thanks to the IRIS Emergency Fund. As long as we are here, we will continue to stand together to uplift those in need.

Ibrahim’s story highlights the life-changing impact of IRIS's social services program. Through this vital support, we are not only preventing homelessness but also empowering young migrants like Ibrahim to overcome adversity and realize their potential.

Essentials Kits: Shop, Assemble, Deliver! IRIS needs hygiene, cleaning, bathroom, kitchen, and school essentials for welcome kits and care packages. Learn about the different kit themes that you (& a group!) can prepare for IRIS clients. IRIS also needs items for workshops and community building. See how you can help support refugees in and around Los Angeles.

IRIS has named Hilda Sarkisians as Director of Operations effective April 1. Sarkisians brings longstanding experience to IRIS’s principal leadership role, succeeding Elder, a veteran immigration attorney who has led the agency since September 2022. Sarkisians’ new position consolidates executive functions, and the staffing changes occur amid reduced federal funding for immigration services.    

The screening of "Mariupol: Survivors" did not leave a dry eye in the sanctuary at IRIS. The documentary exposes the brutal reality of war: between 87,000 and 138,000 civilians are estimated to have been killed in Mariupol. The documentary tells the true stories of Olga, Olena, and Mariia, three survivors whose lives were forever changed by the war. Their accounts paint a harrowing picture of loss, resilience, and survival.

IRIS is once again offering basic immigration legal services in all 13 of our service languages!  Donations to the IRIS Emergency Fund have allowed us to restore assistance with work permits, family visas, green cards, and asylum applications, all of which had been suspended. This is a critical step toward ensuring that our clients—newcomers seeking safety and stability—receive the support they need.

"Mariupol: Survivors" is a compelling documentary feature that marks the directorial debut of artist Mariia Mykhno. This poignant film captures the essence of an unsettling refrain, where three resilient women at its core recount the horrors of war as though they still bear witness to its haunting presence.

On January 20th, IRIS’s funding was frozen. The IRIS Emergency Fund has been established to keep our doors open so that we can continue to serve refugees and immigrants with case management and legal services. 

Standing in Solidarity - An Afternoon of Gratitude with IRIS: Celebrating International Migrants Day and Honoring Volunteer of the Year The Rev. Canon Patricia O’Reilly & our staff and supporters

As the dust settles from one of the most contentious elections in recent memory, at IRIS we find ourselves at a place of uncertainty. For those of us working to support immigrants and build an inclusive, equitable future, the election has reinforced a harsh truth: the fight for justice is far from over.

Forced migration is not just a statistic; it represents real lives uprooted by conflict, persecution, and hardship. IRIS exists to provide safe pathways for these individuals to rebuild their lives, offering resources that empower them to achieve self-sufficiency.

“Even though I couldn’t compensate IRIS for their work, there’s a god that compensates people who help others in this way.” 

At IRIS we are grateful for Immigrants. Soup Joumou is the Haitian soup of freedom. This recipe comes from the Haitian Recipes book created by the moms and business owners of WORK, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to accompany families in Haiti out of poverty through good, dignified jobs. If you're looking for a pumpkin soup recipe, we recommend you give it a try.