Neighbor to Neighbor

Neighbor to Neighbor Creating a community network for South Bend's refugees and immigrants.

Did You Know? Immigration backlogs don’t just “happen” and are not the fault of the people trying to use the system. The...
06/02/2026

Did You Know?

Immigration backlogs don’t just “happen” and are not the fault of the people trying to use the system. They’re the result of policy choices and system strain.

Here are a few of the biggest drivers right now:

⚖️ Fewer judges + more cases
In 2025, the federal government fired nearly 100 immigration judges, while courts already faced over 3.5 million pending cases. Fewer judges means longer waits, with some hearings now scheduled years into the future.

📂 Re-reviewing already approved cases
Instead of moving forward, the system is spending time re-checking cases that were already deeply vetted and approved by USCIS, adding tens of thousands of extra steps and delays.

🔄 More frequent renewals = more paperwork
Policies that require people to renew documents like work permits (EADs) more often create a constant cycle of applications, slowing down processing for everyone.

📈 More enforcement, more cases
Recent policy shifts have dramatically increased arrests and deportation efforts, sending hundreds of thousands of additional cases into an already overwhelmed system.

💡 The bottom line:
Backlogs are about way more than demand. They’re about capacity. When resources shrink, workloads grow, and more hoops are added, delays are inevitable.

Because behind every “case” is a person or family waiting—often for years—for stability, safety, and a chance to move forward with their lives.

The Neighbor to Neighbor community is mourning the unexpected loss of Dean R. Heisey, beloved community member, patient ...
05/28/2026

The Neighbor to Neighbor community is mourning the unexpected loss of Dean R. Heisey, beloved community member, patient volunteer, and ambassador of immigrant newcomers. It was not uncommon for us to receive an email from Dean, cheering on the work of welcome and our efforts in that work. He volunteered in our Driving Education Program and worked with a number of student drivers, helping them toward their goals of independence. He was generous with his time, possessions, and skills. Upon hearing the tragic news of his passing, one of his students said, "May God give strength to those who had the grace to meet Dean in this life."

✨ Where We’re Finding Joy: Big Dreams, Bright Futures 🎓 This season, we’re celebrating some incredible milestones in our...
05/28/2026

✨ Where We’re Finding Joy: Big Dreams, Bright Futures 🎓

This season, we’re celebrating some incredible milestones in our N2N community: Several of our teenage newcomer clients are preparing to graduate high school, stepping forward with courage and so much promise.

We’re also cheering on those who have already crossed that stage and are now attending college, building careers, and contributing meaningfully to our community every day. Their hard work is shaping not only their own futures, but the future of our city as a whole.

For many of these young adults, finishing their education wasn’t something they could have done in their home countries. Here in northern Indiana of all places, they’ve found the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We are so grateful they’re part of our community.

Their journeys remind us that when people are given the chance to succeed, they do…and we all benefit for it.

Did You Know? Visa Caps Shape Who Gets to Come “the Right Way”Each year, the U.S. government sets strict limits on how m...
05/21/2026

Did You Know? Visa Caps Shape Who Gets to Come “the Right Way”

Each year, the U.S. government sets strict limits on how many people can immigrate through employment-based and family-sponsored visas. These caps not only limit the total number, they also determine how many visas are available to people from each country.

This means your country of origin can dramatically affect your wait time. For example, someone applying from Mexico could face a wait of 20 years or more just to receive an immigrant visa.

So when people say, “get in line” or “do it the right way,” it’s important to understand what that line actually looks like: A system with limited spots, unequal access by country, and decades-long waits that keep families separated and opportunities out of reach.

The reality is that these long delays can push people into impossible choices, often waiting decades apart from loved ones, or seeking other ways to survive and reunite.

The good news is this: the system isn’t unfixable.

The US government has the power to increase visa caps and rebalance allocations, creating a more fair and functional immigration process, and reducing the need for undocumented entry.

Because building a better system starts with understanding how the current one works.

What a joy to spend the day together at the ballpark! ⚾️This past Saturday, members of N2N’s Welcome Project gathered at...
05/11/2026

What a joy to spend the day together at the ballpark! ⚾️

This past Saturday, members of N2N’s Welcome Project gathered at the South Bend Cubs game as they took on the Lansing Lugnuts. The event allowed us all to take time to connect and build community.

Outings like these are a chance for newcomers and volunteers to share experiences and feel a sense of belonging in the broader South Bend community. From cheering in the stands to enjoying conversations between innings, it was a meaningful day all around.

We’re grateful for moments like these that remind us what it means to be neighbors. 💛

✨ Where We’re Finding Joy ✨Sometimes joy shows up in thoughtful and unexpected ways.Years ago, while visiting Damascus, ...
05/07/2026

✨ Where We’re Finding Joy ✨

Sometimes joy shows up in thoughtful and unexpected ways.

Years ago, while visiting Damascus, local community member Jane Pitz purchased a couple of paintings from a local Syrian artist, feeling that they captured the beauty and culture of the place. Recently, she decided to pass those pieces on to a Syrian family here in our community, hoping it might bring a sense of familiarity and comfort.

A gift like this can be a bridge between places, a recognition of what home can mean, and a quiet way of saying, “we see you.”

In moments like this, we’re reminded how powerful it can be to share pieces of culture with care and intention. Small acts of thoughtfulness can help turn a new place into one that feels a little more welcoming...and a little more like home.

EXCITING NEWS: We're hiring!Neighbor to Neighbor is hiring a part-time Volunteer Care Coordinator. This person will ensu...
05/01/2026

EXCITING NEWS: We're hiring!

Neighbor to Neighbor is hiring a part-time Volunteer Care Coordinator. This person will ensure that volunteer teams are well-supported, culturally responsive, and rooted in Neighbor to Neighbor’s mission of mutuality, dignity, and empowerment.

This is an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others and contribute to our mission of reducing isolation for Northern Indiana area newcomers and developing empathy in the region.

Application window closes June 1, 2026.

For more information and/or to apply, visit n2nsb.org/news/volunteer-care-coordinator

Did You Know?New information from the Department of Justice reveals that ICE never had the legal authority to make arres...
04/30/2026

Did You Know?

New information from the Department of Justice reveals that ICE never had the legal authority to make arrests in immigration courthouses, despite carrying out thousands of them. In March, a court filing in African Communities Together v. Lyons corrected a “material mistaken statement of fact,” acknowledging that ICE had misinformed both its officers and the DOJ about its ability to detain people attending their required immigration court hearings.

Yet these arrests have already had widespread consequences. Between May and October in 2025, 2,500 people were arrested at immigration courts, often immediately after their hearings, when cases are dismissed and individuals are transferred into expedited removal. Some arrests have happened even before the hearings, which suggests a lack of due process and has particularly incited fear in the immigrant population.

The impact is chilling: more and more immigrants are understandably choosing not to attend their hearings out of fear of arrest. But missing a court date almost always leads to a removal order as well.

That leaves many with an impossible choice:
➡️ Follow the legal process and risk detention
➡️ Or stay away and risk deportation for not showing up

Either way, people seeking safety and stability are being punished simply for trying to follow the law. And this new evidence suggests these courthouse arrests have been illegal all along.

A huge THANK YOU to all who participated and volunteered at the Poker Run!Saturday's 3rd annual Poker Run fundraising ev...
04/28/2026

A huge THANK YOU to all who participated and volunteered at the Poker Run!

Saturday's 3rd annual Poker Run fundraising event was a huge success: the weather was great, volunteers and participants alike enjoyed stopping by the various locations, the DJs were amazing, three lucky people came away with fun prizes, AND we raised $5,495 for the Newcomer Assistance Fund! We are so very grateful.

If you weren't able to get in on the fun, there's always next year! AND, we are always taking donations to the Newcomer Assistance Fund, so feel free to support our immigrant newcomer families that way at any time.

♠️ Final call to join the fun! 🃏Haven’t anted up for Neighbor to Neighbor’s Poker Run yet? There’s still time!This is yo...
04/24/2026

♠️ Final call to join the fun! 🃏

Haven’t anted up for Neighbor to Neighbor’s Poker Run yet? There’s still time!

This is your chance to gather some friends, spend the afternoon out in the community tomorrow, and be part of something bigger, all while helping us reach our $5,000 goal for the Newcomer Assistance Fund. Every hand purchased strengthens the work of welcome and reminds our newest neighbors they’re not alone here.

Plus…amazing prizes, great local stops, and a celebration to wrap it all up. 🎉

Don’t sit this one out — we’d love to see you there.

Get the details and buy your hand now at n2nsb.org/poker-run!

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