CFJC Hosts Community Conversation on Immigrant & Refugee Support

On April 22, the Community Foundation of Johnson County hosted a Community Conversation on Immigrant & Refugee Support at the Coralville Public Library. Residents from across Johnson County came eager to learn about the current landscape of immigrant and refugee resources in the area. The discussion was led by a panel of local professionals who work in immigration support, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the community.

Featured speakers included:

• Presentation: Peter Gerlach – Iowa City Foreign Relations Council
• Panel Moderator: Deb Dunkhase – Open Heartland
• Panelists:
  • Ayman Sharif – Center for Worker Justice
  • Emily Sinnwell – Catholic Worker House
  • Isaac Appel – University of Iowa Immigrant Clinic
  • Mazahir Salih – Immigrant Welcome Network
  • Sunday Goshit – IC Compassion

Peter Gerlach of the Iowa City Foreign Relations council opened the event with a presentation. Gerlach provided a historical overview of Iowa’s longstanding support for immigrants and refugees, highlighted current barriers faced by immigrants and refugees, and outlined the resources available in Johnson County.

The presentation was followed by a panel discussion—moderated by Deb Dunkhase—which offered deeper exploration into the immigrant experience. Panelists shared how their organizations contribute to supporting immigrant and refugee populations and voiced perspectives on recent immigration policies.

The central theme throughout the evening was the importance of collaboration and coordinated efforts among community partners to better serve and support immigrant and refugee communities in Johnson County.

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