Event – LULAC Cincinnati

Mayra Casas Jackson, Inside the Immigration Bottleneck

LULAC Cincinnati Event July 22, 2026July 22, 2026Cincinnati, community, Immigration

Cincinnati, July 1, 2026 — Cincinnati Magazine recently published “Figuring Out the Immigration Process,” a feature highlighting the complex and often overwhelming journey immigrants face when seeking legal status in the United States. The article includes insights from Mayra Casas Jackson, executive director of the Immigrant & Refugee Law Center and advisor to LULAC Cincinnati, who explains how bureaucratic delays and shifting federal policies create significant barriers for families trying to build a new life.

🌎 Key Points from the Article

The immigration system is deeply complex. Applicants must navigate layers of paperwork, interviews, fees, and long wait times—often without clear guidance.
Humanitarian cases face extreme delays. Processing times for refugee and humanitarian visas have stretched from months to years, leaving many in prolonged uncertainty.

Recent federal pauses have intensified challenges. A late-2025 halt on green card processing for refugees and asylees has left thousands waiting while their cases undergo additional review.
Local impact is significant. Refugees assigned to Greater Cincinnati arrive through resettlement agencies, but the path to stability and citizenship remains difficult.

Jackson brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her advocacy. As a Peruvian immigrant and longtime legal representative, she works to help families understand their options and access the support they need. Her leadership at the Immigrant & Refugee Law Center continues to strengthen Cincinnati’s commitment to welcoming newcomers.

The challenges outlined in Cincinnati Magazine’s report show how deeply immigration policies affect real families—people seeking safety, stability, and the chance to contribute to their new communities. Long delays, shifting federal rules, and complex legal requirements can leave newcomers in years of uncertainty.

LULAC Cincinnati is glad to see this information brought forward, as public awareness is essential for meaningful change. When stories like these reach a wider audience, they help our community understand the realities immigrants face and highlight the importance of strong local support systems. By elevating voices like Mayra Casas Jackson’s, we reinforce our commitment to advocacy, empowerment, and ensuring Cincinnati remains a welcoming place for all.

🎶LULAC@“Wednesdays in the Woods” – Immigrant & Refugee Solidarity Night

LULAC Cincinnati Event July 22, 2026July 26, 2026Cincinnati, community, vote

Cincinnati, July 8, 2026 — The Clifton Cultural Arts Center celebrated its 18th season of Wednesdays in the Woods with a vibrant evening dedicated to Immigrant & Refugee Solidarity Night, featuring the dynamic ensemble Somos Música y Sabor (We Are Music and Flavor!). The event took place at Burnet Woods, right in the heart of Cincinnati, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of more than 600 attendees.

The park came alive with the rhythms of Latin music as families, neighbors, and community partners gathered to enjoy the performance and connect with local organizations. LULAC Cincinnati was proud to join the celebration, sharing information about our mission and encouraging civic participation ahead of the November midterm elections. Volunteers were on hand to answer questions about voter registration and help attendees navigate the registration process if they wished.

Events like these highlight the strength and diversity of our community—bringing people together through culture, music, and shared purpose.

LULAC Cincinnati Supports Latino Families at the OWN Cincy Homeownership Fair

LULAC Cincinnati Event July 21, 2026July 22, 2026

Left-Right: Rayhane Nogueira, LULAC Cincinnati bard member, Ailleen Cobbs, President of LULAC Cincinnati, Judge Triggs LULAC Member

Nogueira, LULAC Cincinnati board member, Ailleen Cobbs, President of LULAC Cincinnati with Fifth Third bank friends

Senator Ingram say hello

LULAC Cincinnati joined the 3rd annual OWN Cincy Homeownership & Wealth‑Building Fair, a community event dedicated to helping families access the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to achieve homeownership and build long‑term financial stability.

By offering bilingual guidance and culturally informed support, LULAC ensured Latino families could fully engage with the fair’s resources—grant opportunities, lending information, financial literacy sessions, and connections to trusted housing partners. Many attendees shared that having someone who could explain the process in Spanish made the experience more accessible, empowering, and meaningful.

OWN Cincy’s mission to expand homeownership aligns closely with LULAC’s commitment to advancing equity and opportunity. Through this partnership, more Latino families were able to ask questions, understand their options, and take confident steps toward building generational wealth.

LULAC Cincinnati is proud to stand with community partners working to make homeownership achievable for every family in our regio

Baseball Unites, Fear Divides!

LULAC Cincinnati Event July 12, 2026July 22, 2026

Dreamers Act

LULAC Cincinnati Event July 12, 2026July 22, 2026

LULAC Cincinnati Stands With Immigrant Communities at “Protest ICE” Event

LULAC Cincinnati Event June 3, 2026June 3, 2026Baseball, community, Immigration

Cincinnati, May 31, 2026 — LULAC Cincinnati joined community members outside Great American Ball Park for the “Protest ICE” demonstration, an event organized to show solidarity with Major League Baseball players and immigrant families expressing growing fear over stepped‑up immigration enforcement at sports venues.

Participants gathered to raise awareness about reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appearing at professional baseball stadiums, a trend that has caused concern among athletes, fans, and advocacy groups. Last year, ICE agents were seen twice at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, prompting widespread unease within the baseball community.

LULAC Cincinnati’s presence underscored its ongoing commitment to defending immigrant rights and ensuring that public spaces — including sports arenas — remain welcoming and safe for all. The organization emphasized that increased enforcement at ballparks risks creating a climate of fear for immigrant players, their families, and fans who simply want to enjoy America’s pastime.

LULAC Cincinnati and Community Partners Host Successful Passport Community Access Day

LULAC Cincinnati Event May 10, 2026May 10, 2026Cincinnati, passports, vote

Cincinnati, April 25, 2026 — LULAC Cincinnati, in partnership with the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library and the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, hosted a highly successful Passport Community Access Day designed to help families obtain passports for travel and to prepare for the possibility that passports may be required for future voting identification.

The event, held at the Downtown Main Library, brought together a coalition of community partners who provided free, multilingual, and family‑friendly support. More than 70 individuals sought assistance throughout the day, and the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts successfully processed 66 passport applications on site.

Community Partners and Their Contributions

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
Provided five staff members who processed passport applications throughout the event.
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Hosted the event by providing the venue and one staff member dedicated to document copying and logistics.
Congressman Greg Landsman’s Office
Supplied snacks and refreshments and sent two staff members to assist families experiencing passport‑related issues.
Immigration and Refugee Law Center
Offered phone translation services for non‑Spanish languages and staffed a Know Your Rights information table.
Printologia
Delivered free document translation (Spanish to English), passport photos, and notarization services, removing financial barriers for families.
LULAC Cincinnati
Welcomed attendees at an information table, introduced community members to LULAC’s mission, and connected with prospective new members.

The event demonstrated the power of collaboration among civic, legal, and community organizations working together to expand access to essential documentation. For many families, the day provided not only practical support but also reassurance and empowerment in navigating government processes.

With strong turnout and overwhelmingly positive feedback, Passport Community Access Day highlighted the ongoing commitment of LULAC Cincinnati and its partners to ensuring equitable access to resources for immigrant, refugee, and Latino communities across Hamilton County.

Protect Your right to Vote

LULAC Cincinnati Event April 10, 2026April 21, 2026community, passports, vote

Register for free by clicking this link

LULAC Cincinnati Hosts Fireside Chat with Judge Marilyn Zayas for Women’s History Month

LULAC Cincinnati Event April 10, 2026April 10, 2026Cincinnati, civic, community

Cincinnati, March 28 — Community members gathered at Fueled Collective for a Women’s History Month fireside chat hosted by LULAC Cincinnati, where Judge Marilyn Zayas spoke to an energized, multigenerational audience about civic engagement, leadership, and the power of participation. The event drew attendees eager to hear her reflections and to take part in a conversation centered on empowerment and community involvement.

Throughout the evening, Judge Zayas emphasized the importance of individual voices in shaping the future, underscoring themes of belonging, representation, and civic responsibility. Attendees shared a meal, exchanged stories, and engaged in dialogue that highlighted resilience and collective purpose. The message resonated strongly: participation matters, and every vote carries weight in determining the direction of local and statewide communities.

Judge Zayas was raised in East Harlem, New York, as the daughter of Puerto Rican parents, she earned a degree in computer science before beginning her career at Procter & Gamble and moving to Cincinnati. She later pursued a law degree and spent two decades practicing law. In 2016, she was elected to the Ohio First District Court of Appeals, becoming the first Latina to serve on that bench. She was re‑elected in 2018 and 2024. Judge Zayas is currently campaigning for a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court.

The fireside chat concluded with a call to continued engagement, particularly among women in the community. Organizers noted that events like this are central to LULAC Cincinnati’s mission to inform, uplift, and mobilize local residents. Attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect, learn, and reflect together, reinforcing a shared commitment to moving forward collectively.

LULAC Cincinnati Hosts Mission Night to Inspire New Members and Community Advocacy

LULAC Cincinnati Event February 13, 2026February 18, 2026Cincinnati, civil rights, community, LULAC

CINCINNATI, OH – LULAC Cincinnati recently welcomed community members to a Mission Night held at Parisian on Vine Apartments, inviting residents and neighbors to learn more about the organization’s work and explore opportunities to get involved.

The event focused on LULAC’s mission of advancing civil rights and strengthening communities through advocacy in housing, health, education, and leadership development. Attendees heard how local action connects to national impact, and how everyday voices can help shape policies and programs that affect Latino families and underserved communities across the region.

Organizers emphasized that Mission Night was not only about sharing information, but also about building relationships and empowering new advocates. Guests were encouraged to bring friends, ask questions, and discover ways to contribute, whether through volunteering, community outreach, or policy advocacy.

“National impact. Local action,” was a central theme of the evening, underscoring LULAC’s belief that meaningful change begins at the community level.

LULAC Cincinnati continues to invite residents to join the movement, bring their voices, and help create stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods throughout Greater Cincinnati.

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