Welcome our new Executive Director! We are thrilled to introduce Vanessa Marie Ponce, the new Executive Director of the Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network (BIIN). With an unwavering commitment to social justice and community advocacy, Vanessa Read more…
As we bid farewell to Freddy Nieto and Azuzena Mondragon, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for their extraordinary contributions to BIIN over the past two years.
Kendra Scott Profit Share Join BIIN for a profit share this Friday at Kendra Scott in College Station! A portion of all sales will support BIIN! Don’t forget to mention us at Checkout! 166 Century Read more…
Our friends at Aggie Originals are hosting PAINT-A-PALOOZA, a non-profit event in which all proceeds will be donated to the Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network! PAINT-A-PALOOZA will take place on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Aggie Park! Tickets are available for purchase.
Update! Thanks to your contributions, BIIN earned $8,855! How amazing! A special thanks to our matching donor, Laura Leon Law Firm.
Singo Night / Noche de Singo Are you a university student or a BIIN student/client? Use promo code “Student” for 50% off! ¿Eres estudiante universitario o estudiante/cliente de BIIN? Utilice el código promocional “Estudiante” para Read more…
ESL and Citizenship Classes Return! The Fall Semester is here! Students can register through our online form, in-person at our office, or over the phone (979-393-8228). If you know anyone interested in our FREE classes, Read more…
Help Restock our Classrooms! As the new semester of classes approaches BIIN, we need help restocking our classrooms! If you or someone you know wants to donate classroom supplies, please email us at info@brazosimmigration.com or Read more…
Jeremy Dudo, ESL Coordinator Written by Lizbeth Galindo Meet Jeremy Dudo, our dedicated ESL coordinator and teacher who has worked for our organization for several years. Throughout his time here, he has had a positive Read more…
Carolyn Parsons, ESL Volunteer Written by Ana Gou Carolyn Parsons is a volunteer who has worked with BIIN since Spring 2024. She assists with the English Second Language (ESL) courses in the morning where she Read more…
Intern Highlights: Ushan and Hannah Written by Skylar Perez Meet Ushan Perera! He is a current senior at Texas A&M University, majoring in Hospitality, Hotel Management, and Tourism Science. In addition to his professional and Read more…
Thank you and Farewell to Ana-Luisa Ortiz A Year in Review As Ana-Luisa Ortiz prepares to step down from her role as the director of BIIN in August, reflecting on her tenure unveils a transformative Read more…
A Letter from our Director Dear Friends, On behalf of everyone at BIIN, we would like to wish you a wonderful 4th of July and invite you to support our mission and work through our Read more…
Summer Backpack Program This summer, BIIN (Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network) is partnering with the Brazos Valley Food Bank to help children in need of food during the summer. The Summer Food Distribution program organized by Read more…
Community Connection and Support Highlighted at Annual Summer Park Day The Summer Park Day at Sue Haswell Park, an eagerly anticipated annual event organized by The Bridge Ministries, took place on May 31st for the Read more…
Faces of BIIN: Rob Johnson, ESL Volunteer Rob Johnson and his wife, Mary Rob Johnson is a dedicated volunteer who assists the morning English Second Language (ESL) courses. Volunteers in the ESL courses typically assist Read more…
Día de los Niños Written by Galia, the daughter of our amazing BIIN Director with the help of our wonderful ESL Admin Bryson Rubendall: On Sunday April 28th, BIIN went to Día de los niños Read more…
Faces of BIIN: Guillermo Vazquez Guillermo Vazquez was one of the volunteer teachers who taught ESL in the afternoons. Three days a week he taught the Beginner’s ESL class while finishing a PhD in material Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Brandon Gomez Born a U.S. citizen, Brandon was only three years old when his family decided to move back to Mexico out of necessity to take care of his grandparents. As a result, Read more…
Immigrant Story: Braulio Cervantes Paz Braulio Cervantes Paz was born in Celaya Guanajuato, Mexico. He is currently forty-two years old. His wife is also from Celaya, and his son was born in San Luis Potosi. Read more…
ESL Teacher: Heather Quintana Heather Quintana, one of our Level 1 ESL Teachers at BIIN, is a full-time student at Texas A&M University, studying international politics with minors in sociology and economics. Heather also works Read more…
HealthPoint: BIIN Receives Computers Throughout the years BIIN has been supported by many organizations. One of these wonderful organizations is HealthPoint. HealthPoint is a clinic that serves the Brazos County community. The manager of outreach Read more…
Looking for Summer 2024 Interns! Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network seeks unpaid interns each semester to help us run our programs. We are a local nonprofit with a mission to promote the human dignity and well-being of Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Juan Moises Soc Tajiboy Juan Moises Soc Tajiboy was born in Guatemala, but moved to College Station about 17 years ago when he was about eight years old. Juan’s life in Guatemala was Read more…
Community Informational Meeting about SB4 On Saturday March 23rd, Santa Teresa Catholic Church in Bryan held an informational meeting for the community regarding the potential Texas State Law SB4. The meeting for the community was Read more…
ComUnidad with BIIN From our Outreach team: Hello again to everyone! We at BIIN have been incredibly busy during March ensuring that we continue to be an organization with a strong presence within the community. Read more…
Viviana Castillo: It’s Never Goodbye When I first joined BIIN in 2022 as an Americorp member I was asked why I applied and why the role was important to me. In that moment, I was an Read more…
Faces of BIIN: Melanie Noyola At BIIN, we consistently highlight the interns who form part of the BIIN team. Our interns are integral to helping us reach our goals, complete our projects, and share our Read more…
IRA Program Welcomes Three Returning Interns A vital aspect of BIIN, are the interns and volunteers who dedicate their time to help us fulfill our mission. Every semester IRA welcomes a set of two interns Read more…
ESL and Citizenship Check-in Spring 2024 approached BIIN extremely quickly! Thankfully with the help from our Director (Ana-Luisa) Americorp Volunteers and many other community Volunteers we have been able to start Our ESL and Citizenship Read more…
Outreach with Brazos Mobile Food Pantry! Brazos Interfaith Immigration Networks Americorp coordinators had the opportunity to volunteer at the Brazos Mobile Food Pantry on January 27th, 2024. This opportunity arose after the Americorp coordinator’s decision Read more…
Looking for Spring 2024 Interns Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network seeks unpaid interns each semester to help us run our programs. We are a local nonprofit with a mission to promote the human dignity and well-being of Read more…
A Letter from the IRA Coordinator As I reflect upon the past semester serving as the Information, Referral, and Assistance Coordinator, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and awe at the impact we’ve achieved within our Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Piña Flores Alondra Piña Flores left her home state of Guanajuato, Mexico and has been living in Texas since June of 2021. Life for Alondra in Guanajuato was very traditional and comfortable, she Read more…
End of Year Programs As we approach the end of the year we would like to reflect on the year that has passed a year of many changes for our organization. We end the year Read more…
Giving Tuesday 2023 Success! Giving Tuesday is a national day of Giving. This year, on November 28th, two anonymous donors gave a $1,400 matching grant. The people of Brazos Valley quickly accepted the challenge, meeting Read more…
Meet Aaron Ackerman: Immigration Lawyer, Longtime Volunteer, and Paralegal Trainer Situated in Houston, Aaron Ackerman leads a virtual law office, redefining legal services for clients by adopting an innovative approach. The office operates without a Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Micaela Cervantes Micaela Cervantes was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and moved to Bryan, Texas 23 years ago. Life in Mexico was good for Micaela since she was always surrounded by loved ones, although Read more…
Highlight: ESL and Citizenship Interns As we approach the end of the year at BIIN we can’t let the work of our interns and volunteers go unnoticed. Semester after semester BIIN functions with the selfless Read more…
Texas Bar Foundation Grant Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $25 million in grants to law-related programs, and has a long history of supporting organizations and initiatives that Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Esmeralda Cubillos Meet Esmerelda Cubillos. She was born and raised in Mexico. Here, her life consisted of spending time with her family and going to school. Three months ago, she made the move Read more…
Azuzena, our new IRA Coordinator As BIIN grows in community outreach and involvement, BIIN has also grown with new program management. Azuzena Mondragon is one of the newly appointed, serving as the new IRA coordinator Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Luan Felipe Oliveira Meet Luan Felipe Oliveira, a native of Americana, Brazil, whose journey has taken him to various corners of his home country, including Campinas. In fact, it was in Campinas University Read more…
Outreach at BIIN! Just as football season has begun at A&M this semester, so has Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network’s participation and development in events. At the helm of the wheel is the new outreach coordinator, Read more…
Update on our ESL and Citizenship Classes ESL We have hit the end of September and with that a new beginning to two of our main programs, ESL and Citizenship classes. Mid September BIIN held Read more…
9 Families lose home to fire- you can help! On August 29th, 9 families lost their homes to a fire at 3130 Apartments, Bryan, TX. As a community, we need to band together to help Read more…
BIIN and Santa Teresa Co-Host DACA Renewal Clinic Nancy Plankey-Videla doing intake at the DACA Clinic held at Santa Teresa Parish. Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network offers a wide range of free services to its immigrant Read more…
Solidario: A Highlight on Tony Caraballo A familiar face to BIIN and a distinct voice to locals. Almost every Saturday between the hours of 2 p.m – 4 p.m. A man with the name tag Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Luz Suarez Meet Luz Suarez. The third of a family of six siblings, she was born in Peru, and her childhood went through ups and downs due to the fluctuations of the mining Read more…
Save the Date: Free DACA Renewal Clinic BIIN and the Santa Teresa Catholic Parish is hosting a free DACA renewal clinic! Attorney Mark Kinzler will be onsite to help you with your renewal! To make Read more…
Good Luck to Our Graduating Interns Another one of our interns graduated this semester, and we would like to highlight his experience at BIIN. Originally from Dallas, TX, Jonathan Cortez dedicated his time and efforts Read more…
The Dignity Act of 2023 Maria Elvira Salazar (left) and Veronica Escobar [image from Roll Call]. Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) introduced a new bipartisan bill on May 23, 2023, that Read more…
BIIN Year Review FALL 2022 As BIIN wraps up this past academic year, there are some updates and accomplishments we had throughout the year we would like to share. After a few years of the Read more…
Introducing BIIN’s New Director, Ana-Luisa Ortiz Ana-Luisa Ortiz BIIN relies on the skills and contributions of a diverse group of individuals including employees, board members, volunteers, donors, community partners, and clients to achieve its mission. Read more…
Gardening Event What is BIIN? BIIN stands for Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network, where our mission is to promote the human dignity and well-being of all immigrants in our community while advocating for and facilitating better Read more…
Good Luck to Our Graduating Interns At BIIN, we have a saying, which is, “BIIN interns are different from others, BIIN interns stay.” This was the case for one of BIIN’s 2022 ESL interns, Alyssa Read more…
Know Your Rights Workshop Conozca sus Derechos Taller Date: Thursday, July 6th Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm Location: BIIN, 2500 South College Ave Bryan, TX 77801 Description: This presentation is to inform you of the rights we have as Read more…
Immigrants and Mental Health At BIIN, we strive to serve the immigrant community. Mental health challenges are often overlooked in immigrant communities and have hindering effects on individuals as well as their children. One of Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Bernardino Najera Bernardino “Berna” Najera is from San Luis Potosi, Mexico where he worked in agriculture, growing onions and tomatoes in his garden. Bernardino completed an Agriculture degree at Universidad Autonoma De San Read more…
Volunteer Spotlight: Christopher Bui This month BIIN felt that a spotlight needed to be shined on our volunteers who everyday are the first point of contact for our students when they are in class. For Read more…
Interns reflect on their time at BIIN As the Spring semester of 2023 comes to an end, our interns are also coming to their final days and weeks at BIIN. We asked the interns for Read more…
Volunteer Spotlight: Angela Rios One of the most important parts of BIIN’s IRA program are the clinics. Every Saturday from 2-4 PM BIIN opens its doors for people who might need help from our Information, Read more…
Volunteer Spotlight: Dipesh Balakrishnan This month we would like to showcase our volunteers here at BIIN. One consistent volunteer for English classes is Dipesh Balakrishnan. Dipesh Balakrishnan shared some of his personal life and gave Read more…
An English Class Event: Promoting Resources The ESL program at BIIN is the largest program, serving more than 70 students each week. English classes are a safe space where the community can gather and share Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Alejandro Vasquez Alejandro Vasquez with his diploma in Bachelor’s Administration. Meet Alejandro Vazquez, the second oldest in a family of four. He was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico where he lived most Read more…
Brazos County Nonprofit Mixer The Brazos County Nonprofit Mixer was an event hosted by the First Baptist Bryan Outreach Team for many of the nonprofits in the community to come table in hopes of sharing Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Rocio Mosqueda Rocio and her family enjoying the Christmas season. Rocio Mosqueda was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, but moved early on in her childhood to Queretaro, Mexico where she was raised for the Read more…
First Friday: February 3, 2023 February is the month that kickstarted Outreach Events for the semester. In this month we have begun to plan Sip & Learns, First Fridays and reaching out to many organizations Read more…
BIIN at the Public Service Networking Mixer event This time, Grace Graham and Nena Walton, our outreach interns, took the leadership role. Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network was one of the organizations participating in the Spring Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Zaily Mesa Zaily likes to spend time with her two children Meet Zaily Meza, known as “Zaelita” by friends and loved ones. Zaily and her family are from Honduras, and she looks back Read more…
Interns Spring 2023 Lead On From left to right: Freddy, José, Minha, Christian, Grace, Nena, and Alyssa at the Spring Intern Orientation. It’s a new year, and with that comes a new class of interns Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Yesdel Benitez Yesdel Benitez was born in a small town called San Nicolas in Cuba, where most of his family resides today. Growing up, Yesdel had a normal childhood surrounded by family and Read more…
BIIN’s AmeriCorps Members Lead On BIIN has traditionally operated with a small staff, including a rotating cast of unpaid interns, and long relied on volunteers to serve not only on its governing board but also Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Sanjuana Rodriguez Meet Sanjuana Rodriguez, or “Jenny” as her friends and family call her. Sanjuana was born and raised in Juarez, Mexico. Despite being surrounded by her family, friends, and the life she Read more…
BIINtern sequels: Gloria McIntush, teaching ESL As her final semester as an undergraduate at Texas A&M drew to a close, Gloria McIntush knew what awaited her: the many questions from well-meaning family and friends about Read more…
Introducing BIIN’s new Director, Vannessa Rivera To pursue its mission, BIIN relies on the skills and gifts of many people: staff, board, volunteers, donors, community partners and clients. Having benefited for many years from the Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Elizabeth Monarrez Maria Elizabeth Monarrez was born in a little town in Durango, Mexico which is where most of her family still lives today. In Mexico, she had what she considered “a simple Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Juanita Garza Meet Juanita Garza. She is from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. After being raised in, getting married and starting a family in Nuevo Laredo, Juanita did not expect to come to the United Read more…
Shared stories: colleagues reflect on overlapping periods of service to BIIN You know the lyrics, “There is a season, turn, turn, turn…” BIIN is turning a page this season, and as the organization adapts to Read more…
A tribute to Jaimi Washburn, BIIN Director Extraordinaire Non-profit organizations rely on the involvement, support and leadership of many people. But when someone who has served the organization in a key role for many years Read more…
New Intern Position: Case Management Assistant The IRA team is looking for a case management assistant. Check out the job description here. If you have questions, please email Tania Barrios, tania@brazosimmigration.com.
Immigrant Stories: Yazmín García Meet Yazmín García, known by friends and family as Yaz. She and her family are from Monterrey, Mexico, where she worked as a chemist in a food lab for seven years Read more…
New BIIN Board Assumes Leadership Members of the 2022-23 BIIN Board of Directors gather in September 2022. From left to right: Susan Dennis, Angela Rios, Judith Briseno, Maria Martinez, Nancy Plankey-Videla, Michelle Esparza, and Tere Read more…
Transitions: BIIN’s Staff for Fall 2022 BIIN Director Jaimi Washburn consults with colleagues Janet Morford and Adriana Stowe, and board chair Amy Klinkovsky, in September 2021. At the start of every semester, BIIN welcomes new Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Joel Nava Joel Nava, who was born in 1959 in Mexico City, Mexico, grew up in a big family with 10 siblings. Joel attended the Instituto Politecnico Nacional, where he earned a degree Read more…
Congratulations to Angela Suarez, U.S. Citizen! Angela Suarez had given up much to move to the United States in 2014. As a young educated professional in her native Colombia, she had a thriving practice as Read more…
BIIN and Santa Teresa Catholic Church Co-host Guatemalan Mobile Consulate BIIN and Santa Teresa Catholic Church have a long history of cooperation, as both are deeply committed to serving immigrants across the Brazos Valley. In Read more…
¿Tiene una cita con el consulado móvil en Bryan? Aquí tiene la información que necesita saber.
Faces of BIIN: Clotilde Pichon Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network was established in the fall of 2010 by a small circle of committed residents who saw the lack of resources available to immigrants in the Brazos Read more…
BIIN Helps Bring Guatemalan Mobile Consulate to Bryan Any person who lives outside of their country of origin may need the services of a consulate, an office with the authority to issue governmental identity cards, Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Nara Vera Nara (right) working with a fellow student to learn new vocabulary and the verb “to be” during an early summer 2022 Conversational English class at BIIN. Every Wednesday night, student Nara Read more…
New AmeriCorps Member Positions! We currently have two AmeriCorps member positions open. One is for our English classes and the other position is for the Information, Referral, and Assistance program. Check out the job descriptions to Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Isabel Noriega Meet Isabel Noriega. She has five children, one son and four daughters, all adults now. She and her family are from the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, where she worked for 20 Read more…
IRA Refers Newcomers to Needed Resources Moving to a new city is one of the most difficult things you can do, especially when you are on your own. Not knowing where the nearest grocery store Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Anarela Mitchell Meet Anarela Mitchell. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Anarela has been traveling back and forth for the last 30 years, but has been living in the United States for the past five Read more…
IRA Offers Assurances through Power of Attorney If you are anticipating being in a situation where you may not be able to act or make decisions on your own, you can establish what is called Read more…
BIINvestment: Renewed Community Support for BIIN! As a small non-profit organization, BIIN takes pride in being able to do a great deal on a fairly limited budget. Part of BIIN’s approach is to rely on Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Mariana Fierro Olivares Mariana Fierro Olivares was born and spent much of her early life in Mexico City. She enjoyed living there, and recalls walking on the main avenue in the city, going Read more…
BIINtern Sequels: José Morales, humanitarian aid In the summer of 2019, José Morales was half way through his junior year at Texas A&M. A sociology major from Victoria, Mexico, he knew he wanted to do Read more…
Q & A with Conversational English teacher, Julia Lynch BIIN is fortunate to have a strong corps of volunteers serving as English teachers this spring. One of them, Julia Lynch, has designed her class so Read more…
NEW Resource! College Guide for Undocumented High School Students in Texas Are you or someone you know thinking about college, but worried that being undocumented will make it hard to attend or afford college? Take Read more…
Conversational English teaching team springs forward Conversational English classes have been an important and increasingly popular part of BIIN’s programs for several years, even when they had to move online in response to the coronavirus Read more…
IRA gives guidance to vulnerable workers Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network received a call from an immigrant neighbor; he had been injured while he was working at his job. Due to his injury, he was demoted Read more…
Welcome to one of our newest citizens! BIIN celebrates every milestone, big or small, knowing that sometimes the biggest ones come in small packages. One such milestone happened on March 13, 2022, when Miguel Eduardo Read more…
Immigrant stories: Yris Rodriguez Originally from Venezuela, Yris Rodriguez came to the United States 6 years ago, more specifically, in September 2015. During those years, Venezuela had been going through political changes that caused social Read more…
IRA Provides Peace of Mind © Stacy Sodolak for The New York Times A woman who is not a U.S. citizen came to the IRA clinic held at Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network, to ask if Read more…
Immigrant stories: Alma Hernandez Before immigrating to the United States, Alma Hernandez lived in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. She remembers it as a place of limited opportunities. Not only was the city an unsafe place Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Nereida Lopez Nereida Lopez attended college in Mexico, but was unable to find work in her field. Like many people who have come to the U.S. in search of greater opportunities, Nereida quickly Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Maria Ruiz On November 16, 2021 Maria Ruiz successfully completed the most daunting and difficult part of the American citizenship process: the USCIS naturalization test. Fresh from passing her naturalization test, Maria was Read more…
Immigrant stories: Josefa Contreras Cuevas Josefa Contreras Cuevas is one of the students in the Level 2 Conversational English classes at BIIN, but her story is quite unique and sets her apart from other students. Read more…
El Maestro Receives “Remarkable” Recognition For many people across the Brazos Valley, BIIN is synonymous with “El Maestro,” its long-time volunteer and community advocate, José Antonio Caraballo. It is through Tony Caraballo’s work in many Read more…
Partner Spotlight: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Many of BIIN’s community partners over the years have been faith-based organizations. BIIN itself was created by people who had witnessed the frequency with which low-income immigrant neighbors appealed Read more…
Immigrant Stories: Rafael Sepulveda Rafael Sepulveda is one the faithful few that have been attending the level 3 conversational English classes at BIIN this fall, and his hard work and determination extend beyond the realm Read more…