Buffalo's Newcomers

The Immigrant and Refugee Research Institute (IRRI) was established in 2014 to create and share practical knowledge on issues affecting immigrants and refugees. The IRRI aims to achieve this by providing a central hub for researchers, community leaders, and service providers through community-engaged and community-based research.

Drawing on our decade of work with immigrant—and particularly refugee—communities in Buffalo, this presentation will review the fundamentals of resettlement and integration, share key research insights, examine the significant policy shifts observed through 2025, and discuss their broader implications for our society.

About Wooksoo Kim
Dr. Wooksoo Kim is Professor and Director of the Immigrant and Refugee Research Institute (IRRI) at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. As a social work researcher, Dr. Wooksoo Kim seeks to enhance the well-being of immigrant and refugee communities in the U.S. She employs a community-based participatory research approach to better understand their needs and develop culturally appropriate interventions to meet them.