Migration is an act of courage and love. Some people want Ohio and this country to be narrow and exclusive, denying this basic human reality. They have been trying to thrust Black Mauritanians into a national anti-immigrant conversation. But at the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, we say #OHNoYouDont.

Here are a few facts about Black Mauritanians:

Black Mauritanians have chosen Ohio to be their home for decades. The first group came in the 2000s seeking safety from slavery and genocide. The newest group is here seeking freedom from slavery and apartheid, including death and erasure of their languages and citizenship. Read more about Black Mauritanians’ reasons for leaving Mauritania here.

The established community of Black Mauritanians has been opening their doors to the newest arrivals, and helping them get settled, for years. They’re taking them to English classes, connecting them to immigration help and jobs, and teaching them how to build a good life in the United States. Read more about the community reception here.

The people coming from Mauritania, Senegal, and other countries bring with them existing skills and, most importantly, the drive to succeed. They have survived apartheid and a difficult journey here — because the U.S. government doesn’t give them visas in advance so that they can come without a difficult journey. Despite all of the traumas they are processing, they are becoming engaged in their new communities. Read more about their drive to succeed here.

Migration is as old as time; it’s a basic part of being human. People migrate to places where they have connections and can find opportunities. Ohio has both. Many Ohioans feel proud that Black Mauritanians are choosing to start new lives here. Learn about a program to help people learn how to service bikes and navigate their communities, here.

The key to further advancement is access to work permits and permanent immigration status. With a government-issued work permit, people can get driver’s licenses, build a credit history, rent their own apartments, and continue their path to becoming established and secure in their new home. Read how the immigration boom is becoming an economic boon for Ohio here.

Many Mauritanian elders who came here twenty years ago are now U.S. citizens, but others were shunned by racist immigration policies. Others were denied asylum due to deliberately dysfunctional immigration courts. Many were deported after building their lives here for decades, during the Trump administration. See why we need the Executive Branch and Congress to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Mauritania, bring people who were deported home, and reform the failed immigration courts.

Black Mauritanians Ohio are beloved community members. Their presence has been honored by the City of Columbus, which designated October 28 to be a city-wide Mauritania Day. They are part of an African-origin diaspora making huge contributions to Ohio, from the state’s official New African Immigrants Commission to Haitian-Ohioans who have been helping to revitalize Springfield and other parts of Ohio, despite racist lies to the contrary. Read and listen to our demographic report about Black immigrant in Ohio.

Check out the latest What’s Good Ohio? podcast episode, from Ohio Voice, featuring Sophia Pierrelus and OHIA’s Lynn Tramonte.

Said Demba Ndiath, Advocacy Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance (OHIA), “It’s amazing to see how we’ve contributed to the cultural life and economy of Columbus. For example, checkout Sido, Madina Market, Chez Rama, all these businesses that have been created over the years here and are hiring many people, not only people from our community. We’ve also got a car dealership, a mechanic shop like Farba to repair cars, among other businesses that are now part of the economic fabric of this great city. It feels good to know that we are making a positive impact. We are a community that values hospitality and genuinely loves Ohio. Let’s continue to grow together and make Ohio a beautiful place — a better place for everyone.”