International Institute of St. Louis

Machado is the daughter of a former Venezuelan military intelligence director, Rafael Arturo Machado, who died in St. Louis in 2024 and was exiled from Venezuela several years ago.

The Department of Homeland Security posted a memo last week stating that it was pausing immigration applications and asylum decisions for any immigrants coming from 19 countries.

Despite federal budget cutbacks, the multicultural event returns Aug. 23-24 to Tower Grove Park.

Nonprofits like the International Institute are relying on funding from the Regional Arts Commission as federal cuts and declining corporate support hit their bottom lines.

The popular, multicultural festival will return to Tower Grove Park in St. Louis on Aug. 23-24.

Families in the St. Louis region needing nutritious meals can now choose from a variety of food items at the International Institute’s first food pantry. The partnership with Operation Food Search will help feed 40 families weekly.

Resettlement agencies and immigrant and refugee service providers in the St. Louis region have begun to scale back services for immigrants and refugees due to Trump’s executive order to pause federal funding.

The International Institute of St. Louis furloughed staff and paused preparations for its popular annual Festival of Nations because of uncertainty over federal funding under the Trump administration.

About 250 community members gathered in Chesterfield on Sunday to celebrate the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Arrey Obenson, former CEO and president of the International Institute of St. Louis, resigned because of misaligned visions and goals. He said the institute’s position as a service provider for immigrants and refugees should be widened.