The annual state budget is the lifeline for state and local programs and services that benefit all communities—including our Commonwealth’s many immigrant communities. The Governor’s release of her proposed FY27 budget bill on January 28th signaled the official start of budget season at the Massachusetts State House. We are grateful to the Governor for her continued support for legal and other services for immigrants, and will advocate for a final budget that includes robust support for them!
MIRA Coalition is focused on two funding requests for FY27:
- $15M for Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) for deportation defense. Now in its historic first year, MACI provides legal representation to low-income Massachusetts immigrants facing deportation. There is no right to legal representation in immigration court, so immigrants who cannot afford an attorney must navigate these complex proceedings alone, with little chance of success. In Massachusetts, 55% of immigrants with pending deportation cases do not have an attorney. Since its launch in November, MACI has already secured legal representation for over 250 immigrants.
- $2M for the Citizenship for New Americans Program (CNAP). U.S. citizenship is the strongest protection against deportation and family separation. In 2025, demand for citizenship services rose by 30%. CNAP funds community-based citizenship programs across the state that help green card holders apply for U.S. citizenship, offering application assistance, legal guidance, and outreach to low-income immigrants who are unable to hire a private attorney.
The House and Senate will debate and pass their own proposed budgets in April and May, respectively, and the two chambers must negotiate and pass a final budget bill by early July.
Stay tuned for updates and ways to support MIRA budget initiatives!