Hope is a powerful force that drives change, and together, we hold the tools to build a better future. While challenges may feel overwhelming, they are not insurmountable. Now is the time to act—not out of fear, but out of hope and the belief that our collective effort can spark meaningful transformation. Despair may whisper that our voices are small, but history has shown that unified movements can echo across generations. With this in mind, we are proud to launch the Protecting Our Immigrant Communities campaign, a rallying cry for all who envision a just and sustainable future for all of our comnmunities in the Commonwealth. Join us, take action, and let hope be the light that guides us forward.

The Protecting Our Immigrant Communities (POIC) campaign is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: all individuals, regardless of immigration status, deserve dignity, safety, and equal protection under the law. Through unity and collaboration, we will achieve this shared vision of justice for immigrants across Massachusetts. Together, we will defend immigrant rights, challenge discrimination, and secure a future where every community member is free from fear, exploitation, and abuse.

Core Legislative Priorities:

1. The Safe Communities Act (SCA)

The Safe Communities Act is essential legislation that ensures immigrants are treated fairly and justly in Massachusetts, protecting their rights and access to justice. Key provisions include:

• Protecting Immigrants from Unwarranted Immigration Inquiries
  No one should fear being questioned about their immigration status when seeking justice. The SCA prohibits police and court officials from inquiring about someone’s immigration status, ensuring that immigrants—whether they are workers, tenants, or survivors of domestic violence—can report crimes and seek help without fear of deportation.
• Safeguarding Rights during ICE Interrogations:
  ICE often targets individuals in jails and correctional facilities, including those who have not been convicted of any crime. The SCA requires written, informed consent before any ICE questioning. Immigrants will have the right to refuse such interviews or have legal representation present, preventing individuals from unknowingly signing away their rights or facilitating their own deportation.
• Access to Justice in Court
  The SCA will stop ICE from detaining individuals before they have their day in court. It ensures that police and court officials cannot initiate ICE contact about an individual’s release from custody, except when they have fully served their sentence. This is a fundamental protection that ensures justice for both victims and defendants in our legal system.
• Ending Costly, Harmful 287(g) Agreements
  Local law enforcement should not serve as federal immigration agents. The SCA prohibits 287(g) contracts, which deputize local officials to enforce federal immigration laws at taxpayer expense. These agreements undermine trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement and waste state resources.

2. Immigrant Legal Defense Act

Access to legal representation can make all the difference in deportation cases. Detained immigrants with a lawyer are 10 times more likely to win their case than those without. However, many immigrants face deportation proceedings without the support of an attorney. The Immigrant Legal Defense bill seeks to remedy this gap, ensuring fair and equitable legal representation for all immigrants in Massachusetts.

• Why It Matters:
  Despite the complexity of U.S. immigration laws, there is no right to a government-paid lawyer in immigration court. Many immigrants in deportation proceedings are forced to navigate this complex system without a lawyer, leaving them highly vulnerable to deportation.
• State Investment in Legal Services:
  This bill will secure state funding for legal services to represent immigrants who are at risk of deportation. Funds will be distributed through a single coordinator to ensure fair and efficient allocation.
• Widening Access to Justice:
  The funds will support both private attorneys and nonprofit legal providers, ensuring that immigrants in need of legal representation can access it for free, regardless of their income level. This is a critical step in addressing the uncertainty and fear caused by mass deportations.

Why We Need Your Support:

• The Fight is Now:
  As the threat of mass deportations looms larger, immigrant communities are facing unprecedented challenges. The Safe Communities Act will provide crucial protections against deportation and other immigration-related harms, while funding for legal services will ensure that those at risk of deportation have access to the legal support they desperately need.
• Unity is Our Strength:
  This campaign isn’t just about passing laws—it’s about building solidarity and a united front across Massachusetts. Immigrant rights are human rights, and when we stand together, we can ensure that every immigrant has the opportunity to thrive without fear.
• A Call to Action:
  The work ahead requires strong legislative advocacy, community engagement, and active coalition-building. Together, we can push for the passage of these critical bills, protect the rights of our immigrant neighbors, and defend the values of fairness and justice that define Massachusetts.

How You can Get Involved:

• Sign MIRA’s Petition for the advancement of the rights and inclusion of all immigrants and refugees in the Commonwealth. You can sign the Petition here
• To win this fight, your state legislator will need to hear from you. Stay tuned for Action Alerts in upcoming bulletins. You can sign up for MIRA’s email bulletin here
• Join us to show your support January 29th at noon in front of the State House