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Author: Laura Perras

Featured Author: Laura Perras

Policy Updates – 9/17/26

With the administration’s new Public Charge rule set to go into effect on September 18, 22 states filed suit in federal court earlier this week in order to stop the rule. In their complaint, the states argue that the new rule “removes any meaningful guidance” regarding what USCIS officers may consider and that the administration … Continued

Hispanic Heritage Month: The Freedom We Carry Across Borders

En español The Freedom We Carry Across Borders contributed by Luciano Paskevicius, Lowell Alliance When people speak about Hispanic Heritage Month, the conversation often turns to food, music, language, and traditions. Those things matter, but for me, heritage lives somewhere deeper. It lives in the values and political ideas we carry from one generation to … Continued
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Statement: MIRA Coalition Condemns President Trump’s Halt to Immigration Cases 

News

BOSTON, MA – In response to President Trump halting all immigration applications from 19 countries, The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) Executive Director Elizabeth Sweet, issued the following statement: “Halting immigration cases from 19 countries and requiring a re-review of all individuals is not only discriminatory and inhumane, it is an attack on our legal immigration system which will … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

MIRA Coalition, ACLU of Massachusetts Lead 17 Groups Filing  Brief Supporting Boston Trust Act

News

BOSTON, MA –  The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), together with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (ACLUM), today filed an amicus brief on behalf of more than a dozen organizations in federal court to express support for the Boston Trust Act, which is currently facing a legal challenge from the Trump administration. In September, the … Continued

Missing From The Table

Thanksgiving – Missing From The Table

Blog

As Americans across the country joined together with friends and family on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving, many realized that they had less to be thankful for than before. For many of us born and raised in the US, Thanksgiving has already become a complicated holiday as we reflect on the experiences of the Mashpee Wampanoag … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 11/25/2025

Policy Updates

Last week, the Trump Administration issued a new proposed rule regarding Public Charge, which could block many from access to a green card. Unlike the first Trump Administration, where they tried to significantly expand issues to be considered under a public charge test, this time the administration has just decided to get rid of the … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

NEWS ADVISORY:  Tuesday, 11/25: The Protecting Massachusetts Communities Campaign Holds Rally Urging Lawmakers to Defend Immigrant Rights                                                                      

News

Tuesday, 11/25: The Protecting Massachusetts Communities Campaign Holds Rally Urging Lawmakers to Defend Immigrant Rights Immigration Advocates, Labor Unions and Allies Across the State Gather to Advance Legislation to Shield Immigrants from Inhumane Enforcement Efforts Boston- The Protecting Massachusetts Communities (PMC) Campaign will gather Tuesday to urgently call on state leaders to pass legislation to defend immigrant … Continued

Good News (yellow sun coming out from behind grey cluds)

Good News – 11/20/2025

Good News

IN THE COURTS Text messages and a moved SUV: How the government’s case against a Chicago woman shot by a Border Patrol agent fell apart “It’s been hard,” she said. “I can’t sleep, but now I’m gonna go sleep.” A judge – after an extraordinary reversal by federal prosecutors – had just dismissed the charges … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 11/20/25

Policy Updates

On Wednesday, the Trump Administration returned to its assaults on vulnerable immigrants by proposing to revoke the Biden Administration’s Public Charge rule. As a refresher, the US has long required that immigrants not be primarily dependent on the government for subsistence and has used the public charge analysis to make this determination, usually when adjudicating … Continued

Good News (yellow sun coming out from behind grey cluds)

Good News – 11/12/2025

Good News

IN THE COURTS Federal judges reject ICE attempts to hold immigrants without bond Jose Andres Robles was denied a bond hearing and held for more than a month before a Minneapolis judge intervened. – Minnesota Star Tribune Judge Officially Declares Trump’s Top Immigration Goon a Liar In a humiliating courtroom defeat for the government—and setback … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 11/12/25

Policy Updates

While advocates wait for US Citizenship and Immigration Services to publish a new proposed rule on Public Charge, it would appear that the State Department has already issued guidance for their staff that would restrict visa issuance. The new guidance only applies to visas, both immigrant and non-immigrant, being processed at consular offices abroad, but … Continued