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Author: Laura Perras

Featured Author: Laura Perras

Policy Updates – 10/22/2026

DHS indefinitely extended TPS for Ukraine and Sudan on Monday; those with protections will retain status for the time being. TPS for these countries was set to expire on October 19, but the agency declined to announce any decision on the future of over 100,000 people impacted, only saying that an announcement “will be made … Continued

Advancing Policy Solutions for Immigrant Mental Health

Immigrant and refugee families in Massachusetts are carrying an enormous weight. Increased enforcement, the loss of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many families, including many with children who are U.S. citizens, and constant federal policy shifts are taking a real toll on mental health. Meanwhile, people seeking help face long wait times, language gaps, insurance … Continued

TPS for Ukraine and Sudan still valid

TPS for Ukraine and Sudan still valid Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections are still in effect for TPS holders from Ukraine and Sudan. The TPS designation for Ukraine and Sudan was set to expire on October 19, 2026. However, the Trump Administration has not announced whether the designation will be terminated or extended. Until further … Continued
Hispanic Heritage Month: The Freedom We Carry Across Borders Contributed by Luciano Paskevicius, Family Advocate & Community Ambassador, Lowell Alliance

Hispanic Heritage Month: The Freedom We Carry Across Borders

MIRA Coalition Blog

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

POLICE ICE

Community Readiness in the Face of ICE Arrests

Blog MIRA Coalition Blog

President Trump campaigned on a threat to deport one million immigrants from this country per year.  We saw an ongoing escalation of the numbers of immigrants targeted in Massachusetts throughout 2025 and continuing into early this year, but still well below deporting one million people.  However, this is beginning to change. Over this past year … Continued

Back to School: What Immigrant Families Should Know

Blog MIRA Coalition Blog

As immigration enforcement increases across the country and protections such as Temporary Protected Status end for some countries, many immigrant families are living with fear and uncertainty. That fear is affecting whether some children make it to school. Recent data show that 17% of parents cited ICE activity near schools as a barrier to attendance. And that … Continued

Back To School Season Is Here – A Message from MIRA Coalition’s Access & Resource Specialist Catherine Ramirez Mejia, MPP

Blog MIRA Coalition Blog

  My youngest sister is returning to school this week to begin her senior year. It feels like yesterday she was beginning kindergarten. There’s a trend where seniors wear a backpack with the cartoon character from their childhood. She was trying to decide between a My Little Pony, Dora the Explorer, or Power Rangers backpack, … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates 8/21/2026

Policy Updates

USCIS released new guidance on what it means to be a Public Charge this week. The agency had previously issued a new rule that effectively removed existing regulations on how the agency would adjudicate the question, and advocates have been waiting for this new guidance to understand what new restrictions the administration would be placing … Continued

make a plan Vote for a better future

Make a Plan to Vote in the Massachusetts Primary Election

Blog

Voting is one of the most important ways we can make our voices heard and help shape the future of our communities. While presidential and other federal elections often receive the most attention, the decisions that affect our everyday lives are made at every level of government. Local and state leaders make decisions about our … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 8/14/2026

Policy Updates

DHS once against showed its propensity towards violence this week when ICE officers drew their weapons on a peaceful protestor. Following what would now seem to be standard operating procedure for the agency, DHS immediately accused Carolina Molina of “weaponizing her vehicle” during the incident in Northern Virginia on Monday. But as has repeatedly happened … Continued