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

Good News – 4/25/2025

Good News

But first: This week’s installment of “To Immigrants With Love” A letter from the interactive exhibit that MIRA featured at Immigrants’ Day at the Statehouse. MIRA has received a large grant from World Education Services to fund implementation of the Physicians Pathway Act! This state policy was passed in November, and provides a pathway for … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Update – 4/17/2025

Policy Updates

Good news: CHNV parole remains valid! The Trump Administration had announced that individuals who entered under the CHNV parole program (also referred to as the “Biden program”) would lose protection and work authorization on April 24, 2025. A federal judge has put this on hold! This means that individuals who entered through CHNV and whose … Continued

A Betrayal of Trust: How the IRS-DHS Data Sharing Deal Threatens Immigrants and Massachusetts Tax Revenue

Blog

In a move that threatens both the economic stability of Massachusetts and the trust of immigrant communities, the federal government finalized a controversial agreement this month allowing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to share confidential taxpayer information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For decades, the IRS has assured taxpayers, both undocumented and those … Continued

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

Good News 4/17/2025 – CHNV parole remains valid!

Good News

But first: This week’s installment of “To Immigrants With Love” A letter from the interactive exhibit that MIRA featured at Immigrants’ Day at the Statehouse. We leave you with this image: “Many hands make light work” Show upSpeak upTake care of yourself and others

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Press Statement 4/14/25 – Federal Funding for Citizenship Program Terminated

News

Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition announced that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had suddenly frozen $300,000 in funding for citizenship application assistance. While the MIRA Coalition was hopeful that USCIS would reinstate their funding, the federal agency recently notified the organization that the funding was officially cut. … Continued

Policy Update Non-Citizen Registry 4/11/25

Policy Update 4/11/2025 – Registration rule now in effect

Policy Updates

Read our explainer on Registration: what it is, who is already considered registered, and potential consequences of registering or failing to register. Español, Português, Kreyòl ayisyen Today, the Trump Administration’s “registration rule” takes effect. The rule requires noncitizens to to carry proof of registration with them at all times. Many noncitizens are already considered registered, including … Continued

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

Good News 4/10/25 – “Hands Off’ protests across the country and globe show the magnitude of our strength and resistance

Good News

But first: This week’s installment of “To Immigrants With Love” A letter from the interactive exhibit that MIRA featured at Immigrants’ Day at the Statehouse. Over 1,400 “Hands Off!” mass-action protests were held at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional offices, Social Security’s headquarters, parks and city halls throughout the entire country. Boston alone had almost … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Press Statement – MIRA’s response to the federal administration’s announcement that the IRS will be sharing sensitive information with DHS

News

Press Statement FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2025 Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition today issued the following statement condemning the Trump administration’s announcement that the Internal Revenue Service will share tax information of immigrants without status with the Department of Homeland Security.“Allowing the Department of Homeland Security … Continued

Policy Update CBP ONE Parole 4/8/25

Policy Update 4/8/25 – Termination of CBP One Parole

Policy Updates

Policy Update: Termination of CBP One Parole 4/8/25 Actualizacion Politica: Terminacion de la libertad condicional de CBP one 4/8/25 Aktyalizasyon Politik: Revokasyon Parole CBP One 4/8/2025 Atualização Política: Fim da liberdade condicional pelo CBP One app 4/8/2025