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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

MEDIA ADVISORY: Wednesday, 3/19: Impacted Immigrants, State Lawmakers, Advocates Join MIRA Coalition for 29th Annual Immigrants Day at the State House (Haitian Creole, Simplified Chinese Translations)

News

For Immediate Release March 13, 2025 BOSTON – Immigrants directly impacted by the Trump administration’s dangerous, xenophobic policies will join the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, state lawmakers, and  advocates to rally in support of immigrants at the 29th annual Immigrants Day at the State House event.   “We here in Massachusetts know that … Continued

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

Good News 3/13/25

Good News

Last week, Representative Sylvia Garcia re-introduced the Dream and Promise Act. This bill would provide a pathway to US citizenship for most DACA recipients, other DREAMers, and those on Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure. Various lawsuits against the administration’s xenophobic actions continue to make their way through the courts. Some recent updates include: … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Update: 3/13/2025

Policy Updates

On Wednesday, USCIS officially published it new regulations laying out the process for Registration. Immigrants who are not already registered are expected to make a myUSCIS account and fill out Form G-325R online. The will then be given an appointment for biometrics (fingerprints, photo, and signature) to complete the registration process. Registrants would then be … Continued

Legislators and Advocates push for the Language Access and Inclusion Act

In the wake of the federal English-only Executive Order, Massachusetts legislators and advocates call for state action

Blog

On Saturday, President Trump signed an Executive Order making English the official language of the United States, a first in our nation’s nearly 250 year history. The EO would theoretically allow government agencies and others who receive federal funding to choose whether or not to continue providing documents and services in languages other than English. … Continued

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

3/6/25 The Good News

Good News

Last week, Representative Sylvia Garcia re-introduced the Dream and Promise Act. This bill would provide a pathway to US citizenship for most DACA recipients, other DREAMers, and those on Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure. On March 5, mayors from Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York testified before the House Oversight Committee in a … Continued

Policy Update Federal

3/6/25 Policy Update

Policy Updates

Last Monday, USCIS launched a new webpage explaining “Alien Registration”, the first step in fulfilling the president’s order to register all non-citizens in the United States. This process is still in the early stages, and little is known outside of what is contained on the USCIS webpage, including how registration is expected to occur or … Continued

Thank you Mayor Wu

Congressional Hearing and Rally for Mayor Wu at City Hall

Blog

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu spent six hours yesterday testifying before the House Oversight Committee on the city’s Trust Act, which limits the city’s involvement in the enforcement of federal civil laws and helps to promote cooperation between police and the city’s diverse communities. Much of Wu’s testimony was devoted to pushing back on false and … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Press Statement: Researchers and Advocates Secure $350,000 Grant to Advance Pro-Immigrant Narrative Change, Improve Immigrant Well-Being Two-year narrative research program will help drive pro-immigrant policy reform

News

Press Statement FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 28, 2025 Researchers and Advocates Secure $350,000 Grant to Advance Pro-Immigrant Narrative Change, Improve Immigrant Well-Being Two-year narrative research program will help drive pro-immigrant policy reform Boston, MA – To promote positive, accurate stories about immigrants in Massachusetts, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has awarded a $350,000 grant to the … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Press statement: MIRA Coalition Condemns President Trump’s Planned National Language Executive Order (with links to Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Spanish translations)

News

PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release February 28, 2025 Boston, MA – In response to President Trump’s planned executive order making English the country’s national language and eliminating requirements that agencies and other recipients of federal funds offer language assistance to non-English speakers, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Press Statement: MIRA Coalition Condemns Trump Administration’s Planned Immigrant Registry (with links to Portuguese & Haitian Creole translations)

News

Boston, MA – This week the Trump administration announced their plan to require all immigrants without status over the age of 14 to register with the U.S. Government and provide fingerprints or risk criminal prosecution. In response, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, issued the following statement: “Forcing … Continued