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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
Honoring our AANHPI member organizations during AANHPI Heritage Month

Honoring our AANHPI member organizations during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Blog

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of AANHPI communities across the country. At MIRA, we are proud to stand alongside AANHPI-led and AANHPI-serving organizations who are doing essential work every day: providing services, building power, and fighting for the dignity … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 5/21/2026

Policy Updates

President Trump is now targeting immigrant access to banks through a new executive order. The order directs the Secretary of Treasury to issue new advisories and regulations dealing with the “risks” of lending to non-citizens, especially those without status. This is a slightly weaker policy than anticipated; previous news reports indicated that the administration would … Continued

Senate releases version of the PROTECT Act

Senate Releases Version of the PROTECT Act

Policy Updates

Last week, the Massachusetts Senate took a historic step by passing the PROTECT Act (S.3072) with a bipartisan vote of 37–3. Senators filed 76 amendments during debate, with 7 ultimately adopted into the final Senate version of the bill. The Senate bill includes a clear prohibition against any new 287(g) “collaboration” agreements with ICE, which … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 5/14/26

Policy Updates

The administration announced that David Venturella, a former executive at the GEO Group, will replace Todd Lyons as the acting head of ICE. Venturella left the GEO Group in 2023 and has recently been working at ICE overseeing detention contracts.  Relatedly, a recent analysis by Politico found that federal judges have ruled against mandatory detention … Continued

Immigrant-Owned Businesses Are Powering Massachusetts, And They Deserve Protection

Immigrant-Owned Businesses Are Powering  Massachusetts, And They Deserve Protection

Blog

Across Massachusetts, immigrant entrepreneurs are a driving force behind our economy. They open restaurants, launch biotech firms, and staff our hospitals. Immigrants anchor the small businesses that line our Main Streets. As our nation nears the 250 year-mark of American entrepreneurship, their contributions deserve both recognition and robust policy support. MIRA Coalition Executive Director Liz … Continued

Action Alert Support Immigrant Protections in the Annual State Budget

Action Alert – Support Immigrant Protections in the Annual State Budget!

News

  On May 5th, the Massachusetts Senate released its proposed FY27 annual budget for debate and passage later this month. Right now, state senators have made their budget priorities known to Senate leadership. Ask your state senators to vote in favor of MIRA’s FY27 Senate Budget Amendments that help protect immigrants against deportation: Amendment # … Continued

aim Associated Industries od Massachusetts 2026 Lewis Latimer Award MIRA Coalition For breaking barriers and creating economic opportunity. Presented by Associated Industries of Massachusetts

MIRA Awarded the 2026 Associated Industries of Massachusetts Lewis Latimer Award

Uncategorized

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition has been awarded the Lewis Latimer Award, honoring commitment to economic inclusion. The AIM Latimer Award is presented each year to a Massachusetts innovator, organization or business leader. “MIRA’s priority is to protect and advocate for the rights of immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts, which … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 5/7/26

Policy Updates

The administration’s assaults on residents with status continue as they delay employment authorization renewals for DACA recipients. Applicants, who have filed timely applications for renewal, are seeing processing times 5 times longer than last year. These processing delays mean that many are not receiving decisions in a timely manner, meaning they are being fired from … Continued

TPS Justice for All: MIRA joins hundreds of advocates in Washington, D.C.

TPS Justice for All: MIRA joins hundreds of advocates in Washington, D.C.

Blog

Last week MIRA staff joined a bus of passionate Massachusetts advocates to travel to Washington D.C. to support immigrant families affected by the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria. Organized by National TPS committee, the Massachusetts TPS committee and La Colaborativa, the 400+ mile journey was full of … Continued