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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

The Impact of ICE Enforcement on Massachusetts Communities

How ICE enforcement operations have detrimentally affected our communities ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) enforcement operations under the second term of the Trump administration have detrimentally affected our communities, and the harm impacts everyone: citizens and lawful permanent residents as well as undocumented individuals across the United States.  For nearly two years, we have watched … Continued

Cut Off From Care 

Thousands of Massachusetts Immigrants Lose Health Coverage Under New Federal Law Contributed by MIRA’s Access and Resources Specialist Catherine Ramirez Mejia On July 4, 2025, Congress passed the HR1 (referred to by the Trump administration as “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3)”), introducing sweeping cuts to federal healthcare programs. Some restrictions, such as those on … Continued

Protecting Our Immigrant Communities Campaign Launch!

It’s official! On Wednesday, MIRA Coalition members, state legislators, and allied organizations and immigrant community members rallied on the State House steps for a press conference launching the Protecting Our Immigrant Communities campaign, and pressed for state action on proposed legislation that would defend immigrant communities from federal overreach. Headlined by lead sponsors of the … Continued

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday January 20 we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Did you know that the Civil Rights Act also included equity for Immigrants? In 1963, Martin Luther King and other civil rights groups organized the ‘March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,’ which attracted over 250,000 people to rally for … Continued

Korean American Day: Celebrating Culture and Heritage

Every January 13th, Korean American Day honors the rich heritage and contributions of Korean Americans to the United States. This date marks the arrival of the first Korean immigrants in 1903, when 102 pioneers landed in Hawaii to work on sugar plantations. A century later, the occasion was first officially observed in 2003, and in … Continued

MIRA 2024 – Year In Review

What an amazing year!  In 2024  MIRA launched our Advisory Committee, added several new board members, and welcomed quite a few new additions to the team: Daisy Guzman – Director of Development • AC Chavez Andonie – Corporate Engagement Specialist • Catherine Kannam – IAS Staff Attorney  • Slandy Sannon – IAS Program Coordinator • … Continued

It’s Time to Get in Formation! contributed by Farah Jeune, MIRA’s Communications Specialist

Last week, our staff had the wonderful opportunity to attend the annual National Immigrant Inclusion Conference (NIIC). Created by the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), NIIC is the nation’s largest gathering of diverse leaders, advocates and supporters working on behalf of our country’s immigrants and refugees. Launched in 2008, NIIC draws over 1,000 allies … Continued

Q&A: SHNS Talks With MIRA Coalition’s Elizabeth Sweet

As Massachusetts gears up for a second Donald Trump administration, advocates and officials are preparing for the statewide impacts of potential federal changes to the immigration system. Someone at the helm of that work is Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition. MIRA serves as a membership coalition of more … Continued

Featured MIRA Member Organization: SUUYT – Shut Up Until You There

SUUYT is dedicated to empowering individuals holistically. Their mission is to guide individuals toward thriving, recognizing that every journey is unique. They prioritize mental health, foster community connections, offer personalized assistance, and harness the power of mentorship to unlock potential. Website: www.suuyt.org Contact Information: Email: rdjema@suuyt.org Phone: 781-888-1548 Programs Offered: Mental Health Support: Provided through … Continued

MIRA Coalition: Here and Ready

In the days following the election, many of us at MIRA Coalition were feeling challenged.  Some of us were afraid for ourselves and our families.  Some of us worried about the workload ahead to speak up for immigrant rights under an administration hostile to immigrants.  Some of us felt simply overwhelmed at how to start … Continued

MIRA wraps up 35 TPS clinics in 50 days!

MIRA, in partnership with the Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI), hosted a series of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) clinics across Massachusetts from September 30 to November 22, 2024. This large-scale collaborative effort, involving ORI, IFSI-USA, and numerous community-based organizations, successfully assisted over 3,200 individuals in applying for TPS. TPS is a humanitarian program that … Continued