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Federal housing benefits update

Federal housing benefits update The Trump Administration published a new rule restricting access to federal housing for immigrants. The rule is scheduled to take effect on December 14, but it is not in effect now and the law has not changed yet. The new federal rule would: Eliminate HUD rental assistance for mixed-status families if … Continued

Policy Updates – 11/13/2026

Following last week’s grave defeat at the polls where 60% of voters disapproved of the administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, President Trump briefly raised hopes in a “60 Minutes” that we could see a change in approach after saying that his deportation agenda has been “too tough” and opening up the possibility that he could work … Continued

The U.S. Is Deporting Its Own Veterans

They Served. Now They and Their Families Are Being Deported. This week, the country marked Veterans Day with parades, speeches, and thanks for those who served. But immigrant veterans who served this country are being arrested and deported, and so are the family members the military promised to protect. For more than a decade, the … Continued
Tell Your Legislators: Support the PROTECT Act!

Take Action Now – Pass the Protect Act

News

The human costs of the current administration’s mass deportation agenda continue to mount. 46 people have died in ICE custody since Trump took office, 17 from medical negligence. The administration has shifted tactics after the violence in Minneapolis – but deportations continue unabated – often with local help. ICE has secured 1,651 formal 287(g) agreements … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 3/12/2026

Policy Updates

On Friday, a federal appeals court affirmed a lower court ruling that the Trump Administration could not end TPS for the 350,000 Haitians living under the status in the US. The administration had appealed the early-February ruling, which had granted a last-minute reprieve to Haitians with TPS, to the US Court of Appeals in Washington, … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates 3/6/2026

Policy Updates

In late January, the State of Missouri sued the Department of Commerce arguing that temporary and undocumented residents should not be counted in the Decennial Census. The state is not only looking to change how the department collects information for the 2030 Census, but are also seeking that the nation redo the 2020 Census under … Continued

The Shield Act

Senator Ed Markey Introduces The Shield Act

Blog Policy Updates

On Friday, Senator Ed Markey introduced the Securing Help for Immigrants Through Education and Legal Development (SHIELD) Act of 2026. If enacted, this bill would help build critical infrastructure and capacity to expand the availability of legal services for those facing deportation by: Patricia Sobalvarro, the Executive Director of Agencia ALPHA, and Liz Sweet, MIRA’s … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

MIRA Coalition Praises Senator Markey’s SHIELD Act to Protect Immigrant Rights 

News

BOSTON, MA –  In response to Senator Edward J. Markey announcing the introduction of the Securing Help for Immigrants Through Education and Legal Development (SHIELD) Act, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, issued the following statement: “We know, and have consistently witnessed throughout this administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants, … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 2/19/2026

Policy Updates

The Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement tactics continue to face headwinds in federal courts. A recent Reuters review of court records shows that federal judges have ruled over 4,400 times against the illegal detention of immigrants just since October. Last week, a federal court blocked enforcement actions at certain houses of worship, including some in Massachusetts. … Continued