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Community Readiness in the Face of ICE Arrests

President Trump campaigned on a threat to deport one million immigrants from this country per year.  We saw an ongoing escalation of the numbers of immigrants targeted in Massachusetts throughout 2025 and continuing into early this year, but still well below deporting one million people.  However, this is beginning to change. Over this past year … Continued

Back to School: What Immigrant Families Should Know

As immigration enforcement increases across the country and protections such as Temporary Protected Status end for some countries, many immigrant families are living with fear and uncertainty. That fear is affecting whether some children make it to school. Recent data show that 17% of parents cited ICE activity near schools as a barrier to attendance. And that … Continued
Policy Update Federal

Policy Update – TSA Sharing Air Traveler Information (12/16/2025)

News Policy Updates

TSA Sharing Air Traveler Information The news media has reported that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is regularly providing lists of air travel passengers to ICE. This includes information about individuals traveling on domestic flights inside the United States. ICE reviews the lists to identify individuals with final deportation orders or who it believes are … Continued

International Human Rights Day: Recognizing the Pattern of Racist Exclusion

​​International Human Rights Day: Recognizing the Pattern of Racist Exclusion

Blog

December 10 marked International Human Rights Day, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It’s a day meant to celebrate the fundamental dignity and rights belonging to every person. Instead, we mark it amid what Amnesty International has called a “global human rights crisis” accelerated by the Trump administration’s policies—policies … Continued

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

Good News – 12/11/25

Good News

IN THE COMMUNITY Bostonians of the Year 2025: First responders, university presidents, and others who exemplified courage Speaking up with the world’s eyes upon them. Rushing into a burning building. Standing firm when others folded. In choosing the difficult path, they showed us what strength looks like. – Boston Globe Massachusetts Church’s ‘ICE Was Here’ … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 12/10/25

Policy Updates

Resistance to the administration’s Proposed Public Charge rule continues to gather steam as nearly 400 individuals and organizations have already submitted public comments. While this is a strong start, it is a far cry from the opposition that organizers mobilized against changes to public charge during the last Trump Administration. We encourage everyone to make … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Changes to Work Permits – 12/4/2025

News Policy Updates

Changes to Work Permits Immigration has announced that starting today it is shortening the validity of certain work permits. The changes will affect any pending applications for new or renewal of work permits, but will not affect work permits that have already been issued. Under the policy: Work permits will be valid for 18 months … Continued

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

Good News – 12/4/25

Good News

IN THE COURTS MIRA Coalition, ACLU of Massachusetts Lead 17 Groups Filing  Brief Supporting Boston Trust Act The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), together with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (ACLUM), today filed an amicus brief on behalf of more than a dozen organizations in federal court to express support for … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 12/4/25

Policy Updates

President Trump has renewed his wildly racist attacks on Black immigrant populations, this time targeting Minnesota’s Somali population. This latest string of attacks are reminiscent of his attacks on Haitian immigrants in Ohio during the campaign and are similarly based on unfounded accusations in right-wing media. This time, instead of eating dogs, the community is … Continued

A Powerful Day on Beacon Hill: Community, Courage, and a Call for Action

A Powerful Day on Beacon Hill: Community, Courage, and a Call for Action

Blog

On Tuesday, November 25th, hundreds of advocates, community leaders, and impacted residents filled the Massachusetts State House for a day that showcased the strength, unity, and clarity of purpose behind the Protecting Massachusetts Communities (PMC) campaign. From an energizing pre-hearing rally to two packed public hearings, Massachusetts sent a powerful message: our communities are united … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Statement: MIRA Coalition Condemns President Trump’s Halt to Immigration Cases 

News

BOSTON, MA – In response to President Trump halting all immigration applications from 19 countries, The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) Executive Director Elizabeth Sweet, issued the following statement: “Halting immigration cases from 19 countries and requiring a re-review of all individuals is not only discriminatory and inhumane, it is an attack on our legal immigration system which will … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Pause in Asylum Decisions – 12/2/2025

News Policy Updates

Pause in Asylum Decisions On November 28, immigration announced that they were pausing all decisions on asylum cases pending before a USCIS Asylum Office. This means that during the pause, the Asylum Office will not be entering any grants or denials of asylum. Asylum interviews will continue to take place and be scheduled. This pause … Continued