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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 Updates – 9/26/25

Policy Updates

On September 18, the administration announced major changes to the naturalization exam. The current exam consists of 100 possible questions, of which the applicant will be asked 10 and must get 6 correct in order to pass. The new test, which will apply to applications filed on or after October 20th, will have 128 possible … Continued

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

Good News – 9/26/25

Good News

IN THE COURTS On September 18, The judge in State of California v. United States Department of Agriculture issued a temporary restraining order to stop USDA from taking any further steps to demand SNAP recipient’s personal data or impose fiscal penalties on the 20 states and DC that are parties in the lawsuit.  In addition, … Continued

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

Good News – 9/18/2025

Good News

IN THE COURTS Judge blocks a Trump policy cutting off some social services for immigrants in the US illegally A federal judge has blocked Trump administration restrictions on federally-funded services for immigrants in the country illegally, including the federal preschool program Head Start, health clinics and adult education.The preliminary ruling by Hon. Mary McElroy was … Continued

National Citizenship Day – September 17th

Blog

September 17th is National Citizenship Day. As we celebrate new Americans who have taken the step to become U.S citizens, we fully acknowledge the massive threats and fears facing immigrant communities across the nation, which makes obtaining U.S. citizenship increasingly challenging. With rapidly changing policies and the ongoing attacks on immigrants by the Trump administration, … Continued

State Legislators Must Take Action on Immigration: Pass the Safe Communities Act

Blog

Tell your state legislators where you stand—email them today. Takes less than 60 seconds! State Legislators Must Take Action on Immigration For eight years, Massachusetts lawmakers have had a chance to pass the Safe Communities Act. Eight years. Since the Trump administration rolled out its first wave of anti-immigrant policies in 2017, this bill has … Continued

Policy Update: Expedited Removal Temporarily Blocked 9/8/25

Policy Updates

On August 29th, a federal judge temporarily blocked the expedited removal of those who entered the country under parole.Under immigration law, expedited removal allows the government to deport those who entered without inspection within the previous 2 years. However the law also specifically excludes those who have been paroled into the country from being subject … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

MIRA Coalition Condemns Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Boston’s Trust Act

News

BOSTON, MA – In response to the Trump administration’s lawsuit against Boston’s Trust Act, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, issued the following statement: “Boston’s Trust Act has not just kept the city safe, but has created an environment where law enforcement officials and Boston’s immigrant communities have … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 9/4/25

Policy Updates

A federal judge in California ruled on Tuesday that the Trump Administration “willfully” broke the law by deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles in June following protests against heavy-handed immigration enforcement tactics. The judge found that the deployment was in violation of federal law, which bars the use of the military for the enforcement … Continued