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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

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

State Lawmakers, Advocates, and Internationally-Trained Physicians Celebrate New Law Addressing Massachusetts Physician Shortage

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BOSTON – State lawmakers joined immigration and healthcare advocates, as well as internationally-trained physicians, to celebrate the passage of a new law that will help the state address its severe physician shortage and empower immigrant physicians to put their knowledge and skills to use to serve the residents of the Commonwealth. “Expanding avenues for qualified … Continued

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

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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

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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!

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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

Victory for the Physicians Pathway Act!

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Thanks to your support, on Wednesday, November 20th, Governor Healey signed the Physician Pathway Act into law! Tucked inside the massive economic development bill enacted last week, the Physician Pathway Act will address acute physician shortages in underserved communities by mobilizing the expertise of our Commonwealth’s experienced internationally-trained physicians. The new law will create a … Continued