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Policy Updates – 10/22/2026

DHS indefinitely extended TPS for Ukraine and Sudan on Monday; those with protections will retain status for the time being. TPS for these countries was set to expire on October 19, but the agency declined to announce any decision on the future of over 100,000 people impacted, only saying that an announcement “will be made … Continued

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

TPS for Ukraine and Sudan still valid

TPS for Ukraine and Sudan still valid Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections are still in effect for TPS holders from Ukraine and Sudan. The TPS designation for Ukraine and Sudan was set to expire on October 19, 2026. However, the Trump Administration has not announced whether the designation will be terminated or extended. Until further … Continued

STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Condemns Biden Administration Expansion of Title 42

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STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2022 Boston, MA – In response to the Biden Administration’s move to expand Title 42 restrictions to Venezuelan migrants, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition issued the following statement: “We are deeply disappointed by the Biden administration’s decision to expand the racist, … Continued

STATEMENT: Advocacy Groups Praise the Biden Administration for Protecting Access to Services for Immigrants

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BOSTON – Representatives from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), Health Care For All (HCFA), and Health Law Advocates (HLA) have come together to support the Biden Administration’s move to update the federal Public Charge rule, which will ensure that immigrants seeking green cards can access public benefits … Continued

STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Praises Biden Administration Action on DACA

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Boston, MA – In response to the Biden Administration‘s move to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition issued the following statement: “We are appreciative that the Biden administration is embracing and protecting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy by working to transform it into federal regulation. Transforming DACA into a federal regulation helps to protect the … Continued

Driving Families Forward Coalition leaders with legislative champions at historic signing ceremony for the Work and Family Mobility Act on June 13, 2022.

State Legislative Session Ends, with Victories and Advances for Immigrants and Refugees

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The state legislature gaveled out just after 10am Monday, effectively ending the two-year session. While we’re disappointed with legislative inaction on key bills, we celebrate the major victories that demonstrate the growing political power of immigrant communities on Beacon Hill. Here’s a roundup of this session’s legislative advances for the Commonwealth’s immigrants and refugees, brought … Continued

doctors in operating theater

How Immigration Can Bolster Our Overstretched Medical System

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H Massachusetts has a well-deserved reputation as a national leader in healthcare and medical research. Despite this, our medical system has also found itself overstretched with the demands placed upon it by the COVID-19 pandemic and other structural factors. One way to improve healthcare delivery is to provide a pathway to practice for internationally-trained health … Continued

STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Praises End of Harmful “Remain in Mexico” Policy

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STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Praises End of Harmful “Remain in Mexico” Policy Boston, MA – In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Biden v. Texas, which allows the Biden administration to terminate the Migrant Protection Protocols (better known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy), Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition Executive Director Elizabeth Sweet issued the following statement: “We are … Continued

state house cover photo

Tell MA Lawmakers: Language Access and Safe Communities Matter!

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Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition Language Access and Safe Communities! With a little over a month left in the Massachusetts State House legislative session, there are two major pieces of legislation remaining that hold critical importance for immigrants and their allies in the Commonwealth. We need your help to push them over the finish … Continued

Marking a Historic Win for our Immigrant Community

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Last week, the Massachusetts House and Senate both voted to override the Governor’s veto on the Work and Family Mobility Act. This means that Massachusetts is now officially the 17th state to pass driver’s license legislation! Email your State Legislator(s) today to thank them for voting to override the Governor’s veto. MIRA would like to express … Continued

Language Access Budget Campaign

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Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition   Language Access Budget Campaign Next week, the Massachusetts State Senate is debating and voting on its version of the Fiscal Year 2023 State Budget!  It’s up to us to make sure the final budget includes funding for our Commonwealth’s immigrants and refugees! The state budget is a values … Continued

Weekly Message from Liz Sweet

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As MIRA’s new Executive Director, I am launching a biweekly blog to begin to share my experiences and reflections with MIRA’s many stakeholders.  Last week, I had the opportunity to visit with MIRA member and partner Immigrant Family Services Institute, or IFSI.  IFSI serves the Haitian community in Boston and has rapidly scaled their services … Continued