Skip to content

News

Featured News

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
Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 5/21/2026

Policy Updates

President Trump is now targeting immigrant access to banks through a new executive order. The order directs the Secretary of Treasury to issue new advisories and regulations dealing with the “risks” of lending to non-citizens, especially those without status. This is a slightly weaker policy than anticipated; previous news reports indicated that the administration would … Continued

Senate releases version of the PROTECT Act

Senate Releases Version of the PROTECT Act

Policy Updates

Last week, the Massachusetts Senate took a historic step by passing the PROTECT Act (S.3072) with a bipartisan vote of 37–3. Senators filed 76 amendments during debate, with 7 ultimately adopted into the final Senate version of the bill. The Senate bill includes a clear prohibition against any new 287(g) “collaboration” agreements with ICE, which … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 5/14/26

Policy Updates

The administration announced that David Venturella, a former executive at the GEO Group, will replace Todd Lyons as the acting head of ICE. Venturella left the GEO Group in 2023 and has recently been working at ICE overseeing detention contracts.  Relatedly, a recent analysis by Politico found that federal judges have ruled against mandatory detention … Continued

Immigrant-Owned Businesses Are Powering Massachusetts, And They Deserve Protection

Immigrant-Owned Businesses Are Powering  Massachusetts, And They Deserve Protection

Blog

Across Massachusetts, immigrant entrepreneurs are a driving force behind our economy. They open restaurants, launch biotech firms, and staff our hospitals. Immigrants anchor the small businesses that line our Main Streets. As our nation nears the 250 year-mark of American entrepreneurship, their contributions deserve both recognition and robust policy support. MIRA Coalition Executive Director Liz … Continued

Action Alert Support Immigrant Protections in the Annual State Budget

Action Alert – Support Immigrant Protections in the Annual State Budget!

News

  On May 5th, the Massachusetts Senate released its proposed FY27 annual budget for debate and passage later this month. Right now, state senators have made their budget priorities known to Senate leadership. Ask your state senators to vote in favor of MIRA’s FY27 Senate Budget Amendments that help protect immigrants against deportation: Amendment # … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 5/7/26

Policy Updates

The administration’s assaults on residents with status continue as they delay employment authorization renewals for DACA recipients. Applicants, who have filed timely applications for renewal, are seeing processing times 5 times longer than last year. These processing delays mean that many are not receiving decisions in a timely manner, meaning they are being fired from … Continued

TPS Justice for All: MIRA joins hundreds of advocates in Washington, D.C.

TPS Justice for All: MIRA joins hundreds of advocates in Washington, D.C.

Blog

Last week MIRA staff joined a bus of passionate Massachusetts advocates to travel to Washington D.C. to support immigrant families affected by the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria. Organized by National TPS committee, the Massachusetts TPS committee and La Colaborativa, the 400+ mile journey was full of … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Protecting Massachusetts Communities Coalition Applauds Senate Passage of PROTECT Act

News

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Senate today passed its version of the PROTECT Act, advancing critical legislation to safeguard civil rights and limit state and local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. The PROTECT Act (S. 3072), would establish clear, statewide standards governing interactions between local authorities and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The bill aims to … Continued

#TakenByICE – Story Collection and Poster Initiative

Blog

People are being taken without warning or judicial warrants.They are being indefinitely imprisoned in deplorable conditions for alleged civil violations, without representation, and without a chance to notify their families. They are frequently moved across the country, isolating them from their families and social support networks. We refuse to let that be normal. Help us … Continued

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

PRESS STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Testifies Before U.S. Senate in  Support of Immigrant Businesses (in multiple languages)

News

BOSTON, MA –  April 29, 2026 Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for the American Entrepreneurship for 250 Years: Driving Innovation, Growth and Opportunity hearing. Sweet issued the following statement: “Throughout American history, immigrants have significantly contributed … Continued