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 issued pursuant to a suit challenging the guidance by the State of New York and 19 other states, and it applies in those states. The judge cites the harm resulting to people in immigrant families under the policy, as well as the “the confusion and chaos imposed by an overnight change to a thirty-year-old interpretation of a law.”
The guidance, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in July, denies lawfully present immigrants access to care at community health centers and substance abuse and mental health providers, early learning opportunities through Head Start, child abuse and prevention services, and other social services.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Last week close to 500 people demonstrated to show support for immigrant communities in front of the ICE detention facility in Burlington MA. If you would like to participate in weekly demonstrations, join the Facebook group Bearing Witness @ Burlington ICE Office
Avel-No Protests Avelo Airlines has become the first commercial airline to profit from secretive deportation flights, which lack due process and legal counsel. Protests began and continue across the country, part of a growing, nationwide effort to make it politically and publicly impossible for Avelo to continue these human rights abuses. Find more information and how to get involved here
INSPIRATION
Featured artist: Arthur Sze, 25th U.S. Poet Laureate (assumes the office October 9, 2025)
Here
Here a snail on a wet leaf shivers and dreams of spring.
Here a green iris in December.
Here the topaz light of the sky.
Here one stops hearing a twig break and listens for deer.
Here the art of the ventriloquist.
Here the obsession of a kleptomaniac to steal red pushpins.
Here the art of the alibi.
Here one walks into an abandoned farmhouse
and hears a tarantella.
Here one dreamed a bear claw and died.
Here a humpback whale leaped out of the ocean.
Here the outboard motor stopped but a man made it to this
island with one oar.
Here the actor forgot his lines and wept.
Here the art of prayer.
Here marbles, buttons, thimbles, dice, pins, stamps, beads.
Here one becomes terrified.
Here one wants to see as a god sees and becomes clear amber.
Here one is clear pine.
Arthur Sze
25th U.S. Poet Laureate (assumes the office October 9, 2025)
Arthur Sze is appointed U.S. poet laureate as the Library of Congress faces challenges: Sze is a New York City native and son of Chinese immigrants who explores themes of cultural and environmental diversity, and what he calls “coexisting.” —The Associated Press
WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
Celebrate National Voter Registration Week 2025 by making sure you’re ready for this year’s elections, and encouraging your friends to do the same.
Even though it’s not a presidential or congressional election year, local elections will determine vital things like whether your city can build more housing, books stay on school shelves, or local governments assist ICE. Your vote matters!
- Confirm that your voter registration is still valid (or register to vote for the first time by your state’s deadline).
- Update your address or re-register if you’ve recently moved.
- Make a plan to vote by mail or in person, whether early or on Election Day.
- Find out who and what is on your ballot.
- Ask two friends to register to vote or to verify their registrations. Studies show that people are more likely to vote if they are encouraged by someone they know.
Source: NonprofitVOTE, Americans of Conscience
Protect your state’s voter rolls from federal overreach.
Contact: Your state’s Secretary of State or chief election official (look up).
Script: Hello, my name is _____, contacting you from [ZIP] to urge you to follow Maine’s example and refuse to divulge [STATE]’s protected voter information to the Justice Department. The DOJ’s request for sensitive voter information violates the Privacy Act of 1974, and states need to affirm their constitutionally granted jurisdiction over elections. Please protect [STATE]’s voters from this illegal abuse of federal power. Thank you.
Source: Brennan Center, Americans of Conscience
Support MA State legislation that protects immigrant communities.
Use this easy link to share your support with your representatives in the State House.
More information about the Protect Our Immigrant Communities campaign here, including a toolkit with social graphics and how to participate in a postcard campaign.
Source: MIRA
Support aspiring Americans in your community.
The current administration has deployed more than 42,000 additional agents across the U.S. to increase immigration detention. These ICE raids have led to multiple cases of legally questionable arrests and wrongful detention of American citizens and lawful permanent residents. Learn your rights as a bystander during an ICE raid and how to help people by safely documenting their arrest.
- Watch: The We Have Rights video When Documenting ICE Arrests.
- Read: This infographic from Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network.
- Learn: The WITNESS checklist for Sharing Videos of Immigration Enforcement.
- Share: MIRA’s Know Your Rights Resources for immigrants – includes resources for individuals, families, educators, employers, and allies in multiple languages
- Learn further: We Have Rights and Eyes on ICE.
Source: AoCC, MIRA, Americans of Conscience
Hold Kristi Noem and ICE accountable.
Contact: Your two senators and one House representative (call, write, or email).
Script: Hi, my name is _____, and I’m reaching out from [ZIP] to urge an investigation into Kristi Noem’s unethical actions as DHS Secretary. Secretary Noem has shown a consistent pattern of unconstitutional overreach, endangerment of U.S. citizens, and blatant violations of civil rights under her leadership. I join more than 70 national and regional organizations in calling on [Sen./Rep. NAME] to investigate DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and hold her accountable for her actions.
Bonus: Complete this NILC form to demand Congress conduct ICE oversight (uncheck “I’d like to subscribe to NILC’s email list”, or get on the email list for future updates).
Source: Mi Familia Vota, Americans of Conscience
Show welcome to people seeking refuge here.
The current administration is denying people seeking refuge in the U.S., cutting funding for resettlement programs, increasing immigration raids in protected cities, and excluding many aspiring Americans from food-stamp and healthcare eligibility. That means it’s up to us to make sure our neighbors know they’re welcome as they work to rebuild their lives here.
Sign this Action Alert: Advocate for a refugee admissions goal that reflects humanitarian values and responds to global need EMAIL YOUR TWO SENATORS AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE – it takes less than a minute
Show your support for refugees by putting together a Global Refuge Neighbor Kit.
The current administration is denying people seeking refuge in the U.S., cutting funding for resettlement programs, increasing immigration raids in protected cities, and excluding many aspiring Americans from food-stamp and healthcare eligibility. That means it’s up to us to make sure our neighbors know they’re welcome as they work to rebuild their lives here.
Build your kit: Put together any of the following: a Youth Mentorship Kit, a Community Garden Kit, a Home & Kitchen Kit, and/or a Health & Wellness Kit. Then, register it with Global Refuge for information on shipping to where it’s needed.
Source: Global Refuge, Americans of Conscience