Skip to content

News

MIRA MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE ADVOCACY COALITION

Black boys deserve to grow old: In memory of Pierre Damas Bel written by MIRA’s Communications Specialist, Farah Jeune

Blog MIRA Coalition Blog

How Trump’s immigration policies are impacting the mental health of our immigrant community members #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth Written by MIRA’s Communications Specialist, Farah Jeune Last Monday, August 31st  Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year old student from Haiti, committed suicide by walking into traffic on an interstate highway in Springfield, Ohio. Pierre previously had Temporary Protected Status (TPS) … Continued

Back To School Season Is Here – A Message from MIRA Coalition’s Access & Resource Specialist Catherine Ramirez Mejia, MPP

Blog MIRA Coalition Blog

  My youngest sister is returning to school this week to begin her senior year. It feels like yesterday she was beginning kindergarten. There’s a trend where seniors wear a backpack with the cartoon character from their childhood. She was trying to decide between a My Little Pony, Dora the Explorer, or Power Rangers backpack, … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates 8/21/2026

Policy Updates

USCIS released new guidance on what it means to be a Public Charge this week. The agency had previously issued a new rule that effectively removed existing regulations on how the agency would adjudicate the question, and advocates have been waiting for this new guidance to understand what new restrictions the administration would be placing … Continued

make a plan Vote for a better future

Make a Plan to Vote in the Massachusetts Primary Election

Blog

Voting is one of the most important ways we can make our voices heard and help shape the future of our communities. While presidential and other federal elections often receive the most attention, the decisions that affect our everyday lives are made at every level of government. Local and state leaders make decisions about our … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates – 8/14/2026

Policy Updates

DHS once against showed its propensity towards violence this week when ICE officers drew their weapons on a peaceful protestor. Following what would now seem to be standard operating procedure for the agency, DHS immediately accused Carolina Molina of “weaponizing her vehicle” during the incident in Northern Virginia on Monday. But as has repeatedly happened … Continued

MIRA Coalition's Give Liberty a Hand 40 Immigrant Nominees for 40 Years

40 Immigrants for 40 Years – Submit your Nomination! MIRA’s Give Liberty a Hand

News

As we celebrate MIRA Coalition’s 40th anniversary at our 2027 Give Liberty a Hand event, we are honoring 40 Massachusetts based immigrants and children of immigrants whose leadership, service, advocacy, innovation, and contributions have strengthened communities across Massachusetts. Use the form below to submit your nominations! Submit your nominations here! Loading…

Policy Update Federal

New Asylum Processing Rule

News Policy Updates

New Asylum Processing Rule (7/31/2026) The Trump Administration published a new rule on July 28 about how Asylum Officers should process asylum applications. The rule allows Asylum Officers to transfer some asylum cases to immigration court for deportation proceedings without first interviewing the applicant. Situations in which an Asylum Officer may be able to do … Continued

Policy Update Federal

TPS ended for Haiti and Syria

News Policy Updates

TPS ended for Haiti and Syria (7/30/2026) The Trump Administration has terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for Haiti and Syria effective July 27, 2026. This means that work permits issued through TPS are no longer valid. However, many TPS holders may have work permits issued in connection with another immigration benefit or pending application, … Continued

TPS Expiration: MIRA Stands with the Haitian and Syrian Communities Legal and Mental Health Resources

TPS Expiration: MIRA Stands with the Haitian and Syrian Communities – Legal and Mental Health Resources

MIRA Coalition Blog

“The expiration of Temporary Protected Status for roughly 350,000 Haitians and thousands of Syrians living in the United States, a country many call home, is inhumane and immoral. MIRA’s position has not changed. Forcing people back to conditions of extreme danger and violence will rip families and communities apart, and we recognize the harm this … Continued