Language Access and Safe Communities!
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| 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 line!
This Friday (June 24th) is the deadline for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to take action and report on the Massachusetts Safe Communities Act. The legislation would end voluntary police and court involvement in deportations in the Commonwealth.
As it stands, many immigrants are reluctant to seek emergency medical care, contact law enforcement or seek court protection due to their legitimate concerns about state and local law enforcement coordinating with ICE. Together we’ve sent almost 10,000 emails in support of the Safe Communities Act to the committee – join this incredible effort by using our easy tool to send your own email.
Another crucial bill, An Act Relative to Language Access and Inclusion, was favorably referred out of committee last week. This is a momentous achievement and we are one step closer to improving language equity in Massachusetts.
Nearly 10 percent of Massachusetts residents have limited proficiency in English, and many of those desperately need access to critical state services such as assistance with housing, food and transportation. The Language Access bill would tackle this crisis by creating and standardizing language access policies at public-facing state agencies.
Please contact your legislator now to let them know you support fair and equal access to state resources for all residents, regardless of their English language proficiency! |
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MIRA presents the intro to Immigration
Summer Series 2022
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The virtual lunch hour series will present relevant, up-to-date, and accurate information on immigration topics in an accessible format. This series is open to anyone looking to increase their knowledge of immigration topics and learn about helpful resources for practice with immigrant populations. No prior experience or knowledge is necessary!
Join us on the following dates from 12-1pm EST! Please feel free to share this event widely with colleagues and friends.
- Thursday, June 30: ABCs of Immigration
- Thursday, July 7: Rights and Benefits for Immigrants
- Thursday, July 14: Immigration and Families
- Thursday, July 21: Immigration Policy Updates and the Work Ahead
You can find descriptions of each session HERE. Zoom links will be sent prior to each session.
You can register for each session for $15 OR register for all 4 topics for $50.
**If you are a MIRA member, please email us for a special code!**
Questions? Contact mtepper@miracoalition.org |
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– Announcements –
- Join the MIRA Coalition in efforts to register new United States citizens to vote! We’ll be registering voters after a swearing-in ceremony at Faneuil Hall at 12:30pm EST on June 30th. Sign up today!
- Interested in helping serve refugees and immigrants? The AmeriCorps New American Integration Program is recruiting up to 35 candidates for 2022-2023 service year. Please click here to apply.
- Do you need assistance with U.S. Citizenship applications? Our Citizenship team is holding both in-person and virtual clinics. See our website for date and location information!
- Saturday, June 25 (in person-Holbrook)
- Friday, July 8 (in person-MIRA’s office in Boston)
- Virtual appointments are also available!
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– News-
WGBH – What does the Supreme Court’s Arteaga-Martinez decision mean for immigration law?
HuffPost – Black Immigrant Domestic Workers Still Struggling As Pandemic Enters Third Year
Boston Globe – Biden’s dismal record on helping people fleeing from danger |
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– MIRA Member Spotlight-
Each week, we’ll be using this space to spotlight our outstanding MIRA members and the work they do for their communities. This week, we’re highlighting the New American Association of Massachusetts!
NAAM’s mission is to assist newly arriving refugees and immigrants with integration into American society, to promote economic stability, to build bridges with the larger community, and to foster the maintenance of refugees’ and immigrants’ cultural identities.
Their current services include: ESL classes, comprehensive employment and post employment services, basic computer training, translating and interpreting services, health education, volunteer tutoring, after school and summer youth programs, cultural programming, housing mediation, and crisis counseling.
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