Friday February 28, 2025

This Week’s Top News

• MIRA's Registry Guidance
• Courage and Resistance – Join us to support Mayor Wu March 5 at City Hall
• Federal Policy Update
• Now The Good News
• Why do you go to Immigrants’ Day at the State House?
• MIRA in the News
• What’s Happening at MIRA: March 5 action 11am at City Hall Plaza: Rally in Solidarity with Mayor Wu ? MIRA’s staff continue to bring Know Your Rights Trainings to communities around the state
• Cultural Offerings: “America, Let Me In” - Felipe Torres Medina appearance at Brookline Booksmith April 10, event sponsored by MIRA ? The Grove at the Huntington Theatre
• Local & National News
• Resources: The Opportunity Agenda Editorial Calendar – because we will recognize and celebrate diversity with or without Google’s assistance ? Immigration Legal Helplines ? Know Your Rights Resources
• Trainings and Workshops: Thursday March 13 1-2pm: How You Can Be an Immigration Advocate - MIRA’s Winter Training Series
• Get Involved: Call for Volunteers and Interpreters at Immigrants’ Day at the State House! ? Panel March 11 in J.P.: First They Came for the Immigrants . . . ? MIRA’s Americorps New American Integration Program is looking for host sites for the 2025-26 season! ? Support the Protecting Our Immigrant Communities Campaign Action Alert ? Anti-Hate work at MIRA
• Donate to the MIRA Coalition

MIRA Registry Guidance

On Monday, USCIS launched a new webpage explaining “Alien Registration”, the first step in fulfilling the president’s order to register all non-citizens in the United States. This process is still in the early stages, and little is known outside of what is contained on the USCIS webpage, including how registration is expected to occur or when.

Individuals are not required to do anything yet!

Individuals will need to register if they are at least 14 years or older and did not register when applying for a visa to enter the US and who remained longer than 30 days. For children under the age of 14, their parents or guardians are expected to register on their behalf. Children are expected to register within 30 days of their 14th birthday even if they have already been registered by a parent or guardian.

This registration requirement does not apply to non-citizens who have already registered with the government, including:

• Lawful permanent residents;
• Individuals paroled into the United States under INA 212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired;
• Individuals admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired;
• Individuals present in the United States who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas prior to arrival;
• Individuals whom DHS has placed into removal proceedings;
• Individuals issued an employment authorization document;
• Individuals who have applied for lawful permanent residence using Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700, even if the applications were denied; and,
• Individuals issued Border Crossing Cards.

The last time we saw something like this was with the Special Registration program that the Bush Administration had introduced shortly after 9/11. Under that program, 83,000 individuals from predominantly Muslim countries registered, with 13,000 subsequently placed in removal proceedings.

Individuals subject to registration should speak to an attorney to see how to approach this. Registration could lead to being placed in removal proceedings, or even make individuals subject to expedited removal if they have been in the US for less than 2 years. However, failure to register may lead to criminal charges and ineligibility for future immigration status.

Courage and Resistance - Join us to support Mayor Wu March 5 at City Hall

There’s been a lot of “bad news” since January 20th.

In better news this week: Chelsea and Somerville filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to coerce them into participating in mass deportation efforts. Represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights, the Cities assert that the Administration’s heavy-handed tactics—threatening to strip sanctuary cities of federal funding and prosecute them for failing to bend to the President’s will—violate their Constitutional rights. Read more

Also in better news, a federal judge blocked immigration enforcement at some houses of worship. ?. . .

Mayor Wu has been called before Congress to testify on Boston’s Trust Act and the moves the city has made to separate itself from the enforcement of federal civil laws. The Mayor has agreed to testify and she has responded publicly by saying in part, “From the beginning, it’s clear that Boston’s progress may seem threatening to some. We are a community here that prioritizes investing in every generation, being welcoming, inclusive, and then having the receipts and the results to show that that is a way of serving everyone even better.”?

As Mayor Wu gets prepared to testify and provide a strong defense of the way we do things here in Boston, MIRA is asking members of our community to thank Mayor Wu for standing up for our shared values.?

Join us March 5 11am to 1pm in front of City Hall to demonstrate our support for Mayor Wu, and to show that Boston and all of MA is indeed a community of people who have the courage to welcome.

Read full blog post

Why We Go To IDSH

Federal Policy Update

• The House GOP passed their budget resolution on Tuesday by a vote of 217-215 after a day of confusion that included initially cancelling the vote, then reversing course 20 minutes later to call representatives back to hold the vote. Although just an outline for an eventual federal budget, the resolution calls for a $4.5 Trillion cut to taxes and a $2 Trillion cut to benefits while also increasing funding for the Department of Homeland Security by $90 Billion. This week’s move follows passage last week of a very different budget resolution in the Senate, and Congress has a long road ahead of it to achieve agreement between the two chambers and craft a detailed budget plan that is acceptable to majorities in both chambers.
• The Administration is taking the first steps in implementing Trump’s call for all undocumented immigrants to register with the federal government. USCIS recently set up an FAQ page on registration requirements, but has yet to provide any other information. MIRA will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
• Last Thursday, the White House issued a new Executive Order calling on federal agencies to evaluate their programs for any funds that might assist undocumented immigrants or that might otherwise support “sanctuary” policies. This EO does not make any changes to benefit eligibility and is intended to scare families away from accessing the supports that they are entitled to.

Check out MIRA’s Policy Updates page for regular state and federal policy information.

Now The Good News

• On Monday, a federal judge in Maryland issued a very limited preliminary injunction restricting ICE enforcement actions at houses of worship. The injunction only applies to the plaintiffs - a coalition of Quaker, Baptist, and Sikh organizations - and essentially revives the Biden Administration’s Sensitive Locations memo only for their houses of worship. A coalition of over 2 dozen Christian and Jewish organizations have filed a similar lawsuit in DC.
• Chelsea and Somerville filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to coerce them into participating in mass deportation efforts. Represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights, the Cities assert that the Administration’s heavy-handed tactics—threatening to strip sanctuary cities of federal funding and prosecute them for failing to bend to the President’s will—violate their Constitutional rights. Read more
• New York City sues feds to return $80 million FEMA grant for asylum seeker-related expenses Read more
• Immigrant hospital workers receive over $640k after wage theft settlement Read more
• Denver’s school district sued Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and her department, arguing that her new directive gives ICE “unchecked authority” to enforce immigration in schools. Read more
• Immigrant rights groups CASA and Make the Road New York announced a federal lawsuit seeking to reverse the president’s termination of TPS for Venezuelans, who could soon face deportation. Read more
• Representative Sylvia Garcia of Texas re-introduced the Dream and Promise Act. The bill would provide a pathway to citizenship for most DACA recipients and other Dreamers as well as recipients of Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure.?
• On Tuesday, a federal judge in Seattle issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Executive Order that halted refugee admissions into the country. The suit was brought by 9 impacted refugee families along with Church World Service, HIAS, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), and administration is expected to quickly appeal the decision.
• Refugee Resettlement Organizations Persevere Despite Trump’s Suspension Order Read more

MIRA in the News

Franklin Observer: Beacon Hill Roll Call Read more

Mass Live: Mass. immigration court case backlog likely to get worse, fired judge says Read more

More MIRA in the news:

7 News: Trump administration throws out protections from deportation for roughly half a million Haitians Read more

State House News Service: MIRA Coalition Condemns Trump Administration’s Elimination of Temporary Protected Status for Half a Million Haitian Immigrants Read more

What’s Happening at MIRA

MIRA’s Director of Training Jess Chicco was part of a panel at an event hosted by Brookline for Racial Justice and Equity : Racial Justice & The Courts: Legal Challenges & Strategies for the Next Four Years. They discussed the current administration’s strategic changes to policies around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and civil rights and how their organizations are responding. They also discussed what needs to happen for us to get past this very painful moment to not only recover to the way things were, but to arrive at a future better and more equitable than what we’ve left behind; reminding us that we are far from powerless, and there are many ways to fight back. Moderated by Boston University law professor Jason Feingold, fellow panelists included: Rahsaan Hall, Urban League; Traci Griffith, ACLU MA; Virginia Benzan, MLRI; and Erika Richmond Walton, Lawyers for Civil Rights.

MIRA’s Executive Director Liz Sweet spoke with EDs in Lawrence, MA about immigration policy updates, Know Your Rights, and rapid response strategy.

MIRA’s Director of Organizing Mariana Dutra collaborated with MAPS in Lowell to provide a hybrid Know Your Rights training to 106 people!

Registration and ticket links are live (click on the images above)! Stay tuned to the MIRA website for more details about this year’s Immigrants’ Day at the State House and MIRA’s first Immigrants’ Rights Conference – 2 days of advocacy and celebration!

MORE INFO HERE

Save the date for MIRA’s 29th annual Give Liberty a Hand event. For sponsorship opportunities and more information visit our website.

When: Thursday May 29 6-9pm

Where: Artists for Humanity, Boston

Tickets and more details: stay tuned

Become a GLAH sponsor!

Upcoming Trainings, Workshops and Webinars

Thursday March 13 1-2pm: How You Can Be an Immigration Advocate Register here

Local & National News

WGBH: Foreign-educated immigrants search for meaningful work in the US Read more

MassLive: Boston Mayor Wu pushes back on Trump border czar criticism: ‘It’s insulting' Read more

AP News: States threaten fines and jail time for local officials who resist Trump’s immigration crackdown Read more

Reuters: Trump officials launch ICE effort to deport unaccompanied migrant children Read more

7News Boston: State House Dems agree to $425 million shelter reform bill Read more

Cultural Offerings

In person at Brookline Booksmith! Celebrate the release of?America, Let Me In: A Choose Your Immigration Story?with author Felipe Torres Medina.

This event is cosponsored by the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition. Learn more about them?here.

Register for the event!

RSVP?to let us know you're coming! Depending on the volume of responses, an RSVP may be required for entrance to the event. You will also be alerted to important details about the program, including safety requirements, cancellations, and book signing updates. In the event that we reach capacity and have to close RSVPs, there will not be a waiting list.

Get your copy!

Books will be available for purchase at the event, but you can ensure that you get a copy by preordering on this page. You can pick your book up after 6:30PM on the day of the event.

Can't make it to the event? Preorder the book here to have it signed, and choose to have it held or shipped from the store!

Book orders are processed for pickup or shipping after ticket sales have closed.

Livestream!

When possible, events are livestreamed. Check out?our store YouTube channel?for livestream updates. No registration is required for the livestream.

The Grove

Ufot Family Cycle

Written By Mfoniso Udofia

Directed by Awoye Timpo

Where: the Huntington Theatre

When: Playing Feb 7 – March 9

Learn more and buy tickets here

Resources

Because we will recognize and celebrate diversity whether Google likes it or not.

As an act of compliance and complicity with the Trump administration, Google has stopped adding any broader cultural or diversity, equity, and inclusion related holidays or observances to their calendar. The Opportunity Agenda has created one to use if you would like it. You can even subscribe to it via, yes, Google calendar.

Opportunity Agenda Editorial Calendar

Please use and share the videos, social graphics, printables and links in this multilingual digital toolkit to spread the word and provide access to important resources for our immigrant communities. Materials will be added as they are created.

MIRA Know Your Rights Digital Toolkit

For more materials and trainings visit MIRA’s website

Get Involved

Stand up for your immigrant neighbors:?Learn what local organizations are doing to defend immigrant rights and how you can help.

Save the date:?Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm at First Baptist Church?(633 Centre St)

Come get informed about the local impact of the administration’s assault on immigrant rights and lives, and learn what we can do to defend our immigrant neighbors. Leaders representing various organizations will speak about advancing legal, legislative, and community mobilization efforts, which will be followed by Q&A and break-out groups to deepen the dialogue.

This is an opportunity to learn and get involved.

You must RSVP for this event at?https://www.mobilize.us/jpprogressives/event/756632/.?

Organizations on the panel?(as of the time of publication): MIRA?(Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy?Coalition) BIJAN?(Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network) Cosecha Brazilian Women’s Group Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights

Organized by the JPP Immigration Rights Action Group (JPP-IRAG)

MIRA’s Americorps New American Integration Program is looking for host sites for the 2025-26 season!

More information and application here

Mayor’s Youth Summit Feb 22 5-8pm Info here

Tickets here

With a federal government committed to the mass detention and deportation of immigrants and actively stripping away existing rights and protections, Massachusetts must take a stand.

Two bills introduced in the Massachusetts legislature?would help prevent the deportation of our immigrant friends, neighbors and community members and protect their access to justice and protection.

Ask your state legislators to co-sponsor these two bills.?Use our form to easily send an email to your state senator and representatives

READ MORE ABOUT THE PROTECT OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES CAMPAIGN

SEND A LETTER TO YOUR LEGISLATOR

Donate to MIRA Coalition

Share the News!

Encourage your friends to sign up for our email Bulletin here!