Friday March 13, 2025

This Week’s Top News

• In the wake of the federal English-only Executive Order, Massachusetts legislators and advocates call for state action (video)
• Federal Policy Update
• Now The Good News
• MIRA’s first Immigrants’ Rights Conference March 18!
• Why do you go to Immigrants’ Day at the State House?
• New Report from the National Immigration Law Center: Data Shows Sanctuary Policies Make Communities Safer, Healthier And More Prosperous
• MIRA in the News
• What’s Happening at MIRA: IDSH is happening! Wed March 19 at the State House – Program and registration links below ? MIRA’s Liz Sweet appears on Cityline (video) ? MIRA’s Sarang Sekhavat interviews with Commonwealth Beacon (podcast) ? Voter registration at JFK library ? Know Your Rights sharing and education continues
• Cultural Offerings: Center for Arabic Culture Boston Music Concert ? Celebrating Local Female Artists Women’s History Month event ? “America, Let Me In” - Felipe Torres Medina appearance at Brookline Booksmith April 10, event sponsored by MIRA
• Local & National News
• Resources: Free immigration help ? ICE protocols for religious congregations (from the Episcopal City Mission) ? Resource Guide for Undocumented Students Applying to College (City of Boston) ? 2025 Boston Citizenship Day ? Narrative Change Resource: 5 Tips: How to Avoid Common Myths ? Know Your Rights Resources
• Trainings and Workshops: Upcoming Citizenship Clinics ? Thursday March 27 1-2pm: Rights, Resources, and Benefits for Immigrants - MIRA’s Winter Training Series
• Get Involved: Send a letter to Congress – NO additional funding for immigration enforcement! ? Contact your legislators and tell them: I support Language Access and Inclusion! ? IFSI event tomorrow, March 14! ? Prayer for Immigrant Neighbors Gathering March 19 ? Call for Interpreters at Immigrants’ Day at the State House! ? 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

In the wake of the federal English-only Executive Order, Massachusetts legislators and advocates call for state action

On Saturday, President Trump signed an?Executive Order?making English the official language of the United States, a first in our nation’s nearly 250 year history. The EO would theoretically allow government agencies and others who receive federal funding to choose whether or not to continue providing documents and services in languages other than English.?This order rescinded the longstanding?Executive Order 13166, allowing government agencies and entities receiving federal funding to choose whether to continue offering services and documents in languages other than English. This action reinforces the administration’s exclusionary and xenophobic agenda, in addition to dismantling vital language access protections.

Two of the main legal bases for language access at the federal level, are

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?and?Executive Order 13166?(which affirms Title VI’s requirements and outlines additional ones), and with that in threat, it’s more important now than ever for state and local officials to recommit to providing language access, despite efforts to dismantle it at the federal level. While this is a major setback, this administration cannot erase the over 350 vibrant languages spoken across this melting pot of a country.

Although MIRA expects this EO to be challenged in federal court, it highlights the need for MA to pass?the Language Access and Inclusion Act,?a bill currently sponsored by?Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Adrian Madaro, and Rep. González.

MIRA is a founding member of MassSpeaks, a coalition of organizations led by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, and Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts. Together with the bill sponsors, MassSpeaks developed the bill in response to the overwhelming need for ?accessible public information and services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This need was particularly acute for low-income immigrant state residents, who faced the brunt of the pandemic and resulting economic dislocation.

Faced with an impenetrable barrier of English-only state websites, portals, applications, phone messages and email communications, these residents were forced to rely—and very often continue to rely—on their own small, overwhelmed community organizations to secure desperately-needed services. . . . Read more

Take action now – support the Language Access and Inclusion Act!

Federal Policy Update

• On Wednesday, USCIS officially published it new regulations laying out the process for Registration. Immigrants who are not already registered are expected to make a myUSCIS account and fill out Form G-325R online. The will then be given an appointment for biometrics (fingerprints, photo, and signature) to complete the registration process. Registrants would then be able to print out proof of registration to carry with them. The Trump Administration expects people to carry proof of registration with them at all times. NILC has quickly put together both an FAQ and KYR on Registration. Pramila Jayapal will soon be introducing the No Round Up Act to repeal the government’s registration authority.
• On Tuesday, the House passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government after this Friday, when current funding expires. The CR would add $500 million to detention and enforcement, but does not contain the usual guardrails, including directives on how the administration can spend the funds. For instance, previous CRs included directives to ensure fairness in immigration court proceedings and in the hiring of immigration judges; those directives are not in the current CR. The administration would also have more latitude to move resources from criminal enforcement to civil immigration enforcement. A CR would be open to a filibuster, so any attempt to fund the federal government would need Democratic votes to pass in the Senate, and Senator Schumer said yesterday that there are not enough Dem votes to pass this.?The Detention Watch Network and National Immigrant Justice Center have put together an action item for individuals to send letters to Congress opposing additional funding for immigration enforcement, and MIRA encourages everyone to sign it. Similarly, The Protecting Immigrant Families campaign has an organizational sign-on letter to oppose cuts to public benefits, and your organization can sign-on to that letter here.?
• House and Senate leadership continue to work on a reconciliation bill to fund the federal government after the current federal fiscal year (which ends September 30). The reconciliation process allows the passage of a bill in the Senate by a simple majority (no filibuster), but it does require both chambers to pass the same blueprint, and the House and Senate are currently far apart on their approach. Expect work on this to continue in Washington into May.
• Rumors are swirling that we will soon see a new travel ban out of the Trump Administration. We had seen a previous travel ban during the last Trump term, which targeting Muslim majority nations. This time around, we are hearing that the travel ban could be broader to include Caribbean nations. MIRA will provide updates as we get them.
• On March 1, President Trump signed an Executive Order making English the official language of the United States, a first in our nation’s nearly 250 year history. The EO would theoretically allow government agencies and others who receive federal funding to choose whether or not to continue providing documents and services in languages other than English. Although MIRA expects this EO to be challenged in federal court, it highlights to the need for MA to pass An Act Relative to Language Access and Inclusion. . . . ?Read more

MIRA's Policy Update Page

Now The Good News

Last week,?Representative Sylvia Garcia re-introduced the Dream and Promise Act.?This bill would provide a pathway to US citizenship for most DACA recipients, other DREAMers, and those on Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure.

Various lawsuits against the administration’s xenophobic actions continue to make their way through the courts. Some recent updates include:

• Birthright Citizenship:?4 preliminary injunctions remain in place, blocking the administration from implementing their highly unconstitutional efforts to restrict birthright citizenship. The administration has already lost its initial appeal in the 9th Circuit to stop the injunction. Just yesterday, the 1st Circuit rejected the administration’s appeal of the injunction issued here in Boston.
• Temporary Protected Status:?Last week, organizations and individuals from Boston filed suit against the Trump Administration in an effort to protect Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Venezuelans. Haitian-Americans United, the Venezuelan Association of MA, and Undocublack, represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights, argue that the administration’s attacks on these programs are in violation of federal law and are asking the court to block these decisions from DHS.
• Parole:?The Haitian Bridge Alliance joined plaintiffs from around the country in suing the Trump Administration to block the government’s efforts to cut off categorical humanitarian parole programs, including CHNV, Uniting for Ukraine, and Operation Allies Welcome. The suit, filed in federal court February 28, accuses the administration of violating federal law not only in ending these programs, but also in blocking beneficiaries from accessing any other forms of relief.

Communities continue to rally and join together in solidarity; to learn how to protect and support each other; and to spread?Know Your Rights resources?and education.?

• Around 100 people gathered last Monday night at First Parish in Brookline to learn about ways they can help immigrants in the Boston area. . . .Jennifer Wofford of Brookline hosted a Zoom event Thursday, the third in a series of virtual meetings she has led in the past couple of months to share ways people can support immigrant families, either volunteering or lobbying campaigns. . . . Another group, the Newton-Brookline Asylum Resettlement Coalition, made up of members from seven congregations . . . Read more

MIRA’s first Immigrants’ Rights Conference March 18!

MIRA is so excited to be hosting our first Immigrants’ Rights Conference March 18! We will be Preparing for Action the next day, when we come Together in Action at Immigrants’ Day at the State House!

Conference agenda and program here

Why We Go To IDSH

Data Shows Sanctuary Policies Make Communities Safer, Healthier And More Prosperous

The Trump administration is threatening to revoke federal funding for cities and localities that limit local officials’ role in federal immigration enforcement – a coercive tactic to get local officials to cede their power and bend to a violent nativist vision. Threats to welcoming policies aren’t just coming from the White House, however. Congress is soon to consider the?“No Bailouts for Sanctuary Cities Act,”?a bill that would plunge cities and states into utter chaos by stripping wide swaths of federal fundings from communities, leaving individuals and families without access to school lunches, emergency Medicaid, and food assistance programs.

Despite arguments to the contrary from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans, state and local policies that welcome immigrants make our communities safer, healthier, and more prosperous. They are also legal, sound, and protected by the 10th Amendment. Any attempt to threaten or intimidate local elected officials into ceding their power to follow orders from the Oval Office is an attack on local communities.. . . . Read more

MIRA in the News

Vanguard News Group: Mayors Testify in Congress for Pro-Immigrant Platform Read more

Boston Globe: Boston city councilors defend pro-immigrant Trust Act as President Trump threatens funding cuts Read more

What’s Happening at MIRA

WCVB5 CityLine: In defense of a city of immigrants

MIRA’s Executive Director Liz Sweet appeared on Cityline alongside Dr. Leonardo Vivas, adviser to the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and Lecturer on Comparative Political Economy at Lesley University to discuss federal mass deportation policies and the response of local leaders.

Commonwealth Beacon interviewed MIRA's Chief of Staff Sarang Sekhavat on their podcast: Temporary Protected Status marks the latest immigration standoff between Trump and Massachusetts 28 minute listen

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 Citizenship Clinic Friday March 28 in Lawrence

Registration required: email [email protected] to register

Thursday March 27 1-2pm: Rights, Resources and Benefits for Immigrants Register here

Local & National News

WWLP: Advocates look to expand tax credits for low-income immigrant families Read more

Boston Globe: The Mahmoud Khalil arrest shows how different Trump’s immigration policies are Read more

Documented: Travel Advisories Circulate in Communities As Trump’s Travel Ban Looms Read more

Boston Globe: Former head of Boston ICE field office tapped to lead national agency Read more

AP News: Trump order denies student loan relief to nonprofit workers engaged in ‘improper’ activity Read more

Cultural Offerings

Ticket link here

In collaboration with the?Mayor's Office for Women's Advancement, MOIA and?SoFar Sounds?invite you to a Concert and Social Night celebrating Women’s History Month on March 29. The event features performances from local female artists, an open mic, and networking with other attendees from the?Chica Project. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.?Please RSVP here?- free tickets reserved on a first-come, first-served basis! Registration will close when capacity is reached.

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En colaboración con?la Oficina para el Avance de la Mujer, MOIA y?SoFar Sounds?los invitan a un concierto y una noche social el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer el 29 de marzo. El evento presenta actuaciones de artistas femeninas locales, un micrófono abierto y networking con otros asistentes del?Proyecto Chica. Habrá alimentos y bebidas disponibles para comprar.?Reserve un boleto gratis aqui,?mientras estan disponibles.?La inscripción se cerrará cuando se alcance la capacidad.

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.

Resources

ICE protocols for religious congregations (from the Episcopal City Mission)

Resource Guide for Undocumented Students Applying to College (City of Boston resource)

Narrative change resource from the Opportunity Agenda: “5 Tips: How to Avoid Common Myths About Immigration”

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

The Detention Watch Network and National Immigrant Justice Center have put together an action item for individuals to send letters to Congress opposing additional funding for immigration enforcement, and MIRA encourages everyone to sign it.

Dismantle Longstanding Language Barriers to Equal Access to State Services: Improve Language Access at State Agencies – People depend on state agencies to address needs and challenges – from applying for unemployment assistance, to keeping food on the table and staving off an eviction, to navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. While nearly 1 in 4 Massachusetts residents speak a language other than English in the home, our Commonwealth’s services and information are overwhelmingly conveyed in English alone, effectively denying hundreds of thousands of families the ability to access critical resources.

Take action now! Use this link to tell your legislators

I support Language Access and Inclusion

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.

Three 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 the MIRA Coalition

For real-time action alerts, events, and training opportunities sign up for our email Bulletin here!