March 21, 2024
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
See what all the excitement’s about!
Join us for MIRA’s 28th annual Immigrants’ Day at the State House Thursday March 28 9am – 1pm!
Every year, hundreds of immigrant and refugee constituents, and non-immigrants who support immigrants, from across the state come together in the State House to celebrate contributions of immigrants and advocate for our legislative and budget priorities.
This year, we will be advocating for new arrivals, language access, the Safe Communities Act, and internationally trained physician licensure.
MIRA is launching our Petition supporting immigrants, a powerful organizing tool that will enable us to mobilize constituents from all backgrounds, from all corners of this Commonwealth in support of MIRA’S legislative agenda.
Learn more about MIRA’s legislative priorities here
Register for the event here
Agenda and what to expect:
9-10am Networking and Story Collection
9:30am Cultural Performance by BMBCC’s Haitian Choir
10am Speaker Series
11am Legislator office visits and literature drop
Speaker Series
Also available:
Immigration Advocate Legal Helpline launches March 27th!
More information here
FEDERAL UPDATE – Texas’ SB4
Late last year, Texas passed Senate Bill 4 (SB4), which made it a state criminal offense to cross the US/Mexico border between ports of entry. The bill also orders that individuals convicted under the bill be sent to Mexico once their prison sentence is over, regardless of what country the individual actually came from. The bill was supposed to go into effect early this month, but had been blocked by lawsuits from both the Biden Administration and local non-profits who say that the law unconstitutionally usurps federal authority over immigration.
The law has traveled a bumpy and confusing road since. In February, a district court blocked implementation of the law while the suit proceeded, but the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals briefly stayed that opinion, allowing the law to go into effect. On March 19, the Supreme Court declined to review the 5th Circuit’s order. However, hours after the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case yet, the 5th Circuit reversed its own decision and blocked the law temporarily while the case proceeds.
Advocates across the country are extremely concerned about state legislation of this type because it could lead to a patchwork of immigration laws across the country and could have a particularly devastating impact on asylum seekers who are not able to come through a port of entry. Federal courts have repeatedly struck down similar laws in recent years, but continued efforts by states to take away immigrant rights raises concerns that the courts could eventually bow to the pressure and allow states to upend our constitutional system.
Source notes
U.S. Census Bureau. "Selected Population Profile in the United States." American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Selected Population Profiles, Table S0201, 2022. Accessed on March 6, 2024.
U.S. Census Bureau. "Sex by Place of Birth by Year of Entry for the Foreign-Born Population." American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Detailed Tables, Table B05008, 2022. Accessed on March 6, 2024.
U.S. Census Bureau. "Selected Population Profile in the United States." American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Selected Population Profiles, Table S0201, 2022. Accessed on March 6, 2024.
U.S. Census Bureau. "Occupation by Sex for the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over." American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S2401, 2022. Accessed on March 6, 2024.
Coming Up at MIRA
Register here
Sign up for the Massachusetts Welcomes Campaign toolkit!
The MIRA Coalition launched the Massachusetts Welcomes Campaign on March 12th, 2024! This campaign is a pivotal step towards ensuring that every immigrant and refugee in Massachusetts feels seen and has access to the services and support they need to thrive. More info here
Want to participate? You can download the Massachusetts Welcomes toolkit?here. Join us in showing our support online through social media posts, video clips, and more!?
Guidance in recording your own #CourageToWelcome video here And don’t forget to tag MIRA!
SAVE THE DATE! MIRA’S 28TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION JUNE 13TH
Local & National News
WBUR: DeSantis is prepping for a wave of Haitian migrants. Advocates say he's grandstanding Read more
Boston Globe: Across Massachusetts, people are rising up against the arrival of migrants. To some, the backlash seems racist. Read more
NY Times: Immigration gives us economic hope. Let’s hope Trump doesn’t ruin it. Read more
Podcast- Freakonomics: The true story of America’s supremely messed up immigration system Read more
Cultural Offerings: MIRA Staff Picks
For this week’s Staff Pick, MIRA celebrates Women’s History Month with a focus on art and stories by and for women.
领英推荐
Find it on bookshop.org and support independent bookstores!
Global Arts Live Presents: Suitcase Stories at the Somerville Theatre March 23
Saturday, March 23, 2024 8:00 PM Reserved seating, $28 Somerville Theatre
Suitcase Stories? features foreign- and US-born residents sharing powerful and inspiring stories of refugee and immigrant life. Featured nationally on WORLD Channel and PBS, the Suitcase Stories? series provides a way to dig beneath the headlines, exposing audiences to the complexity of migration issues. Storytellers are all local to New England.
Presented in collaboration with Stellar Story Company and the International Institute of New England (IINE), where the program originated in 2017. Suitcase Stories? is a registered trademark of IINE.
Museo Inmigrante at the Somerville Museum until March 23
Museo Inmigrante, Stories of Resilience from Somerville’s Padres Latinos, is on display at the Somerville Museum until March 23, 2024
more info
General Admission: $5; free to Museum members and visitors 12 years of age and under.
Event Admission: varies; Museum members receive discounts where applicable.
Closing Reception: Saturday, March 23 | 12pm–3pm | $5 admission fee.*
For the Museum’s open hours and events check out our event schedule.
*free to Museum members and visitors 12 years of age and younger with code MEMBER.
All We Carry - Documentary Film Screening at Salem Film Festival March 24
Documentary Film Screening: ALL WE CARRY
playing at the Salem Film Festival on Sunday March 24th at 12pm
We are also honored to be co-presented at the festival by CineFest Latino Boston.
You can learn more and buy tickets here: https://salemfilmfest2024.eventive.org/schedule/65d3b3ba3d24140041fb1235
About the film: All We Carry follows a young Honduran family as they flee persecution—migrating in cargo trains across Mexico, claiming asylum at the US border, and enduring separation in detention before being released in Seattle. There, a local synagogue sponsors the family for two years while they await the final decision on their asylum case. As the family tries to settle into their new home, we witness their everyday moments—both sorrowful and joyful—along the way.
Resources, Workshops & Events
Want us to help you with your citizenship application??We are not in the office every day, but MIRA is still providing free application assistance by phone, video conferencing and email,?and in the office by appointment. To get started, call 617-350-5480, ext. 200 and?leave a message?(we will call you back!). You can also email?[email protected].
More information here
Sign up here
Get Involved
Apply Now! New American Integration Program
Apply here
Help support newly arrived families at the United Way Fort Point shelter.
Fort Point Shelter United Way Drive Amazon needs list link: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3TY4Q3XZQIP14
Want to join a dynamic and multi-ethnic coalition? Join the MIRA family! ?
Jobs at MIRA
Internships at MIRA
Citizenship Intern?(fall, winter/spring & summer terms –?Summer 2024 internship applications are now closed. Deadline for fall 2024 internship applications is August 2.?This is an in person or possibly hybrid opportunity, not fully remote) Organizing Intern?(fall & winter/spring terms)
To apply, [email protected]?with a resume, and cover letter, with the “Job Title you are applying for” in the subject line of the email.
Absolutely love the insights shared! ?? Echoing Seneca's wisdom - success is not for the lucky, but the prepared. Let's gear up for the journey ahead! ?? #GrowthMindset