Thursday June 20, 2024

This Week’s Top News

On Tuesday morning, the Biden Administration announced new executive actions that could benefit over ? million families here in the United States.

While the new “Parole in Place” program does not create a new pathway to US citizenship (only Congress can do that), it does remove a major hurdle for many who would otherwise not be able to advance along an existing pathway by allowing them to apply for adjustment of status without leaving the US.

To be eligible for Parole in Place, one must:

• Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
• Have been living in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024; and
• Be married to a US citizen as of June 17, 2024.

Non-citizen children of eligible adults will also be considered for parole under this process.

Specifics on the application process will be published in the Federal Register soon, but we know that this will involve a new form and filing fee. Eligible individuals will be given a 3-year window in which to apply for relief under this new program. As with any immigration actions these days, lawsuits could interfere with the rollout or implementation of this program. MIRA will provide updates as new information emerges.

Updated link to information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Further Reading:

American Immigration Council Factsheet – The Biden Administration’s Parole-In-Place Announcement: Helping Mixed-Status Families Stay Together and Avoid Bureaucratic Traps

What World Refugee Day Means To Me by Dana Ibrahim Duffis

Where are you from?

What is your hometown?

Take a moment to ask yourself these questions. How easy is it for you to answer them?

For me and most of my fellow refugee community, these are often some of the most difficult questions to answer. It’s not because we don’t share a sense of belonging with our community or that we don’t feel welcome.

Often we are having this internal struggle to identify ourselves.

Personally, I lived in Iraq for 14 years of my life, but I have lived in Massachusetts for a little over 14 years now!

Massachusetts is home, Lowell/ Medford now is home. I went to school here and I grew up here. I became the best version of myself here and I learned to advocate for refugees here. I’m always proud to mention that I’m “from Boston” when I travel outside the US. Yet, I shy away from that pride when I’m home. I always feel like I struggle to fully belong to one place because of my refugee status.

On the other hand, this identity allows me to appreciate lots of things that many take for granted. Our democracy, our freedom, and our dreams. I would not . . . Read More

28th Annual “Give Liberty A Hand” was a success – thank you to all who attended

Thursday June 13th MIRA’s 28th annual gala, Give Liberty a Hand, was held at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. Our honorees for the evening, hosted by NBC’s Oscar Margain, were Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, JD Chesloff of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and Stories Inspiring Movement (SIM).

Guests enjoyed hors d’euvres and cocktails before the awards were presented, and a sit down dinner that began with a surprise video greeting from Governor Maura Healey. The program to follow consisted of several engaging speakers, including our honorees, Secretary of Labor Lauren Jones, Tri Tran from Rosie’s Place, and MIRA’s own Ruth Koha James, Liz Sweet, and Maroni Minter. A special video presentation highlighting MIRA’s work and impact was shown. Throughout the evening guests were treated to performances from a variety of musical talent: Carlos Herran Pou and Olayemi Ogundola of the Community Music Center of Boston performed together; Ghassan Sawalhi played a Middle Eastern stringed instrument called an oud; and for the finale local hip hop star Oompa performed, accompanied by live guitar.

It was a wonderful bringing together of old friends and new to celebrate what has been a truly momentous year for MIRA, and to uplift the accomplishments of our honorees.The event was planned to perfection, and the food, space and staff at the Seaport were phenomenal. Thank you to our event planner Carol McKean; to all our speakers; to the performers; to the guests; and as always to our generous sponsors. It’s your support that makes MIRA’s work possible. It was truly a night to remember – watch the video below!

Massachusetts Welcomes Campaign

Join the #CourageToWelcome Campaign!

The Courage To Welcome Campaign is going strong, with immigration advocates and organizations across Massachusetts coming together to show their support. As a collective, we have the power to flip the narrative--to ensure that immigrants have the resources they need to thrive and the tools to advocate for themselves. Watch this video to see some of the people behind this work! More info here

What’s Happening At MIRA

Check out our new events calendar!

Cultural, educational, and informational events. Citizenship clinics, voter registration, NAIP info sessions, and recreational events like film screenings, cultural heritage celebrations and more. Events calendar here

Local & National News

NBC: Connecting highly-trained immigrants to the jobs needed in the US Read more

Forbes: DACA Recipients Could Gain H-1B Visas Under New Immigration Policy Read more

BBC: Biden is walking immigration tightrope - but he's under fire no matter what Read more

NY Times Opinion: The Immigration Reform We Need Begins on the Street Corner Read more

PBS News Hour : How Biden’s immigration order shields undocumented spouses and children of citizens Listen

Cultural Offerings: MIRA Staff Picks

This week’s MIRA Staff Pick provides an in-depth look at the state of U.S. immigration today through the stories of the people affected the most

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Resources, Workshops & Events

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