Thursday November 21, 2024
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
Victory for the Physicians Pathway Act!
Thanks to your support, on Wednesday, November 20th, Governor Healey signed the Physician Pathway Act into law! Tucked inside the massive economic development bill enacted last week, the Physician Pathway Act will address acute physician shortages in underserved communities by mobilizing the expertise of our Commonwealth’s experienced internationally-trained physicians.
The new law will create a pathway to full physician licensure for qualified internationally trained physicians in exchange for at least three years of medical practice in a healthcare facility serving state residents with the greatest need, and provides a mentorship alternative to the redundant, hard-to-secure residency requirement - which experienced physicians have already fulfilled in their home countries.
Passage has been a priority for MIRA Coalition and for MIRA member African Bridge Network this session - as well as for hundreds of our Commonwealth’s experienced immigrant and refugee physicians, who want nothing more than to restart their careers and give back to the communities who welcomed them.
Introduced at the start of the current legislative session, this critical healthcare workforce bill enjoyed a remarkable trajectory, quickly accumulating endorsements from the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, the Massachusetts Medical Center, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. This outpouring of support resulted in its adoption into Governor Healey’s economic development bill, where it won the support of Senate and House leadership.
Our bill was the first in the nation to devise an alternative pathway to practice, but now joins nine other states that have enacted similar legislation during the same period. We are grateful to our bill sponsors, Senator Jason Lewis and Representatives Jack Lewis and Mindy Domb for believing in our bill. ?And to all of our supporters who make this kind of work possible, thank you. ?
The state Board of Registration in Medicine still needs to develop implementing regulations in partnership with participating healthcare centers before the program can be launched, which could take as long as a year. We’ll share details as we have them!
Hope and action in a time of uncertainty
With a new administration imminent, many of us are experiencing fear and uncertainty around the future. While we know things will be hard, we have been here before, so we also know how to push back. During the last Trump administration, despite proposed changes to the public charge rule meant to deny green cards to low income immigrants, and the attempts to end protections under DACA and Temporary Protected Status, advocates stepped in and successfully stopped these changes from taking place or minimized their impact. ?
Many of us have a lot of questions about what could be on the horizon. It is important to remember that there are organizations and individuals who have been preparing for a potential Trump administration for a long time. We know we are likely to see stepped up immigration enforcement and the termination of humanitarian programs that have offered at least temporary safety to so many. While it may be worth reviewing some of the past policies which the Trump administration may try to bring back, we must keep in mind any changes like this will be met with well-organized opposition.
Furthermore, though some of these changes can be announced quickly, most will take time to implement, and in the meantime we expect them all to face legal challenges that will slow things down or stop them.
Though it may not feel like it, we are more prepared. It’s helpful to focus on what we can do:
Stay informed, seek accurate information, and share resources with your community! You can find Know Your Rights resources of all kinds, as well as many other resources for information about immigration and immigrants’ rights, in multiple languages on MIRA’s website. MIRA is also offering Know Your Rights trainings, find out more here.
Sign MIRA’s Petition for the advancement of the rights and inclusion of all immigrants and refugees in the Commonwealth
Donate and consider becoming a MIRA Sustainer
Resource: Immigration Policy Guide from USA Hello
USA Hello:
Be prepared for changes under the Trump administration.
This guide will help you prepare for changes in U.S. immigration policies when Trump becomes president on January 20, 2025. Policies are not final yet, but we do expect big changes. Know that some changes may be immediate while others may take time.
We will update this page regularly with any new updates. Save this page as a place to find trusted information and simple steps you can take now to help protect yourself and your family. We understand that uncertainty can be difficult. We want this to be a place where you can feel supported and safe.
Know Your Rights
Whether you’re a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a student on a visa, or undocumented, you have legal rights.
MIRA is building a multi-lingual resource which includes printable handouts, Know Your Rights cards, slides for presentations, posters and more. You can find these and more resources as they are added on our website.
MIRA also provides “know your rights” trainings for groups;?fill out this form?to request one.
MIRA in the News
What’s Happening at MIRA
Big thank you to all our members that attended the Annual Meeting! While there were feelings of fear, anger, and uncertainty in the room, it was even more powerful and inspiring to be in community with 43 other pro-immigrant organizations. We're moving forward and fighting as one!
Shout out to The Greater Boston Knitting Guild! They donated 175 homemade winter hats for our families, to be distributed at TPS clinics. Thank you!
In case you missed it - here's the recording of MIRA’s post-election briefing, where we talked about all the ways you can get involved!
This helpline number is open to all Massachusetts-based providers serving immigrants and refugees and accepts voicemails 24/7 at (508) 293-1871.
Learn more on our website here.
More information and RSVP links will be available soonon our website
Join MIRA’s #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
Local & National News
Boston Globe: Some sheriffs scoffed at immigration enforcement. Plymouth extended its agreement with ICE. Read more
US News and World Report: How a Trump Crackdown on Immigrants Could Fire Up Inflation Read more
Boston Globe: An immigrant family was evicted from a Lexington shelter. The mother wound up in ICE custody, facing deportation Read more
Boston.com: ‘This isn’t about me’: Wu hits back at Trump border czar Tom Homan over deportation rhetoric Read more
Podcast from This American Life: This is the Cake we Baked ACT 1: The Largest Deportation in American History Listen
Get Involved
How to host a newly arrived immigrant family
Consider opening up your home and hosting an individual or family in need. Many newly arrived families are in urgent need of housing due to the overwhelming demand for emergency assistance shelters, which are currently operating at full capacity. The state’s overflow and safety net centers are also at maximum capacity. Families in need are facing increasingly difficult situations as they find themselves on a waiting list for shelter assistance. We need host families to provide hospitality and accommodation for any period you are comfortable hosting, as even one night allows a family respite and comfort. Contact the Brazilian Worker Center if interested in hosting. Here is more information about what it means to become a host!
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