With the first debate focusing on domestic topics and the third debate covering foreign policy issues extensively, only the second meeting between the Presidential candidates provided insight into either’s plan for immigration reform.

As the race for the Senate seat in Massachusetts heats up and Election Day draws near, it is important to consider the effects the outcome will have on the state’s minority and immigrant communities – and vice versa.

This Saturday, generic will join the Greater Boston Citizenship Initiative (GCBI) in hosting our only Boston-area citizenship clinic of the summer. These free clinics provide legal permanents residents (LPRs) with the guidance, referrals and materials needed to successfully complete their application, pass their citizenship test, and become fully integrated and engaged U.S. citizens.

This year’s Give Liberty a Hand gala also marks generic ’s 25^th anniversary. While generic is honored to celebrate another year of continued positive influence in the community, we are especially eager to honor the longevity of the organization.  The sustained presence and expansion over the years is a point of particular pride for all of those who have remained steadfastly involved with generic and its core mission of advocating for immigrant and refugee rights in the Commonwealth.  To those organizations and individuals who have contributed to this continued success, we extend our deepest gratitude.

As part of the Tufts Hillel Moral Voices lecture series, Deval Patrick spoke at the university on Monday about immigration rhetoric and voiced concerns regarding existing and pending immigration policies.  Continue reading to take a look at what the governor had to say by reading the speech’s transcript.

 

The recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision Finch v. Commonwealth Health Care Connector Authority has re-established Commonwealth Care health coverage eligibility for many immigrants. If you are an immigrant who was previously enrolled in the "Bridge" program, you should have received a letter from the Connector Authority in February regarding increases in benefits, health plan options, and designation of a Primary Care Provider (PCP). Everyone in this situation should have been transferred to Commonwealth Care on March 1.

Committee hearing packed with constituents speaking out against divisive and fiscally irresponsible Senate Bill 2061

BOSTON — In the middle of a contentious State House hearing today on a bill entitled "An Act to Enhance Community Safety," Representative Carlos Henriquez  asked, "Why are we making immigration the culprit in this? What can we do that addresses these issues that doesn't make immigration the boogeyman, so to speak?"

The act, SB 2061 and its counterpart House Bill 3913, were presumably introduced in response to the tragic death of a U.S. citizen caused by a drunk driver who happened to be undocumented. But at the Joint Committee on the Judiciary hearing, human rights advocates, faith leaders, immigration experts and others spoke about how the proposed legislation scapegoats immigrants and ignores the real threats to public safety, namely, drunk driving and alcohol abuse.

The not-so-quiet town of East Haven, Connecticut has been the subject of a media firestorm in recent weeks. The initial story broke when four East Haven police officers were arrested following a three year federal investigation into alleged racial profiling of Latinos in the area.  While East Haven Police Chief Leonard Gallo was not criminally charged in the investigation he has conveniently decided to retire, a decision that will take affect today.

State of the Union addresses immigration's empty promises

In a predictable State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama hit all the standard political talking points; homeland security, education, jobs and the economy. He did however take a moment to discuss higher education and the challenges that young immigrants face when attempting to advance their education. Obama laid out the facts once again: “Let’s also remember that hundreds of thousands of talented, hardworking students in this country face another challenge: the fact that they aren’t yet American citizens. Many were brought here as small children, are American through and through, yet they live every day with the threat of deportation.” While the DREAM Act would have gone a long way in solving this problem the approval and implementation has yet to be seen, leaving hundreds of thousands of young immigrants in limbo when it comes to educational advancement.

Tonight, Friday, December 2, the Irish International Immigration Center will present its annual Solas Award Celebration to generic ’s Executive Director, Eva Millona.

The prosecutorial discretion memo created by ICE Director John Morton back in June is now gaining the leverage it needed. The original memo called for ICE officials nationwide to make judgment calls on potential deportation cases but there has been little implementation of the memo until now.

This Saturday, December 3, Citizenship Works is offering a free citizenship clinic in downtown Boston. This clinic is the second of an ongoing series of clinics throughout the greater Boston area.

The clinic is located on the 2^nd Floor of SEIU Local 615, 26 West Street, Boston, MA 02111. Registration for the clinic begins at 11:00am and will close at 2:00pm on Saturday, December 3^rd.

 

More than ever, the attempts by states to regulate illegal immigration have turned into a humanitarian crisis. Joining the ranks of Arizona, Indiana, Georgia and Utah, Alabama has adopted the strictest anti-immigrant legislation this country has seen yet. The laws implemented at the end of September convert school teachers into immigration officials and neighbors into mistrusted strangers. Towns once filled with activity and commotion are now empty and quiet. Fields are filled with rotting crops and schools with empty chairs.

Come join generic staff, friends and family at the opening night of the first annual Arlington International Film Festival!

In order to kick off this Columbus’ Day Weekend, generic will join the Arlington International Film Festival in celebrating the cultural diversity of our communities. The documentary films showcased at the festival highlight progressive independent filmmakers from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The screenings promote multicultural awareness in Arlington and beyond, as well as a renewed conviction of the power of film to inspire, educate and unite.

It’s good to know that among the anti-immigrant bills passed in Alabama, Georgia and Arizona, there are some states that are choosing to embrace the diversity of their populations.

Scores of supporters of the “In-State Tuition” bills (S.566 and H.2109) crammed into Room A-2 at the Massachusetts State House Wednesday to attend the Committee on Higher Education’s hearing dedicated solely to the identical bills, which would grant in-state tuition rates to any student who has attended a Massachusetts high school for at least 3 years.

Springfield joins the growing list of of communities that don't want to participate in Secure Communities.

‘“E-Verify is a successful program to help ensure that jobs are reserved for citizens and legal workers.  The ‘E’ in E-Verify could just as well stand for ‘easy’ and ‘effective.’”

There are many things wrong with Representative Lamar Smith’ s (R-TX) statement about his new bill, the Legal Workforce Act, that would mandate the use of E-Verify.  Successful, easy and effective are all three things that E-Verify is not.