Media Center: Press Releases

Supreme Court Urged to Strike Down Arizona's Immigration Law

Court Should Strike Down Arizona Immigration Law, Say Scholars, Advocates and 11 State AGs

Supreme_Court_rally 4/25/12, BOSTON — Legal experts in Massachusetts today joined with civil rights leaders, clergy, immigrant rights advocates, and 11 state attorneys general across the nation, including Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, in urging the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold the ban on the most egregious parts of SB1070, Arizona's radical and destructive immigration law. Experts have protested that the law unconstitutionally usurps the power of the federal government to make and enforce immigration law, and that it mandates discriminatory treatment based on people's look and accent. As the New York Times editorial board wrote on Sunday, "its enforcement provisions essentially turn all Hispanics, including American citizens and legal residents, into criminal suspects."

Nearly a Thousand Immigrants Raise Voices at State House

Executive Vice-President of largest union in MA makes keynote speech at largest immigrant advocacy day of year

pledge4 4/9/2012 BOSTON -- "Brothers and sisters, we ARE the New America — and a new America that votes," said Veronica Turner-Biggs to over 600 immigrants packed into the Gardner Auditorium for the 16th annual Immigrants Day at the State House. As Executive Vice-Presdent of SEIU1199, the largest union in Massachusetts, Ms. Turner-Biggs fittingly offered the keynote address at the largest immigrant advocacy day of the year. Indeed, the day's gathering was so successful that an additional 300 immigrants gathered outside the auditorium to rally in Nurse's Hall.

The first African-American woman to head a major union in Massachusetts, Ms Turner-Biggs focused on the event's theme, "Building Power Together."

"Together, our voices are stronger than they are alone," she said. "Together, we are building a stronger Commonwealth for everyone." She also emphasized the crucial importance of immigrants to the state's economy. "YOU are what keeps the Commonwealth working. And our legislators need to know that they cannot take your vote for granted."

"Immigrants Day at the State House" Coming Monday, April 9

Executive Vice-President of 1199SEIU keynote speaker at largest immigrant advocacy day of year

4/4/12 BOSTON -- The largest immigrant advocacy day of the year will take place on Monday April 9 as more than 500 immigrants and advocates fill the Gardner Auditorium for the 16th annual Immigrants Day at the State House. This year's keynote speaker will be Veronica Turner-Biggs, Executive Vice-President of 1199SEIU, MA Region. Ms. Turner-Biggs served as a rank and file member at Boston Medical Center before becoming the first African-American female elected as the head of a major union in Massachusetts.

The event also includes three immigrant success stories, a cultural presentation, and a candidates' forum for the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race. All major candidates — incumbent Senator Scott Brown and candidates Marisa DeFranco and Elizabeth Warren — have been invited.

Advocates Clarify Issue of Health Coverage Enrollment for Immigrants

Health Care for All and MIRA urge 37,400 documented immigrants who now qualify for Commonwealth Care to enroll or seek guidance

4/3/12 BOSTON - Today, representatives of Health Care For All (HCFA) and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) gathered to highlight the eligibility and enrollment process for the estimated 37,400 documented immigrants who now qualify for CommonwealthCare.

“We are really excited that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed our vision of health care as a right for all residents and we are committed to enrolling every single eligible individual into CommonwealthCare,” said Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, Executive Director of Health Care For All. “Some of our HelpLine callers are confused about the enrollment process. We are here today to make sure people understand what they are eligible for and how they can start getting their health benefits.”

Health Law Advocates won this landmark legal victory on behalf of the class that sued the Commonwealth when state budget cuts included removing special status immigrants from the Commonwealth Care program and created a limited health plan known as the Bridge program.

Press Conference Tomorrow on Immigrant Health Care Eligibility

Health Care for All, MIRA and community members to explain urgent enrollment issue

WHO:

Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, Executive Director - Health Care For All
Eva Millona, Executive Director - MIRA Coalition
Nicole Sammarco, President - Haitian American Organization for Social Economic Development (available for interviews in Haitian Creole)
Documented immigrants who are now eligible for Commonwealth Care

CesaríaReynoso (available for interviews in Spanish)
FlaviaPortinho (available for interviews in Portuguese)

WHAT: Groups that advocate for health care access and immigrants’ rights will hold a press conference to clarify eligibility and responsibilities of the beneficiaries of the Massachusetts Supreme Court Ruling, which will allow the enrollment of thousands of documented immigrants in Commonwealth Care in the next few weeks.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 3rd

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

WHERE: Health Care For All – 9^th Floor Conference Room

30 Winter St.

Boston, MA 02108