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MIRA POLICY UPDATE

Policy Updates – 9/17/26

With the administration’s new Public Charge rule set to go into effect on September 18, 22 states filed suit in federal court earlier this week in order to stop the rule. In their complaint, the states argue that the new rule “removes any meaningful guidance” regarding what USCIS officers may consider and that the administration … Continued

Hispanic Heritage Month: The Freedom We Carry Across Borders Contributed by Luciano Paskevicius, Family Advocate & Community Ambassador, Lowell Alliance

Hispanic Heritage Month: The Freedom We Carry Across Borders

En español The Freedom We Carry Across Borders contributed by Luciano Paskevicius, Lowell Alliance When people speak about Hispanic Heritage Month, the conversation often turns to food, music, language, and traditions. Those things matter, but for me, heritage lives somewhere deeper. It lives in the values and political ideas we carry from one generation to … Continued

POLICE ICE

Community Readiness in the Face of ICE Arrests

President Trump campaigned on a threat to deport one million immigrants from this country per year.  We saw an ongoing escalation of the numbers of immigrants targeted in Massachusetts throughout 2025 and continuing into early this year, but still well below deporting one million people.  However, this is beginning to change. Over this past year … Continued

Back to School: What Immigrant Families Should Know

As immigration enforcement increases across the country and protections such as Temporary Protected Status end for some countries, many immigrant families are living with fear and uncertainty. That fear is affecting whether some children make it to school. Recent data show that 17% of parents cited ICE activity near schools as a barrier to attendance. And that … Continued

MIRA MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE ADVOCACY COALITION

Black boys deserve to grow old: In memory of Pierre Damas Bel written by MIRA’s Communications Specialist, Farah Jeune

How Trump’s immigration policies are impacting the mental health of our immigrant community members #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth Written by MIRA’s Communications Specialist, Farah Jeune Last Monday, August 31st  Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year old student from Haiti, committed suicide by walking into traffic on an interstate highway in Springfield, Ohio. Pierre previously had Temporary Protected Status (TPS) … Continued

Back To School Season Is Here – A Message from MIRA Coalition’s Access & Resource Specialist Catherine Ramirez Mejia, MPP

  My youngest sister is returning to school this week to begin her senior year. It feels like yesterday she was beginning kindergarten. There’s a trend where seniors wear a backpack with the cartoon character from their childhood. She was trying to decide between a My Little Pony, Dora the Explorer, or Power Rangers backpack, … Continued

Policy Update Federal

Policy Updates 8/21/2026

USCIS released new guidance on what it means to be a Public Charge this week. The agency had previously issued a new rule that effectively removed existing regulations on how the agency would adjudicate the question, and advocates have been waiting for this new guidance to understand what new restrictions the administration would be placing … Continued

make a plan Vote for a better future

Make a Plan to Vote in the Massachusetts Primary Election

Voting is one of the most important ways we can make our voices heard and help shape the future of our communities. While presidential and other federal elections often receive the most attention, the decisions that affect our everyday lives are made at every level of government. Local and state leaders make decisions about our … Continued