IN THE COURTS
U.S. will consider new applications for DACA for the first time in years For the first time in four years, the federal government plans to begin processing initial applications for DACA, the Obama-era program that grants deportation protection and work permits to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. The move, outlined in a proposal Monday by the Justice Department, would reopen DACA to first-time applicants in every state except Texas. The proposal was filed in response to an ongoing lawsuit in U.S. district court in Brownsville, Tex. See this week’s Policy Updates for more information
Taxpayer and Immigrant Advocates Sue ICE, IRS, and Social Security Administration to Stop Information Sharing Taxpayer and immigrants’ rights advocates today filed a lawsuit asking for a block of the receipt and use of tax-related data by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA). A newly- disclosed agreement between SSA and ICE reveals plans to share personal and financial information on 50,000 immigrants each month. This quota is the latest in a dangerous pattern of information-sharing uncovered by advocates over the past several months. Since February, ICE has requested information on millions of taxpayers, and the agencies have collectively released the home addresses of more than 100,000 people. – Asian Law Caucus
Worcester mother detained by ICE in high-profile arrest granted asylum Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira has been in custody since May. DHS has 30 days to appeal the judge’s decision, during which she will remain in custody in New Hampshire. – Boston.com
Massachusetts: Restaurant manager freed after more than 100 days in ICE detention Paul Dama, a Nigerian and manager of the Suya Joint restaurant chain, was released last week after over 100 days in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. An immigration judge granted him asylum, finding he would face political persecution if returned to Nigeria, according to his attorney Abeba Attles, who provided this information to MassLive. Before coming to the United States in 2019, Dama worked as a journalist at the Nigerian Television Authority. In 2018, he was kidnapped and held for four days by Boko Haram, then freed after his family raised a $13,000 ransom, according to reporting from The Boston Globe. – CTN
IN THE COMMUNITY
Worcester Council says no to potential partnership between ICE, police department The City of Worcester will not allow its police department to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the city council declared on Tuesday. The Worcester City Council voted 8-2 on a resolution opposing any pursuit or consideration of a 287(g) agreement between the city and ICE. – MassLive
Demonstrations held across NYC for Stand Against ICE Day of Action New Yorkers citywide took part Saturday in what was called the “Stand Against ICE Day of Action,” full of peaceful demonstrations and canvassing events. This follows a series of events from the past few days fueling outrage over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s practices. Demonstrators marched down Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn and packed Sunset Park for one of eight events held across the city, started by members of the City Council Progressive Caucus. CBS News
A daughter becomes a lifeline for her parents as immigration enforcement intensifies in Chicago Trump’s deportation campaign is forcing some immigrants to isolate at home, but relatives, friends and strangers are stepping up to try to keep them connected. –The Chicago Sun-Times
Learn more about 287g agreements, why they are harmful, and what you can do to support statewide legislation to end them:
INSPIRATION AND WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
March with MIRA at HONK!
Celebrate and advocate in community – there is a place for joy in resistance.
Ask your state legislators to co-sponsor and support the Immigrant Legal Defense Act, and the Safe Communities Act.
We’ve won the support of many legislators, but we need many more to get these bills across the finish line this session! More information on these bills
Oppose a sweeping overreach in voter-registration bureaucracy before October 20.
The 60-day window to leave a comment closes on October 20. Stephen Miller’s law firm has petitioned the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, after federal courts blocked a similar provision in the president’s March executive order on elections. Such a requirement would impose expensive burdens on a vast number of Americans, including the 47% of citizens who don’t have a passport, the millions of married women whose names no longer match their birth certificates, and everyone who has moved and needs to request an original birth certificate from the state where they were born.
Submit a comment: On the Federal Register (click the green box labeled “Submit a comment”) opposing the new rule before October 20. Use your own words (copy/paste content is rejected) to submit a unique comment about why this issue matters to you. Note: All submissions must include the agency name (“Election Assistance Commission”) and “Docket ID: EAC-2025-0236” for this rulemaking.
Source: Americans of Conscience Checklist
Oppose extreme immigration legislation.
Contact: Your two senators (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, my name is _____, contacting you from [ZIP] to oppose H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, which would impose extreme prison sentences on people seeking asylum, work, or reunification with their families—not due to violent crimes, but because of the way they entered the U.S. This bill would further dehumanize aspiring Americans, fuel mass incarceration, and divert resources that should be used for legitimate emergencies and public safety concerns. Sen. [NAME] must vote “NO” on H.R. 3486 when it comes to the Senate floor.
Alternate: Fill out the ACLU’s form to send a message to your senators (uncheck the “Sign me up” and “I agree” boxes).
Source: ACLU
OCT 18 – participate in NO KINGS DAY national day of action
October 18 is a national day of action, building on the success of the June 14 “No Kings” protests that drew more than five million participants. There are many ways to protest that don’t involve marching in the streets, including amplifying the #NoKings message on social media, displaying a light (LED or candle) in your window nightly to show solidarity, and sharing factual information on the rights of protesters and the rights of anyone approached by immigration enforcement.
For You
Check out United We Dream’s UNDOCUHEALTH Initiative
Includes resources like the Resilience and Community Care Toolkit: The UndocuHealth Initiative will walk you through and provide toolkits to facilitate and inform our community. Things like music-ivism, artivism, and breathing practices is what will transform these anxieties and insecurities into something positive!