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Author: Farah Jeune

Featured Author: Farah Jeune

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

STATEMENT: Standing Up for Welcome in Massachusetts 

News

September 6th, 2023 Rooted in the value of inclusion, MIRA Coalition’s vision is a Commonwealth – and a nation – where all can thrive, no matter where they came from or how they got here, and all can fully participate in their community’s social, economic, and civic life. As new immigrants have arrived in Massachusetts, … Continued

STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Condemns White Supremacy Rally in Woburn

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August 28, 2023   Boston, MA – On Saturday, August 26, a neo-Nazi white supremacist hate group, National Socialist Club 131 (NCS-131), rallied against recent international arrivals housed by the state at a hotel in Woburn. In response, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, issued the following statement. … Continued

Governor Healey, Speaker Mariano Celebrate Immigrant and Refugee Rights at 27th Annual Immigrants Day at the State House

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State leaders joined policymakers and advocates at the MIRA Coalition’s yearly event, celebrating new beginnings for immigrants and refugees across the Commonwealth Boston, MA – Governor Maura Healey and Speaker Ron Mariano, as well as state legislators and immigrants rights advocates, joined the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition to celebrate recent expansions of immigrant … Continued

STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Issues Statement on Proposed Housing and Educational Support for Recent Arrivals

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Boston, MA – In response to Governor Healey’s supplemental budget bill filing to support recent arrivals, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition issued the following statement:   “We applaud Governor Healey for swiftly proposing $85 million to provide emergency housing and education support for the rapidly growing number of international arrivals coming … Continued

MEDIA ADVISORY: State Legislators, Advocates to Hold Press Conference in Support of Legislation Expanding Non-English Language State Resources

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Boston, MA – A coalition of policymakers, immigrant rights advocates, and directly-impacted individuals will host a press conference next Wednesday to advocate for the expansion of non-English language resources in the state’s public-facing state agencies: a move that would empower hundreds of thousands of limited English proficient speakers in Massachusetts. Policymakers and advocates will use … Continued

STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Issues Statement on Proposed Funding Increase for Immigrant and Refugee Support

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  Boston, MA – In response to Governor Baker’s recent $139 million supplemental funding bill filing to support immigrant and refugee arrivals, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition issued the following statement:   “We are grateful that the Baker administration is seeking to set aside $130 million in funding to bolster access to emergency … Continued

STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Issues Statement on U.S. District Court Ruling Striking Down Title 42

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  Boston, MA – In response to the ruling by the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia striking down the Title 42 policy, Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition issued the following statement: “We welcome the ruling from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia striking down … Continued

STATEMENT: MIRA Coalition Applauds State Expansion of Non-English Language Resources at RMV

News

  Boston, MA – In response to Governor Baker’s approval of the Economic Development Bill – which included a provision expanding language access resources for non-English speakers – Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition issued the following statement: “The MIRA Coalition is thrilled that, for the first time, … Continued