IN THE COURTS
R.I., Mass., among states suing Trump administration over immigration status-based restrictions to safety net programs Twenty states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop it from restricting access to health, education, and social service programs based on immigration status.
Connecticut sues Trump administration over new immigration rules at health clinics Connecticut is joining a lawsuit against new rules that would require immigration-status verification at health clinics and other safety-net programs.
Proposed health equity legislation aims to decrease disparities across Massachusetts A sweeping omnibus bill at the State House would target widespread health reform across the state, looking to change how the public and private entities across the state approach health care access, insurance and workforce. The bill, officially called An Act to Advance Health Equity, saw its legislative hearing before the State House’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing July 15.
Judge Approves Release of Iranian Arrested in Louisiana After U.S. Bombed Iran Pouria Pourhosseinhendabad, a doctoral student studying mechanical engineering at Louisiana State University, was arrested along with his wife in what his lawyers called “an unconstitutional ruse.”
MIRA joined leaders from the MassSpeaks Coalition—including Mass Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Appleseed, and the Justice Center of Southeast MA—and stood alongside community members to testify in support of the Language Access and Inclusion Act (S.2125/H.3384). This bill would ensure public-facing state agencies can serve limited English proficient residents equitably, making our government more accessible and inclusive for all.
photo: MIRA’s Director of Advocacy Gilberto Calderin testifying at the State House
IN THE COMMUNITY
Photo: Cambridge MA rally on Tuesday protesting the recent ICE abductions of 3 community members
Boston Globe: Boston voters resoundingly support limits on police cooperation with Trump deportation efforts, Suffolk/Globe poll shows
Nearly 80 percent of Boston voters say they have at least a somewhat favorable view of that policy, with more than 62 percent saying they have a “strongly favorable” opinion of the Trust Act, according to the poll of 500 likely Boston voters.
Gallup: Surge in U.S. Concern About Immigration Has Abated Americans have grown markedly more positive toward immigration over the past year, with the share wanting immigration reduced dropping from 55% in 2024 to 30% today. At the same time, a record-high 79% of U.S. adults say immigration is a good thing for the country.These shifts reverse a four-year trend of rising concern about immigration that began in 2021 and reflect changes among all major party groups.
Polls show Americans disapprove of immigration enforcement approach and favor “humane, balanced immigration reform.”: Navigator research poll: https://navigatorresearch.org/americans-look-for-humanitarian-balanced-immigration-reform/
CBS News poll finds support for Trump’s deportation program falls
Resistance 2.0 protests get louder and more organized Protests against the Trump administration’s policies have built up to a focused, organized movement. Why it matters: After a quiet stretch in the months following President Trump’s election victory, the streets are buzzing again. Demonstrations are growing in size, in frequency, and in coordination. “The idea of protest as an effective tool regained its footing,” says Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
‘ Good Trouble’ protests against Trump’s deportations and health care cuts held nationwide Protests and events against President Donald Trump’s controversial policies that include mass deportations and cuts to Medicaid and other safety nets for poor people took place Thursday 7/17 at more than 1,600 locations around the country. The “Good Trouble Lives On” national day of action honors the late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis.
CO: Protesters rally against ICE in Colorado Springs
CA: Local nonprofits launch Sacramento RISE Hub to support immigrant communities
WA: King County ramps up efforts to protect immigrants from ICE The King County Council passed a resolution Tuesday that bolsters protections for immigrants and prevents county agencies from sharing information that could be used for immigration enforcement.
Miami archbishop slams Everglades immigrant detention site as ‘unbecoming’ and ‘corrosive’ Archbishop Thomas Wenski criticized the remote location of the detention site called “Alligator Alcatraz” and the rhetoric surrounding it.
INSPIRATION AND WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
Host or join a Family First rally on July 26
On Saturday, July 26th, American families in every corner of the country will come together in peaceful marches, rallies and events to say: our families come first, and we will protect each other.
In all 50 states and Washington DC, we will put care over the cruel cuts and attacks on families that we’re seeing from Congress and the White House. We’re committing to ensuring that every one of our friends and neighbors knows they are not alone, and hears what’s at stake for families in our country right now.
Sign up to host or attend an event NOW to fight for our families and our future.
Register for the Boston rally hosted by SEIU here
Young Poet Wins 2025 Creative Writing Award, Paying Tribute to Refugees
The American Immigration Council honored Luu Ly, an 11-year-old attending the Chapin School in New York City, with its 28th annual Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest award, which honors the immigrant experience.
Luu’s poem, “American Poem,” narrates her grandparents’ escape from Vietnam during the war, describing how they settled down as refugees in a small town in Louisiana. While they initially encountered hostility and suspicion, her grandmother went to become one of the first Vietnamese American teachers in the community, and helped build up a greater sense of belonging among their neighbors by sharing her family spring roll recipe. Luu still makes her grandmother’s spring rolls today, remembering her grandmother’s motto: “roll forward, always forward.” Read the poem here.
FOR YOU
Dancing! A review of studies shows that dance, compared to pure physical exercise, strengthens motivation, memory and well-being more effectively
More information about the Summer Dance Party Series here
Celebrate Minority Mental Health Month AND Self-Care Day by utilizing this Self-Care Toolkit from the World Health Organization
