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Statement September 13 2024 : Springfield OH

The false propaganda, hateful language and threats of violence facing the Haitian community of Springfield, Ohio is absolutely sickening and unacceptable. Haitian immigrants who have made America their new home are seeking a better life for themselves and their families, which only makes our nation stronger. We will always stand by the Haitian community, whether they’re in … Continued

Conquering With Love – Community Response in Springfield OH

It has been a rough couple of weeks for immigrant communities around the country. Baseless accusations of criminality among immigrant populations has led to unbearable harassment and actual criminality from anti-immigrant forces, with Haitian communities facing horrific vitriol and abuse. But while much of the nation’s attention has been focused on the racist attacks against … Continued

Presidential Debate Recap and Federal Policy Updates

While immigration, and the lives of thousands of families, has proven to be a polarizing issue in the upcoming election, this Tuesday’s presidential debate showed that the national conversation lacks any serious discussion about either facts or policy solutions. The stage was set before the debate when Senator and Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance spread … Continued

MIRA Coalition to receive additional grant of $1.8 million to support organizations aiding immigrant and refugee arrivals

Initial 2023-2024 grant helped over 800 immigrant households receive key services  Boston, MA – After successfully providing more than 800 immigrant households with key services including asylum application assistance, work authorization application assistance, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) application assistance, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition is now sub-granting $1.8 million to 15 … Continued

Update on the Massachusetts Shelter Crisis: Families Left Without Shelter Sleep Outside Wollaston MBTA Station

The recent changes to the Massachusetts Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter system have directly led to a worsening crisis, exemplified by 50 Haitian immigrants, including children and infants, sleeping outside the Wollaston MBTA station in Quincy. These changes, introduced by the Healey Administration at the beginning of August, have drastically limited access to state shelters, forcing … Continued

Federal Update: Parole In Place

On Monday, the Biden Administration began accepting applications for the new Parole in Place program that would reduce barriers to a green card for 500,000 people across the country (see MIRA’s Fact Sheet). While the new “Parole in Place” program does not create a new pathway to US citizenship (only Congress can do that), it … Continued

MIRA Coalition to Receive Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds to Improve Immigrant and Refugee Access to Healthcare 

Boston, MA – As a part of their effort to bolster access to equitable healthcare and confront systemic barriers to care, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has announced the 2024 awards of the Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds (the Funds).  With these awards, DPH, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) … Continued

State Policy Updates – formal legislative session ends with PPA in limbo, state budget delivers on policy, but restrained on funding

Formal legislative session ends with PPA in limbo The formal legislative session ended last week without House and Senate negotiators reaching agreement on a number of major pending bills – including the economic development bond bill (the Mass Leads Act) that contained Physician Pathway Act legislation, a MIRA priority that enjoyed remarkable progress and support … Continued