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Featured Tag: Federal Policy

Policy Updates – 10/22/2026

DHS indefinitely extended TPS for Ukraine and Sudan on Monday; those with protections will retain status for the time being. TPS for these countries was set to expire on October 19, but the agency declined to announce any decision on the future of over 100,000 people impacted, only saying that an announcement “will be made … Continued

Advancing Policy Solutions for Immigrant Mental Health

Immigrant and refugee families in Massachusetts are carrying an enormous weight. Increased enforcement, the loss of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many families, including many with children who are U.S. citizens, and constant federal policy shifts are taking a real toll on mental health. Meanwhile, people seeking help face long wait times, language gaps, insurance … Continued

TPS for Ukraine and Sudan still valid

TPS for Ukraine and Sudan still valid Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections are still in effect for TPS holders from Ukraine and Sudan. The TPS designation for Ukraine and Sudan was set to expire on October 19, 2026. However, the Trump Administration has not announced whether the designation will be terminated or extended. Until further … Continued

A victory for American values on ‘public charge’ – but the fight continues

BOSTON, October 11, 2019 – Today U.S. District Court Judge George B. Daniels issued a temporary injunction against the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule, preventing the rule from taking effect as scheduled on Oct. 15. The rule would define any immigrant who uses certain health, nutrition or housing programs as a “public charge,” and enables federal officials to turn … Continued

Refugees in transit

Amid a global displacement crisis, we must stand up for refugees

BOSTON, September 27, 2019 – The Trump administration has set a cap of 18,000 for refugee admissions in the fiscal year that begins next Tuesday. This is a record low for the modern U.S. refugee resettlement program – and less than one-fifth the average over the program’s four-decade history. As of Sept. 20, more than 29,800 refugees had been admitted to … Continued

MassCounts rally on the State House steps

‘We will not waver’: MIRA, community leaders respond to Census decision

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a partial victory to challengers of the citizenship question in the 2020 U.S. Census, saying the Secretary of Commerce was legally allowed to add the question, but calling his rationale “contrived” and unsupported by the evidence. The Court thus remanded the case, leaving it up to the Secretary to … Continued

MIRA, Dreamers and TPS holders hail historic U.S. House vote

The U.S. House of Representatives tonight approved the Dream and Promise Act, H.R. 6, which would provide permanent residency and a path to citizenship for more than 2.5 million immigrants across the nation, including over 45,000 in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts delegation was unanimous in its support, and as chair of the House Rules Committee, U.S. Rep. … Continued

Immigration proposal doubles down on hard-right positions

Today President Trump announced a new immigration proposal that reflects his long-standing priorities, including a shift from family-based to “merit-based” legal immigration, weakening of protections for asylum-seekers, and more investments in his border wall. Based on the details reported so far, MIRA Executive Eva A. Millona has the following comment: “The proposal outlined today offers … Continued

Dream-and-Promise-Act-press-conference

Dream and Promise Act is an important step forward for Congress

Today on Capitol Hill, House leadership unveiled H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act, which would provide permanent protection and a path to citizenship to Dreamers and people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). The bill, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Lucille Royce-Allard (D-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY), builds on … Continued

White House proposal cannot be taken seriously

The President continues to demand $5.7 billion for a wall in exchange for ending the shutdown, and his offers on DACA and TPS are woefully inadequate. Today President Trump offered a proposal to end the government shutdown, now on its 29th day, by exchanging the $5.7 billion he has demanded for a border wall – … Continued

An important reprieve for TPS holders – but Congress still must act

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen granted a preliminary injunction preventing the federal government from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Sudan, El Salvador, Haiti and Nicaragua. The ruling, in a case filed last March by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and other advocates, provides a much-needed reprieve for hundreds of thousands … Continued

Tom-OBrien-MBIC-launch

Business leaders launch coalition to advance sensible immigration policies

Leaders from some of Massachusetts’ top business sectors came together today to launch the Massachusetts Business Coalition on Immigration, focused on advancing federal and state policies that enable talent from around the world to continue to thrive in our Commonwealth. “From high tech to construction, health care to hospitality, immigrants are vital to Massachusetts’ economy,” … Continued