Spring Into Action! MIRA’s Annual Immigrants’ Rights Conference March 13, 2026
Join us on March 13, 2026 at Boston University and Spring Into Action with MIRA Coalition at our annual immigrant rights conference! The Spring Into Action Conference is focused on education and advocacy. In preparation for our annual lobbying day, Immigrants Day at the State House, MIRA Coalition member organizations and those active in the immigrant rights space gather at the conference to share our legislative priorities, develop our advocacy skills, network with other members, and celebrate our communities. This year we are offering 8 total workshops along 2 tracks, focused on sustaining yourself and your organization and movement building. Together, we are leading with courage over fear.
If you’re interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to Ana Cristina via email at achavezandonie@miracoalition.org
For general questions, contact Dawn at dmiller@miracoalition.org
9am – Registration
10am – Welcome remarks:
Monique Tú Nguyen (Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement)
10:10am – Opening plenary
State level framing of the immigrant rights landscape:
Ragini Shah (Suffolk University)
Pastor Keke
Jessica Santos (Leah Zallman Center)
Iván Espinoza-Madrigal (Lawyers for Civil Rights)
10:45am – Wellness Moment
11am – First workshop sessions:
Vent and Tend: Self-care and Secondary Trauma: A’dahi Baira Delgado
Strengthening Community-based Legal Programs:
Winfred Anyangu (NAAM)
Patricia Sobalvarro (Agencia Alpha)
Eva Marques (NEJFON)
The Importance of Data in Immigrant-Focused Programs, Policymaking, and Advocacy:
Patricia Desert (Save Souls)
Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba (Children’s HealthWatch)
Carley Ruemmele (Children’s HealthWatch)
12pm – Lunch and networking time
1pm – Keynote panel
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
Mufalo Chitam (Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition)
Eréndira ‘Ere’ Rendón (Resurrection Project in Chicago)
2pm – Immigrants Day at the State House: Our Advocacy Priorities as a Coalition:
Laila Martin Garcia (National Partnership for New Americans)
State Representative Manny Cruz
Gilberto Calderin (MIRA Coalition)
2:30pm – Presentation of the 2nd annual Christine Ntagengwa Leadership Award
3:15pm – Second workshop sessions:
Melting ICE: Building Community Resistance:
Jaya Aiyer (APIsCAN, LUCE)
Annie Gonzales (BIJAN)
Jen Klein (CPCS, MACI)
Funding Immigrant Services: Strategies that Meet the Moment:
Marty Martinez (United Way)
Paola Miranda (Hyams Foundation)
Megan Reilly (The Clowes Fund)
Emerging Research In Our Communities:
Belén Zúñiga (University of Massachusetts Boston)
Danielle Chun (Leah Zallman Center)