 Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition It’s Time for Legislators to Deliver for Immigrants!  In Washington and on Beacon Hill, it’s time for our representatives and legislative allies to show their commitment to immigrants and to people of color. Both Congress and the Massachusetts legislature are now considering legislation that would change and uplift the lives of immigrants everywhere: Congress allocated $100 billion toward immigration in the current reconciliation bill. Our legislators must use this opportunity to create a path to citizenship for our undocumented communities. Legislators are debating options that would only provide temporary work permits and protection from deportation through parole. But MIRA supports a proposed path to citizenship through the “registry” process, which granted green cards to millions of immigrants without status in the 1980s and could be extended again.Here in Massachusetts, Haitian frontline organizations are hopeful that the state Senate will allocate ARPA funds for resettlement assistance to the hundreds of Haitian families that have arrived in Massachusetts in recent weeks.Lawmakers also have the opportunity to pass the hugely popular Work and Family Mobility Act, which would allow all qualified state residents to apply for a standard driver’s license, regardless of immigrant status.The Safe Communities Act is still pending before state lawmakers. It’s a critical bill that would allow immigrants and their families to safely access police and court protection, as well as medical care, without fear of deportation. Finally, state lawmakers have a once-in-a-decade chance to correct decades of gerrymandering on the South Coast by ensuring that proposed Congressional district maps unify the New Bedford and Fall River into a single district that builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities. All these initiatives require political will and bravery. It’s time for legislators to take action. Immigrants can’t wait! – Get Involved! – Support the Pathway to Citizenship!  We’ve created an action that makes it simple and easy for you to let members of Congress know how important doing the right thing for our immigrant communities is, and to urge them to do everything they can to ensure that the final reconciliation bill includes a pathway to citizenship for as many of our community members as possible. Join Today! Help Us Make Safe Communities a Reality! Help protect immigrants here in Massachusetts – Sign the Safe Communities Coalition petition today! Passing the Safe Communities Act will communicate loud and clear that in Massachusetts, everyone can seek help, protections and treatment without fear of deportation. This is a message that immigrant communities desperately need to hear. You can also join us on November 18th for a Safe Communities Act Virtual Town Hall at 3:30PM! The event will feature immigrant workers, immigrant survivors of domestic violence, and advocates talking about why the passage of the Safe Communities Act is essential and what you can do to take action. Interpretation will be provided. Sign up at bit.ly/scath21. Get Involved With Redistricting!  The Redistricting Committee Co-Chairs released their draft maps for Congress and Governor’s Council this week. While the Congressional map adopts Drawing Democracy’s recommendation to make Fall River whole, it fails to unite the immigrant communities of Fall River and New Bedford in the same district. You can make your voice heard and ask the Committee to unite Fall River and New Bedford by testifying at the public hearing on Tuesday, November 9th at 11 am, submitting written comments through the 9th, and/or emailing your legislators. – Announcements – Congratulations to MIRA Board Member Mossik Hacobian, who was honored at the Thompson Island Outward Bound’s Evening Expedition Gala with the North Star Award for his service in Boston and on behalf of immigrants around the Commonwealth.  Mossik has served as Executive Director of Higher Ground Boston, a non-profit organization focused on bringing resources and services to Boston’s most challenged neighborhoods, for more than 10 years. – News – – Associated Press: Massachusetts lawmakers release congressional district map – Boston Globe: Michelle Wu wins historic Boston mayor’s race, marking a new era for the city Immigrant groups coalition demands Michelle Wu ‘engage Boston’s Black and brown immigrant communities with the respect they deserve’  MIRA Member Spotlight – Each week, we’ll be using this space to spotlight our outstanding MIRA members and the work they do for their communities. This week, we’re highlighting Casa Myrna! Casa Myrna is Boston’s largest provider of shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, providing safety, resources, advocacy and information since 1977. Casa Myrna was founded in 1977 by neighborhood activists in Boston’s South End to provide a safe haven for women and their children who were being abused by their husbands and partners. The organization was named for Myrna Vázquez, an actress and activist who organized members of South End’s Puerto Rican community around housing, education and civil rights. Each year, Casa Myrna serves over 1,600 survivors through three residential programs, housing assistance and advocacy, financial literacy education and job readiness, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy and representation, children’s services, and community-based advocacy. Thank You! Don’t forget to follow us on Social Media!Donate to MIRA Today!Want to change how you receive these emails?You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |