MIRA: Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Inc.

09/07/2026

Thank you Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia Velazquez (D-NY-7) for introducing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution earlier this summer. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution overturns the Trump administration’s policy that bans green card holders from accessing essential Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to start and grow their businesses and invest in the economy.

“Immigrant-owned businesses are the foundation of the American economy. They power our neighborhoods, provide essential services, and employ our loved ones. Yet, systemic hurdles like the Small Business Administration’s citizenship restrictions unfairly block their path to prosperity... We applaud Senator Markey’s continued leadership and look forward to a future where immigrant entrepreneurs can share their ingenuity without arbitrary restrictions that hold us all back.”
~ Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition.

09/07/2026

"Massachusetts will need about 64,000 immigrants entering Massachusetts annually between 2026 and 2030 to prevent the labor force from contracting...Without these newcomers, Massachusetts will face not only slower population growth, but an outright contraction in the number of working-age residents available to support the broader economy."

Read the Full report by Boston Indicators
➡️ https://www.bostonindicators.org/imm_workforce

09/06/2026

📍Online event
🗓️Wednesday, September 9 @ 4 PM - 6 PM EDT
➡️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/twefeeko-2026-speak-up-today-stand-strong-against-hiv-and-hepatitis-b-tickets-1998434350940
Join health advocates at the Twefeeko 2026! Let's come together to raise awareness, break stigma, and empower each other to stand strong against HIV and Hepatitis B.

Multicultural AIDS Coalition Hepatitis B Foundation

09/05/2026

OFFICE OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT 🎒BACK TO SCHOOL BLAST

✨Giveway items, games, food and family fun!

📅 Friday, September 11, 2026
⏰ 3-7PM
📍Harambee Park, 930 Blue Hill Ave, Boston MA 02124
More Information email ➡️ [email protected]

09/05/2026

🚨 Weekly Immigration Policy Updates as of September 4, 2026

➡️ Read more Policy Updates on our website
https://miracoalition.org/news/category/news-events/policy_updates/

➡️ SIGN UP for our Weekly Bulletin to read more immigration policy updates, learn about community events, find resources, and more! bit.ly/MIRA_Weekly_Bulletin

09/04/2026

In August, the Board of Immigration Appeals — the nation’s highest immigration court under the Department of Justice — ruled that immigrants who have accrued more than 180 days of “unlawful presence” who then leave the country on advance parole would trigger a three- or 10-year bar on admissibility back into the U.S.

The decision forces some immigrants in the U.S. to risk abandoning pending green card applications, and the prospect of being unable to re-enter the country.

“Most people do seem to think that if you traveled before the date of this decision, then this shouldn’t apply to you. You should be in the clear. But the administration might interpret this decision differently,” said Sarang Sekhavat, chief of staff for the MIRA Coalition, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization that defends the rights of immigrants. “Part of the question is whether you’re allowed into the country at all, but also whether you can then apply for a green card or you’re barred from that.”

Read more ⤵️

Some Massachusetts immigrants could risk losing their green card if they leave the country for a short time, often for family emergencies, under a new rule governing how immigration officials view “advance parole.”

09/04/2026

📣 Free English Classes

A Faith That Does Justice will accept applications until September 7th (Labor Day) for their Fall 2026 free adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes.

• Two-hour ESOL classes will run twice weekly for 15 weeks beginning September 21.
Classes will end on February 3, 2027.
• Both in-person and virtual (Zoom) class sessions will be offered.
• Individuals must register to participate in the sessions.

Scan the QR code or register here ➡️ https://faith-justice.org/esol/ -24204

09/04/2026

📣 Free English Classes

St. Mark Community Education Program is offering free English classes this fall.

There will be in-person and online classes.

Register by September 7th (Labor Day) on ➡️ www.stmarksesol.org

09/04/2026

On August 30th, MIRA participated in the Multicultural Festival in Everett. Thank you to our volunteer, Felipe Bogsan, for representing MIRA and staffing our resource table!

Our Executive Director, Liz Sweet, also gave a speech during the event and it was beautiful to see the array of flags and cultures being celebrated ❤️

09/03/2026

Join the FREE 'Back to school' and community health fair on Sep 5, 2026 organized by Dominican Development Center!

📍10 Mozart Street Boston, MA 02130
⏰ 12pm - 4pm