Subject: From Massachusetts: MIRA Bulletin 14 July 2009: We Won't Wait!
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:23:06
From: dorinda moreno <fuerzamundial@gmail.com>
To: <fsoults@miracoalition.org>,Local/National/Global <Community4ImmigrantRights@yahoogroups.com>,Immigrant Solidarity Network <isn@lists.riseup.net>,National Alliance Immigration Rights Coordinating Committee <NAIR_CC@googlegroups.com>
On 8/15/09, MIRA Coalition < fsoults@miracoalition.org > wrote:
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
MIRA Bulletin 14 August 2009
Dear MIRA Members and Supporters,
In remarks from Mexico this Monday, President Obama stated that he expects to
have a draft immigration bill in Congress by the end of 2009, though he
confirmed that healthcare and other issues would be dealt with first. We are
confident that the president will keep his word and push for an immigration
reform bill in Congress this year. (In confirmation, I received word today that Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano will be meeting at the White House next Thursday, August 19, with 130 immigration reform stakeholders, including Ali Noorani of the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign and former Executive Director of MIRA). But we also understand the frustration many
feel with the spin in much of the press, claiming that this means Obama has
admitted immigration reform will have to wait.
We at MIRA know that waiting isn't an option. We will continue to tour
Massachusetts and Rhode Island in our "On The Road to 279" Campaign,
which is now being co-sponsored by SEIU 615, an invaluable member
of our coalition. We invite you all to come to the next meeting in your area,
as we inform our communities about the pressing need for immigration
reform. For more information about future meetings, please see below.
I would like to further invite you to work with SEIU and MIRA as we hold
citizenship drives in Boston and Springfield. We will be
helping eligible immigrants apply for citizenship, so they can prove the
power of their communities here in Massachusetts. SEIU 615 and MIRA will
kick-off the drive with a press conference on September 17th, Citizenship
Day. I look forward to seeing you there.
As always, my deepest thanks for your support.
Sincerely,
Eva A. Millona
Executive
Director ------------------
Estimados
miembros de Mira y partidarios,
En
observaciones en México este lunes, presidente Obama dijo que espere tener un
anteproyecto de ley sobre inmigración en el congreso a fines del 2009, aunque
confirmó que la reforma de salud y otras temas tienen primer importancia.
Tenemos confianza que el presidente guardará su promesa y empujará por un
proyecto de ley sobre la reforma inmigratoria este año. (En confirmación,
recibí noticia hoy que secretaria de seguridad nacional Janet Napolitano se
juntará el 19 de agosto con 130 interesados, incluyendo Ali Noorani de la
campaña Reforma Inmigratoria PRO América y antiguo director ejecutivo de MIRA).
Pero entendemos la frustración que muchos sienten con los reportes en la
prensa, diciendo que este comentario indique que el presidente admite que la
reforma inmigratoria tiene que esperar.
Nosotros
en MIRA sabemos que esperar no es opción. Continuaremos a viajar por
Massachussets y Rhode Island en nuestra campaña "En El Camino a 279," junto
ahora con nuestra copatrocinador SEI 615, un miembro invaluable de nuestra
coalición. Les invitemos a todos a asistir a nuestra reunión próxima en su
área, donde estaremos informando a nuestras comunidades acerca de la necesidad
por reforma inmigratoria. Para mas información acerca de reuniones en el
futuro, favor de ver abajo.
Me
gustaría también invitarle a trabajar con SEIU y MIRA en nuestra campaña de
ciudadanía en Boston y Springfield. Estaremos ayudando a inmigrantes elegibles
a aplicar para su ciudadanía, para que pueden demostrar el poder de sus
comunidades aquí en Massachussets. SEIU 615 y MIRA empiezan la campaña con una
conferencia de prensa el 17 de septiembre, el Día de Ciudadanía. ¡Espero verles
allí!
Como
siempre, mis agradecimientos mas profundos por su apoyo.
Sinceramente,
Eva A. Millona
Directora Ejecutiva
In this Bulletin
State Updates Federal Updates MIRA Messages
Member to Member Funding & Grant Opportunities
Job Opportunity Bloggers WAnted
State Updates
Commonwealth Care Eligibility Notices Expected This
Week
The Commonwealth Connector authority will be mailing
termination notices to the now 31,000 immigrants impacted by the state budget
cuts to Commonwealth Care for the "Aliens with Special Status"
eligibility category. The letters will notify consumers that their Commonwealth
Care benefits end as of September 1, 2009 and that a future notice will inform
them of coverage options moving forward. The Patrick administration continues
to work on developing coverage for the population at the $40 million amount
provided by the legislature. MA Law Reform Institute has put together a helpful guide to working with health care consumers
impacted by the cuts. For questions or more information, please contact Toby
Guevin at MIRA at 617-350-5480 x216 or via e-mail at tguevin@miracoalition.org .
Federal Updates
ICE Announces Detention Reforms
On August 6th, Assistant Secretary John Morton announced reforms to the
immigration detention system. Currently, ICE uses over 350 penal
detention facilities to house over 400,000 immigrants a year. The goal of
the reforms are to transition to civil detention facilities more suitable to
housing the non-criminal immigrant population. The reforms include
creating an Office of Detention Policy and Planning to be led by Dr. Dora
Schriro and turning the T. Don Hutto facility in Texas from a family detention center to a
women's facility. For more details on the announced changes, see MIRA's website .
---------------------
President Obama Reiterates Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
During a press conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, President Obama reiterated his support for
comprehensive immigration reform and predicted that a draft bill would be on
the table by year's end. Despite the negative tone cast on this time line
by many news outlets, the president's time line is in line with the hopes for
the Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign. To get campaign updates and
action alerts on your cell phone, text "justice" or
"justicia" to 69866. --------------- New USCIS Director Sworn in On August 12, Alejandro Mayorkas
was sworn in as the new Director of US Citizenship and Immigration
Services. Director Mayorkas was nominated by President Obama on April
24 and confirmed by the Senate by a unanimous vote last week. A Cuban
immigrant, Mayorkas previously served as a US Attorney in California's
Central District before becoming a partner at the law firm of O'Melveny
and Myers.
MIRA Messages
On
The Road to 279 Tour
Join
MIRA's Organizing Team to Win Immigration Reform!
President Barack Obama is meeting
with members of congress on June 25 at the White House to talk about
comprehensive immigration reform! And the President said he is committed to
reform "this year!"
Now, it is time to join
forces to win the reform! And MIRA will be On the Road to 279 Tour across New England to engage our members and allies on the
Campaign to Reform Immigration FOR America.
How can we win? Is it possible?
What can we do together to pass comprehensive reform?
Join MIRA's Organizing Team on
the next stop of our Tour:
August 11
WORCESTER & REGION
Worcester Public Library
7pm
3 Salem Square,
Worcester, MA
Co-sponsor
by Worcester
County ACLU
August 20
MANCHESTER, NH
NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees
5pm
25 Lowell st, suite 300
Manchester, NH 03103
Organized
by NH Alliance
for Immigrants and Refugees (NHAIR) August 24
GREATER BOSTON
Agencia Alpha
6:30 pm
68 Northampton St
Boston, MA
Co-sponsored
by Agencia Alpha
The campaign connects people from
communities across the country who are ready to work together towards achieving
the 279 votes needed to win just and humane comprehensive immigration reform
legislation: 218 votes in the House of Representatives, 60 votes in the Senate,
and one signature from the President.
For additional information and to
R.S.V.P., please contact Marcony Almeida (Director or Organizing) at
617-350-5480, ext. 205 ( malmeida@miracoalition.org ) or Erik Balsbaugh (Campaign
Organizer) at 617-350-5480, ext. 207 ( ebalsbaugh@miracoalition.org ).
Join the movement and let's win together! ----------------------- Prayer Vigil
Reform
Immigration for America
Now
Prayer Vigil in Support of
Immigration Reform
and the Dignity of Immigrants
Thursday August 27, 2009
6:00 pm
New Federal Building
300 State Street
Springfield, MA -------------------
Save the Date! September 17: Media Training for Educators
From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, MIRA together
with the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education (MCAE) will offer a
workshop on media strategies for educators working with immigrant communities.
We will discuss both responding to media inquiries and proactively seeking
media attention to shape public opinion on issues that affect our students,
helping to give a voice to often disadvantaged and misrepresented communities.
Please be on the lookout for announcements about location and registration. For
questions, contact Sue Dorfman, MCAE Media Coordinator, at 617-482-6223 (MCAE) sdorfman@mcae.net or Frank Soults, MIRA Director
of Communications, 617-350-5480, ext. 204, fsoults@miracoaltion.org
Member to Member
Addressing Asthma in Bosto n
Breathe Easy At Home is a
public-private health initiative from the Medical-Legal Partnership at Boston
Medical Center in collaboration with Boston's Inspectional Service Department
that seeks to address asthma in Boston by achieving the following:
- Improving communication with
asthma clinicians, the Boston Public Health Commission, and the
Inspectional Service Department Division of Housing Inspections.
- Utilizing housing code
inspections to address asthma triggers in the home.
- Working together to deliver
the services and resources needed to make Boston's housing stock healthier.
Partnerships
with the Boston Public Health
Commission, the Boston Urban
Asthma Coalition, the Bowdoin
Street Health Center, and the NewEngland Asthma Regional Council provide the city's housing
inspectors with additional resources to help Boston's asthmatic residents
"breathe easier" at home.
Through a shared website doctors, nurses or other health
professionals can refer potential housing code violations that may worsen the
asthmatic's condition. Referring parties receive automatic case updates
on inspections, and have on-line access to review their referrals. With the
patient's consent the doctor electronically alerts Inspectional Services
Department (ISD) from the convenience of their office. The request for
inspection is received at ISD which then conducts an inspection to address code
violations that are asthma triggers. Inspectors are trained to look for asthma
triggers such as mold, infestations, drafty doors & windows, no heat, poor
ventilation and unsanitary conditions. The property owner is notified of the
violations and the inspector works with them to achieve compliance. The Breathe
Easy Collaborative meets on a regular basis to review cases and assess if
additional resources are needed.
Clinicians interested in joining the "Breathe Easy"
referral network will be able to make referrals through Breathe Easy at
Home. To register simply go to the following website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/isd/housing/bmc/default.asp
Tenants without a doctor's referral can contact the Boston Public Health
Commission to be referred for a Breathe Easy housing inspection @ 617-534-5966
or asthma@bphc.org
If you experience any problems, or would like more information please call
the Housing Division at 617-635-5322 -----------------------
Help ENB Plan for the Future
This summer marks the eighth year for the
public-private-community initiative, English for New Bostonians. As ENB plans for its future, we are
conducting an environmental scan of Boston's
resources and partnerships for English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL). The scan will be followed up by
strategic process, led by Navin Associates.
You are in important stakeholder serving and working with Boston's immigrant
communities. Using the attached survey,
please provide ENB with your experience and perspective. In order to make your voice heard, please
respond August 14.
You can enter the survey here .
Thank you for your participation and support . -------------------------
Immigrant Learning
Center: Research and Reports
The Immigrant Learning Center has a number of a reports available that detail
the contributions of immigrants in different vocations and to Massachusetts as
a whole that can serve as a terrific resource for immigrant-serving
organizations. On June 25, at a press conference at Boston City Hall, they will release "Massachusetts Immigrants by the Numbers: Demographic Characteristics and
Economic Footpring" by Drs. Alan Clayton-Matthews & Paul Watanabe with
Faye Karp, MA, University of Massachusetts Boston. Visit their Research and Reports webpage to access reports or ask for a
hard copy. They are available at no cost. For more information on the press conference or anything else, please contact
Marcia Drew Hohn, Director of Public Education at ILC at mhohn@ilctr.org
Funding & Grant Opportunities
Citizenship Grant Program
Congress recently created the Fiscal Year 2009 Citizenship Grant Program, acompetitive grant that provides approximately $1.2 million, in the form of twelve $100,000 individual awards, to support citizenship preparation programs for legal permanent residents (LPRs). For more information, please click here .
Job Postings
Harbor Communities Overcoming Violence (HarborCOV)
Children & Teen Program Coordinator
Develop and oversee coordinated advocacy and age-appropriate
activities for youth affected by domestic violence. Supervise Children &
Teen advocates and support staff, facilitate access to community/clinical
support services. Solid program development skills and work
experience/education with children and teens affected by domestic violence
and/or trauma. Supervisory experience, bachelor's required. Master's and
licensing preferred.
All candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to
domestic violence and/or sexual assault survivors. Strong ties to and knowledge
of resources in Chelsea, Revere,
Winthrop and East Boston
are helpful as well as the ability to work in a multicultural, team setting
with low-income communities.
HarborCOV values diverse life experience and is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action
Employer. Bilingual/bicultural, persons of color, people with
disabilities and GLBT are strongly encouraged to apply.
Send cover letter & résumé by July 31, 2009to: Hiring Committee, HarborCOV, PO Box 505754, Chelsea,
MA 02150.
Fa x: 617-884-9929. Email harborcov@harborcov.org .
No phone calls. ---------------------
LISC AmeriCorps Member: Case
Management/Asset Stabilization Assistant
The mission of the LISC AmeriCorps program is to transform
distressed neighborhoods into healthy communities by placing AmeriCorps Members
with Community Development Corporations (CDCs).
Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) is a membership organization that
provides leadership in maintaining a vibrant, diverse, and tolerant
community in Somerville.
We develop and preserve affordable housing, offer services, and lead community
organizing that supports low and moderate-income Somerville residents. Through these
efforts, the residents of Somerville
are better ableto achieve economic stability and participate in civic
life.
The member at SCC will
serve as a Program Assistant for Homelessness Prevention and Asset Building.
Program Assistant will work
with our Coordinators of Homelessness Prevention and Asset Building
as the third member of a staff team of 5-7 in our
Department of Community Power and Resources.
The ideal candidate will have excellent
interpersonal skills, with demonstrated capacity for successful collaboration
with diverse constituencies. Candidate will have demonstrated ability to
work independently, take a leadership role, and handle multiple priorities.
The specific duties of the position include:
Conducting intake of constituents for emergency homelessness
prevention and other assistance
Working with clients to develop Individual Self-Sufficiency
Plans (ISSPs)
Providing one-on-one financial counseling to clients
Assist with conducting Financial Education classes
For more information or to send submissions, please contact:
Meredith Levy
Director of Community Power and Resources
Somerville Community Corporation
337 Somerville
Ave. 2nd Floor
617-776-5931
Bloggers Wanted
MIRA recently
launched the MIRA Coalition Blog at MIRA Coalition Blog to communicate with members and promote pro-immigrant messages and
resources on the blogosphere. So far we've posted on issues ranging
from driver's licenses for the undocumented,
to Keith Olbermann criticizing detention conditions. We would love to also hear
from you about events or issues impacting your
organizations and communities. If you're interested, please e-mail or call Franklin Soults at 617-350-5480, ext. 204.
Donate to the New American Fund
Quick Links...
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Truth About Immigrants in Massachusetts
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