Volunteer Newsletter

Letter from MIRA Staff

July 10, 2013 Dear Volunteer, Thank you for contributing to the MIRA Coalitions work. Though were the largest organization in New England fighting for immigrant rights, were still a small nonprofit, and we rely on volunteers for many projects. MIRA is an umbrella organization, meaning we represent the policy interests of over a hundred Massachusetts coalition member organizations, most of which provide direct service to immigrants, including community schools, health centers, law offices, and unions. This year, our most visible work has been pushing Washington to pass comprehensive immigration reform (CIR), which would fix a long-broken system that has trapped 11 million undocumented immigrants in a fearful underground existence. Concurrent with CIR, we are also striving on three fronts to build immigrant power. First, we are continuing with direct civic integration work, such as the citizenship clinics and voter registration drives that rely on volunteers like you. Second, we are working with our allies on pro-immigrant bills and policies that compliment CIR, like the TRUST Act, which would limit the damage of the Secure Communities enforcement program, and the Safe Driving Bill, which would allow state residents to apply for drivers licenses regardless of their immigration status. This work also includes participating in national anti-deportation campaigns like Keeping Families Together and Ni Uno Ms. Third, we are working on integration policies and projects that help all immigrants. This includes our fight for the English Language Learners Bill, which would stem a rising immigrant dropout rate in Massachusetts, and our continued expansion the New Americans Integration Institute, which works on everything from bank lending to high-school counseling. Weve been greatly encouraged this year by major national events like the progress of CIR in Congress and the Supreme Courts invalidation of the Defense of Marriage Act, which will help hundreds of international same-sex spouses stay together in Massachusetts. Even so, a brighter future for all immigrants is not yet secure. The Senate passed a CIR bill with many great provisions, but it also included severe measures for the militarization of our border with Mexico. And a bills chances in the House are still unclear at best. In short, we need your support as much as ever, and we deeply appreciate your dedication to the cause. Sincerely, The MIRA Staff

Inside this issue:

Participant Profiles Give Liberty a Hand Volunteer Profile Immigration Reform Bill Upcoming Events Citizenship Clinics Campaign Highlight 2 2 3 3 4 4 4

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Participant Profile: Marcus Santos

Marcus Santos, a musician and performer from Brazil, just became an American citizen after receiving help with his application at a MIRA Citizenship Clinic a few months ago. I heard about MIRA through the non-profit world, probably, he said. As a musician, I have the chance to meet a lot of activists. Marcus volunteers for the Brazilian Womens Group, and plans to volunteer for MIRA in the future. He describes his experience at the clinic as ...great, everyone was super nice, and Im super thankful. Its great to have help with such a long form. I wanted to make sure that I didnt make a mistake and put my residency in jeopardy. Marcus is currently enjoying his new status as an American citizen. He said that the biggest change is easier international travel for his business, Grooversity (grooversity.com). Now I dont need to apply for as many visas, he said. But it also feels great, you know. I have everything here. I own my own business. Its great to be able to say that Im a citizen of this country which has given me so many opportunities.

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Give Liberty a Hand

This past month, MIRA held its annual Give Liberty a Hand Gala at the Fairmount Copley Plaza in Boston. The gala honored leaders in government, city planning and business for their leadership and achievements in the movement to protect and promote the rights of immigrants and refugees. Over 300 people attended the event, including politicians, business owners, volunteers, and the nights honorees. The honorees included Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts, Paul Grogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Foundation, Robert Rivers, President and Chief Operating Officer of Eastern Bank, and Kairos Shen, Director of Planning at the Boston Redevelopment Authority. The event included dinner, a raffle, and speeches by the honorees and other distinguished guests, including Miguel Leal, a Cuban immigrant and US armed forces veteran whose wife faces the threat of deportation. The Give Liberty a Hand Gala is MIRAs largest fundraising event of the year.

Participant Profile: Luzmila Yrene Landa

Citizenship Clinic in Boston, she decided to attend the event to get help with her citizenship application. I received a lot of assistance at the clinic, she said. Most of the help was with the application. I dont speak much English, but the woman explained everything to me in Spanish and answered all of my questions. Luzmila said she was grateful for the help she received, and that it allowed her to successfully complete her application. I got help with studying for the citizenship exam as well, she explained. I got flash cards and a book to study, and I was able to pass the test. Now, Luzmila said she is much more calm and relaxed, and proud to call herself a citizen rather than a permanent resident. Also important to Luzmila is her new involvement and voice in politics. I can vote, I can be considered, she said.

When Luzmila Yrene Landa saw an ad on TV in Spanish for a

Volunteer N ews letter

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Proposed Immigration Reform Bill

The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, passed in the Senate on June 27th, and has moved on to the House of Representatives. The bill, drafted by the Senates bipartisan Gang of Eight, passed by a 68-to-32 vote. The bill must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the President before it becomes a law. Here are some of the highlights of the proposed bill, at the time of the publication of this newsletter.
Requirement for employers across the country to use a federal electronic system, called EVerify, to confirm the employment authorization of every new person they hire. All employers, including agricultural employers, must adopt this system within 4 years. Increased border security, including 700 miles of fence along the Mexican border and up to $46 billion in additional funding for increased border personnel and equipment. This equipment includes mobile surveillance systems, ground sensors, and security cameras. A 13-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Undocumented people who meet strict eligibility criteria can receive a temporary status called Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI), and then are able to apply for legal residency after 10 years, and for citizenship after three years. Most applicants will need to pay $2,000 in fines in addition to application fees for registration, reregistration after 6 years, adjustment of status, and naturalization. Certain immigrants who came to the US under the age of 16 known as DREAMerswould have a shortened 5-year path to citizenship 8-year path to citizenship for farm workers who have worked in agriculture for 100 days or 575 hours during 2011-2012, or those who are the spouse, child or family member of a farm worker who meets this requirement. Merit-based system for work visas, with higher preference given for those with higher levels of education, knowledge of English, special skills, or family ties to the United States Elimination of sibling visas, visas for married sons or daughters over 31 years old, and diversity visas. Join MIRAs e-mail bulletin for updates on immigration reform at www.miracoalition.org. For more information, go to National Immigrant Resource Center (www.nilc.org).

Volunteer Profile: Maude Laroche St. Fleur

Maude Laroche St. Fleur is an attorney and legal volunteer at MIRAs Citizenship Clinics, where she assists applicants in all aspects of the citizenship process, from intake to processing. I heard about MIRA through a friend, she said. I decided to volunteer because I like helping people. What better way to give back to your community than to help people for free? Maudes desire to volunteer started at an early age, watching her father help other people in their community with their problems free of charge. I tried my best to stay away from the law profession but it just kept following me. I had an urge to do itand Im so glad I did. It puts me in the best position to help as many people as possible, she said. Maude graduated from the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover and has recently started her own law firm, Laroche Law Office LLC in Roxbury. She continues to dedicate her free time by volunteering with MIRA. I have to be creative and work long hours, sometimes seven days a week, she said. But I love the volunteer work so much, I just have to do both. Id love a future where I can volunteer full time.

Upcoming Events
Citizenship Program Volunteer Opportunities
Upcoming Citizenship Clinics in the Boston Area:
In partnership with its members, MIRA works for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees through policy analysis and advocacy, institutional organizing, training and leadership development, and strategic communications.

Saturday, July 27 Saturday, August 24 Screening Call Volunteers: Flexible schedule. Must speak Spanish or Haitian Creole and be comfortable with cold calls.
For more information on any of these opportunities please contact Julia at jschuster@miracoalition.org or 617.350.5480 x 229

Other MIRA Events

MIRAs Citizenship programming is generously supported by:

September 15-22: National Welcoming Week in Massachusetts. Get involved and host a welcoming event in your community!
For more information, contact Cristina at 617-350-5480 Ext. 206 or caguilera@miracoalition.org

Upcoming Voter Registration Drives: Volunteers needed to help register new citizens to vote at citizenship ceremonies. 6-8 volunteers needed for each event. July 18 & 25 August 8 & 22
or rcastelo@miracoalition.org.

September 5 & 19 September 27 (80 volunteers needed)

For more information, contact Renato at 617 350 5480 ext. 217

Campaign Highlight: Fathers Day Vigil

On Saturday, June 25th, volunteers and protestors gathered in front of the Suffolk County House of Correction as part of a nationwide effort to urge the Obama administration to stop deportations, many of which separate immigrant fathers from their wives and children. Protestors carried signs and banners, watching as their loved ones waved to them from behind the barred windows of the House of Correction. The vigil was held through the coordination of dozens of organizations participating in Fathers Day is for Families actions across the country. These groups were posting policies that separate immigrant families through deportations and arrests. Last year, over 5,000 immigrants were deported from New England, and a large number of them were sent through the Suffolk County House of Correction. This facility holds around 250 detainees every day, many of whom spend weeks or months waiting for their cases to be heard, without the right to a stateappointed attorney. MIRA Coalition members continue to hold events to raise awareness and draw attention to the injustices of current immigration policy so that changes and reform will be possible. Protestors at the Fathers Day Vigil

Supported by

MIRA Coalition
105 Chauncy St. 9th Floor Boston, MA Phone: (617) 350-5480 Fax: (617) 350-5499 www.miracoalition.org