Latest news with #ImmigrantsDay
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Immigrant advocates look to state amid Trump deportation pledges
BOSTON (SHNS) – Angered by the Trump administration's deportation actions, hundreds of immigrants and advocates urged Beacon Hill lawmakers Wednesday to strengthen state-level protections, including passing a long-debated law to restrict cooperation between local and federal law enforcement officials. Supporters with the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition sought to rally momentum for the Safe Communities Act (S 1681 / H 2580), legislation that has lingered around Beacon Hill for years looking to end so-called 287(g) agreements that give state and local law enforcement the authority to carry out federal immigration officers' jobs. Top House and Senate Democrats have for years opted against bringing the legislation forward for a vote. The bill was sent to study last session, but has previously cleared the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. During President Donald Trump's first term, the Senate in 2018 adopted the bill as a policy rider to the budget with a 25-13 vote, though it did not survive conference committee negotiations, sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge said. 'I think because under the Biden administration, there was a sense of complacency and the immigrants were protected,' Eldridge, who has sponsored the bill since 2017, told the News Service about last session's study order. 'Obviously, that has completely been upended.' The Marlborough Democrat added, 'I mean this is a new level of assault on immigrants compared to even when Trump was last president.' To build more legislative support for the bill this session, Eldridge said he's focused on securing endorsements from police chiefs, law enforcement groups, district attorneys and sheriffs. 'Probably the biggest is major chiefs that represent immigrant communities — that would be most helpful. That was also helpful to pass the driver's license bill,' Eldridge said, referring to the law that took effect in 2023 and allows residents to apply for driver's licenses regardless of their immigration status. The annual Immigrants Day event in the Great Hall started off on an upbeat note Wednesday morning, featuring nearly an hour of musical and dance performances. The atmosphere quickly turned serious yet determined as lawmakers and advocates outlined priority legislation they said could counteract Trump administration immigration policies. 'Immigrants matter. Immigrants are the success of Massachusetts, the United States of America, and we have demonstrated that for years, and years, and years,' Rep. Carlos González said, drawing audience applause. 'And now we stand here united, ready to fight.' Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones was on hand to emphasize the Healey administration's commitment to investing in and upskilling the immigrant workforce. Jones pointed to Gov. Maura Healey's January supplemental budget that seeks to invest $30 million over the next two years into English for Speakers of Other Languages services for adult learners. 'Massachusetts has long been a beacon of opportunity, and our immigrant workforce is a cornerstone of our success, accounting for roughly 20% of our workforce statewide,' Jones said. 'We are home to one of the most highly skilled foreign workforces in the nation. In fact, one in three immigrants arriving or living in our state holds a bachelor's or advanced degree from abroad.' Advocates also promoted the Immigrant Legal Defense Act (S 1127 / H 1954) that would create a fund, seeded with public and private dollars, to cover legal defense for immigrants who face deportation risks, including individuals held in federal immigration detention centers. Nearly 370 people were in federal immigration detention in Massachusetts as of January, according to MIRA. Immigrants with a lawyer are 10 times more likely to win relief, the coalition says. Trump has long promised to pursue mass deportations and arrests of people who are in the country illegally and committed crimes. But his administration's deportation tactics are facing increasing scrutiny as federal agents target people here legally, including a Rhode Island doctor, according to Politico. Federal agents swept through Chelsea on Tuesday and detained multiple individuals, sparking fear among the community that has a large population of immigrants, The Boston Globe reported. During the first 50 days of the new Trump administration, Immigration Customs and Enforcement arrested 32,809 individuals, Department of Homeland Security officials said last week. That figure includes 14,111 convicted criminals and 9,980 individuals with pending criminal charges, officials said. 'We have deported known terrorists, cartel members, and gang members from our country,' DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said March 13. 'We will see the number of deportations continue to rise. And illegal immigrants have the option to self-deport and come back LEGALLY in the future.' Eldridge appeared on stage Wednesday with Suyanne Amaral and Lucas Dos Santos Amaral and their three-year-old daughter. Dos Santos Amaral, who has no criminal record but overstayed his visa, was detained on his way to work in January, GBH reported. Eldridge helped the family navigate the case, said Suyanne Amaral, who has legal status through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. 'We need real, humane immigration reform,' Suyanne Amaral said. 'We need policies that recognize the dignity and contributions of immigrants. We need lawmakers with the courage to fight for a chance to stand up for families, to stand up for justice, and to ensure that no child has to cry themselves to sleep, wondering when they will see their parents again.' Elizabeth Sweet, MIRA Coalition's executive director, told the News Service that immigration actions in Chelsea and other communities do not align with the state's values. She argued the Safe Communities Act 'makes so much sense for Massachusetts.' 'There are so many municipalities with Trust Acts, and this really is about making this a standard law across the state, so that immigrants know they're not going to be asked about their immigration status if they come into contact with our public safety,' Sweet said. 'We have increasingly secured more support from state law enforcement, which we think is an important part of moving this bill forward. But we also think it's about our lawmakers here seeing the enforcement that's happening and realizing that it's the time to stand up and protect our immigrant communities.' Boston Mayor Michelle Wu earlier this month was in Washington, D.C., defending the city's Trust Act, which prevents local police from cooperating with federal immigration officials. Congressional Republicans have said the city's 'sanctuary' status has hindered federal agents from making arrests and removing 'dangerous criminals.' Patricia Sobalvarro, executive director of immigration service nonprofit Agencia ALPHA, told advocates Wednesday that 'things are looking really bad right now.' 'But I want to challenge you, and I want to challenge myself to think five, 10 years from now and ask yourself: Could you have done more to protect the immigrant community?' Sobalvarro said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Very traumatic': Brother of man detained by ICE in Chelsea consumed with questions
The brother of a 28-year-old man who was detained by ICE agents in Chelsea at the beginning of his workday is consumed with questions. Derick Morales told Boston 25 News his older brother Ivan has legal work documents, has lived in the United States for more than five years, and works more than 40 hours a week to support his wife and two kids. Video captured by a neighbor on Tuesday showed federal authorities stopping the van of a local painting company near Chestnut and Third Streets. The owner said agents detained his three workers after asking for their paperwork and learning they were undocumented. 'There's really no motive for him to get captured since he has no criminal record,' said Morales. 'I'm pretty sure it's a terrifying experience he's going through at the moment.' Morales now worried his brother could be deported to El Salvador, leaving his four and six-year-old kids without a father. 'This is very traumatic for most families,' said Morales. 'I'm worried. I don't know if I'll be able to see my brother again.' Boston 25 News learned of more reported ICE activity in Chelsea and East Boston on Wednesday from witnesses. It's unclear how many arrests have been made this week since Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not comment on on-going operations. The visible ICE activity across the Boston area coincided with the 29th annual Immigrants Day that was recognized in Boston. Hundreds gathered at the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday morning to commemorate the occasion and urge lawmakers to strengthen state-level protections for immigrants. 'In an instant, our family was torn apart,' said Suyanne Amaral of Malborough. 'Our toddler, too young to understand, cried for her father night after night, asking when he would come home.' Amaral spoke to the crowd alongside her husband, Brazilian native, Dos Santos Amaral, and their daughter after he was detained by ICE during a traffic stop. He was shuffled from jail to jail before being flown to an ICE detention center at the Texas border where he was held for nearly a month. 'How you explain to a child that her father is gone, not because he did something wrong, but because of a system that refuses to recognize his humanity,' said Amaral. That father was reunited with his family in Marlborough after being granted release on bond. His wife believes ICE mistook him for another man but still detained him when they discovered he had an expired visa. Advocates point out that's a civil offense, not a criminal one. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Chicago Tribune
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters to the Editor: No support for D203's ‘half-baked' schedule changes; Naperville needs to support its immigrant population
No support for D203's 'half-baked' schedule changes I want to thank the Naperville Sun for covering the proposed changes to Naperville District 203's school schedules. Wednesday's article accurately conveyed the unanimously negative feedback from community members at Monday's School Board meeting. Every teacher, aide and parent who spoke strongly opposed the changes suggested by the administration. Survey data provided by the teachers union showed overwhelming opposition from its members. As a parent of an elementary student, I share those concerns. Elementary schools begin at 8:15 a.m., but the administration wants to move that to 7:45 a.m. They claim changes are necessary to meet children's physiological needs, however, research shows children need more sleep — not less. Elementary schools in neighboring Indian Prairie District 204 begin at 9:05 a.m. How can elementary students in District 203 be expected to do well in the classroom and participate in the same after-school activities (soccer, gymnastics, Scouting) as District 204 students while getting 80 minutes less sleep each night? The administration also wants to move the start time of middle schools from 8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. This presents a challenge for working parents who cannot wait that long to take a child to the bus stop or drive them to school before leaving for work. The administration, after hearing from concerned parents, said they reached out to community partners last week to see if there was capacity to handle increased demand for before-school child care. Why did it take an outcry from parents for the administration to investigate that issue last week instead of when the proposal was being formed? This illustrates a clear lack of foresight and preparedness from the administration. They have not considered all the downstream impacts of this proposal and are pushing the negative consequences onto teachers and families who never asked for it. The district's FAQ website about the proposal, while lacking hard evidence as to why the changes are needed, says, 'Our students deserve this. How could we wait? At what cost?' I believe if we are truly worried about the well-being of our kids and the community, prematurely implementing a half-baked plan with large-scale negative impacts and lack of support from teachers and parents is the worst thing that could happen to students. I strongly encourage community members who share these concerns to contact the School Board at boemail@ and let your voices be heard. Daniel Alamillo, Naperville Naperville needs to support its immigrant population In 2023, Mayor Scott Wehrli proclaimed Oct. 28 as 'Immigrants Day in the City of Naperville,' an initiative led by ALMAS in collaboration with other local organizations. This was a powerful acknowledgment of the important role immigrant communities play in shaping our city. According to the most recent Census numbers available, more than 21% of Naperville residents were born outside the U.S. and nearly 26% of households speak a language other than English at home. This kind of diversity isn't just part of our city's identity — it's one of our greatest strengths. But proclamations are just the beginning. Across the nation, immigrant families, including undocumented and mixed-status households, are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainty. History has shown us that in moments like these, solidarity, leadership and community action can make all the difference. None of these initiatives are new. Suburban cities like Evanston, which has adopted 'Welcoming City Ordinances,' have shown us what's possible when municipalities actively support immigrant communities and foster trust within their neighborhoods. With a growing immigrant population, we urge Naperville leaders to consider the following actions: Implement data protection policies: Safeguard personal information from misuse by federal immigration agencies. Develop safe spaces: Make public buildings safe zones for all residents. Provide resources: Offer legal, educational and support services for immigrants and their allies. Engage the community: Host workshops to educate residents on their rights and how everyone can support vulnerable neighbors. Embracing immigrants regardless of immigration status isn't just aligned with the city's mission statement; it amplifies it by strengthening Naperville's identity as a thriving, diverse and welcoming place to live, work and grow. Whether you are an immigrant, the child of immigrants or someone who values social justice, you have a role to play. Now is the moment to come together and advocate for policies, programs and initiatives that reflect our shared values of inclusion and mutual support. Together, let's take practical steps to create a stronger, more inclusive Naperville for generations to come. Lili Burciaga, Founder and President Diana Torres Hawken, Founder and Secretary Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs (ALMAS) DEI's about respect and empathy, not job advantages The term 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' has become a weapon. Recently, it has become mainstream to label DEI as unfair and a way to restrict opportunities for some individuals. It is time to revisit the concept because practicing DEI makes us all better human beings. We teach our children to be courteous and respectful of the physical and emotional needs of others. DEI extends this respect, courtesy and empathy in the community or workplace. Accommodating religious practices such as fasting and providing space for prayer and meditation in the workplace shows respect and compassion for colleagues. DEI is about valuing all individuals and not deeming a job candidate unqualified because they are female, have a name that is difficult to pronounce, wear a hijab, have dark skin or are otherwise different from ourselves. It is about seeking diversity and ensuring that people are not excluded for reasons unrelated to the job. Equity is not equality, which is one of the important lessons DEI teaches us. If we give a teenager and a toddler the same bike, it would be equal. But it would not be equitable because only one of the two would have a vehicle they could use. Equity helps level the playing field by giving everyone what they need even if their needs are not the same. Diversity is challenging, but growth only happens when we push ourselves to consider new views. As champions for women and girls, we advocate to ensure that their talents are developed and utilized to advance our communities, organizations and country. Let's mobilize this commitment to DEI by uplifting those companies and organizations that are still enacting these ideals. Challenge yourself to reach out to your legislators and ask them to uphold the value of diversity and encourage equity and inclusion everywhere. Laura Welch, President, Illinois NOW Jill Lexier, Advocate, National Council of Jewish Women, Chicago North Shore Submit letters to the editor via email to suburbanletters@ Please include your name, address and town of residence for publication. We also need your phone number and email address for confirmation. Letters should be no more than 250 to 300 words.
