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MAPC Hosts Immigration Know Your Rights Training

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MAPC Hosts Immigration Know Your Rights Training

By Georgia Barlow Government Affairs Specialist II

June 26, 2025 – In June, in response to rising concerns and questions from municipalities about immigration enforcement in their communities, MAPC hosted an immigration “Know Your Rights” training for more than 100 municipal staff and volunteers in partnership with the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition. Massachusetts, and Greater Boston in particular, has seen increased activity from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulting in detention and deportation of people living in our cities and towns. This escalation of ICE activity has deviated from the way that federal law enforcement interacts with municipalities. We have heard that community members, municipal staff, and volunteers are interested in learning about the legal immigration process to ensure that they are best supporting their residents.

The increased presence of ICE and federal dedication to immigration enforcement is impacting people and families throughout the state. We've witnessed mothers being violently separated from their daughters, drivers getting pulled from their cars, and workers being picked up at work with no warning. This has created fear, hurt local businesses, and caused disruptions in everyday routines, such as people missing doctor appointments and students staying home from school. Municipal locations like town halls, libraries, or community centers are often trusted sources of information, and we have included resources below from trusted sources about immigration rights that we encourage you, your staff, and community partners to use during this evolving time.

MAPC will continue to support municipalities in pushing back against illegal ICE activity and ensuring that our residents are treated with dignity and have their constitutional rights upheld.

To learn more about immigration support or with any questions, please contact Georgia Barlow, Government Affairs Specialist, ([email protected]) and Sam Berlus, Community Engagement Specialist, ([email protected]).

 

Excerpt from Mass. Mayors and Officials Issue Statement on ICE Actions in Local Communities: 

“For the past several weeks, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have been entering some of our communities and arresting residents. ICE has stated that they are prioritizing the removal of people who pose a threat to public safety. However, increasingly, ICE is arresting bystanders with no criminal record and removing so-called “collaterals” without regard to the impact on our communities.”

“Immigrant residents who live in our communities are vital members of our Commonwealth who help to create the vibrancy that we celebrate.”

MIRA Coalition Resources:

MA Attorney General Resources:

Other Resources: