PRESS STATEMENT: Patrick Tries to Resuscitate Immigrant Health Care

With State House approval plan would save "Bridge" for 6 months

BOSTON -- This afternoon Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick held a press conference to discuss his signature of the Massachusetts state budget for fiscal 2011, which begins tomorrow. Barring the increasingly unlikely approval of FMAP funding, this budget would eliminate health care funding for nearly 30,000 legal, tax-paying Massachusetts immigrants at the end of August. In response, Governor Patrick also announced he was filing an amendment letter with the legislature, asking for their permission to allow Bridge to continue operating if funds can be found. Through some creative cost savings and the allocation of excess cigarette tax revenues, the governor then calculates that the program could continue for at least six months, or until the end of December. "We at MIRA join all the other groups in the ACT Coalition to commend Governor Patrick for his speedy and creative response to this crisis," said Nicole Tambouret, State Policy Director at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)."The governor has come up with the plan and the funds; now the legislature needs to act quickly to pass the proposed bill, which will give tens of thousands of hard-working, tax paying immigrants a chance to breathe easier as we all work to craft a permanent solution to this crisis." The Bridge program was created last year as a temporary, low-cost solution to the plight of these 30,000 Massachusetts immigrants, comprised largely of those who've received their Permanent Legal Residency status ("green cards") less than five years ago. Last June, the State House barred this class of immigrants from the Commonwealth Care program, citing federal law which prohibits the group from receiving reimbursement for Medicaid funding. The crisis led the governor to work with the legislature to devise Commonwealth Care Bridge, which began enrolling immigrants at the end of last summer.  "The governor and his administration seem to agree with immigrants and their allies that the Bridge program is not a permanent solution to the plight of these immigrants," Tambouret continued."But we all need the legislature to approve his plan to continue the program through the summer and fall. Not only will it provide six extra months of essential coverage, it also allows us all time to find a way to extend the program until that day when every Massachusetts resident can receive the quality, affordable health care they deserve, no matter where they're from."

PRESS STATEMENT: Immigrant Detainee Dies at Mass. Hospital

A Tragic Reminder that Detention System Needs Reform

BOSTON -- On Monday, October 19, Pedro Juan Tavarez, a 49-year-old native of the Dominican Republic in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, died at Women and Bringham's Hospital in Boston.

ICE was holding Tavarez on immigration violations at The Suffolk County House of Corrections, which transferred him to Brigham and Women's after the correction facility's medical staff suggested possible pneumonia. The hospital was treating Tavarez for heart and respiratory conditions when he died, but the official cause of death has not yet been determined by the medical examiner.

"Mr. Tavarez's death is a tragedy," said Eva Millona, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). "We don't yet know if his passing could have been avoided. But we do know that the current immigration-detention system relies on a decentralized network of local jails that, in many respects, is simply inhumane. It treats the civil infraction of 'immigration violation' like a criminal offense, and it does not adequately protect the health of its most vulnerable detainees."

MIRA applauds the Obama Administration's acknowledgment of the seriousness of the problem. In August, ICE announced plans to "move away from a jail-oriented approach to a system wholly designed for and based on ICE's civil detention authorities." (See the ICE fact sheet). But the process won't be complete for three to five years, and the gravity of this delay was recognized earlier this month in a report by Dora B. Schriro, then ICE's Office of Detention Policy and Planning Director, who wrote a top-to-bottom appraisal of the system before quitting to become New York City's correction commissioner. As The New York Times wrote, the report "calls for prompt attention to individual complaints about a lack of medical care." In an interview with the Times, Department of Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano could only promise "to implement a system to better place people with medical or mental health needs" within six months.

"Six months is not good enough," said Millona. "Five years is far worse. The detention system demands immediate reform because too often its flaws have led to fatal consequences. We ask Governor Patrick, Massachusetts county authorities, and the individual detention facilities to start implementing reforms now. For too many immigrant detainees -- many of whom are hardworking family members who have broken no criminal laws -- this is truly a life and death issue."

MIRA Bulletin September 18, 2009

MIRA Bulletin

Dear MIRA Members and Supporters,

Yesterday MIRA joined SEIU 615, the Dominican Development Center, the Human Rights Campaign, the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) and many other organizations at a press conference in front of Faneuil Hall to celebrate Citizenship Day and announce a citizenship clinic tomorrow at SEIU's offices in downtown Boston (see below for more details).

I know you understand the importance of obtaining citizenship at this historical juncture, and I hope you received word of this clinic from us or one of the 14 organizations with whom we've partnered on this drive, part of a nationwide effort spearheaded by NALEO. At this difficult economic time, when the 2007 increase in citizenship application fees has made the process harder than ever, it is understandable that citizenship applications in Massachusetts have fallen to a record low (see the Boston Globe story). And yet we are happy to say we have received a tremendous response from this initiative, with dozens of phone calls here, at Centro Latino, at SEIU 615, and at NALEO's citizenship program, "Ya Es Hora" (Now's the Time).

We are certain that this response reflects a feeling among immigrants and advocates that now is indeed the time; we can wait no longer for change. It's this feeling that has powered over two dozen similar drives across the country, and, as the letter reprinted below explains, it's also the feeling that has driven Congressman Luis Gutierrez to start the process of filing his own progressive bill for comprehensive immigration reform. We know we can count on you to help us in the fight to make this time an hour of victory. As always, you have my deepest thanks.

Sincerely,

Eva A. Millona
Executive Director

Federal Updates

Letter from Washington

Below is a portion of an e-mail received late today from Rich Stolz of ReformImmigrationFORAmerica.org :

We really shouldn't wait any longer to introduce a progressive, comprehensive immigration reform bill,' Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) told hundreds of immigrants and their allies at a Citizenship Day event in Washington, DC yesterday as he answered a call for leadership from immigration advocates. Representative Gutierrez accepted the challenge and announced his intention to introduce his own progressive comprehensive immigration reform bill, one that will unify the broader immigrant community, this fall.

A wide range of events took place in Washington, DC and across the nation this week around Citizenship Day, a chance for the nation to reflect on and appreciate the value of citizenship. A broad coalition of immigrant and allied groups gathered in DC under the banner of Unity in Movement. Throughout the rest of the month, Ya Es Hora and other groups will be holding citizenship workshops and other events, and on September 16, local leaders celebrated at hundreds of festivals across the nation by promoting the Campaign's cell phone action network (text justicia [Spanish] or justice [English] to 69866 to join).

This celebration and its call for leadership came the day after the Senate Finance Committee released its healthcare bill, which drew sharp criticism from immigration advocates. As Janet Murgia, head of NCLR said, 'Left unaddressed, the plan has the potential to drive up costs, leave people uncovered, and threaten public health.' On Wednesday night, President Obama attempted to address these concerns at the CHCI Annual Awards Gala. Although the President assured the audience of his commitment to coverage for legal immigrants, advocates remain concerned about how the details of the policy could impact both immigrants and citizens. The president also re-stated that his plan would not cover undocumented immigrants. The bill that is drawing everyone's ire is coming up for a vote in the Senate Finance Committee early next week.

This afternoon, Senior White House staff discussed immigration and health care issues with hundreds of immigration advocates on a conference call. National and local advocates used the opportunity to voice their concerns and to question the White House verification of status proposals in any health care bill, the impact of health reform proposals on access to health care for mixed status families, and other pressing concerns in immigrant communities."
----------------------
The Census Meets the Press

The Ethnic News Wire held an event for ethnic media on the U.S. Census on Thursday. The event featured a panel of Census staff, including Associate Director Marilia Matos, taking questions from ethnic media journalists about the census and media outreach plans. The panel noted that the media buys for the upcoming census ad campaign will be over 50% ethnic media, the highest ever percentage.

In addition the panel emphasized the security of the census, noting that all census employees take a lifetime oath of confidentiality, violations of which are punishable by fines and imprisonment. The staff also discussed language access, confirming that the census will be available in five languages with instructions available in 59 additional languages. The census media campaign will be launched in January and census forms will be mailed in March. For more information about the census efforts please contact Frank Soults at 617-350-5480 ext. 204, or fsoults@miracoalition.org.



MIRA Messages

Citizenship Clinic

Join MIRA and SEIU at upcoming citizenship drive in Boston. We will be helping eligible immigrants apply for citizenship. SEIU 615 and MIRA kicked-off the drives with a press conference yesterday, on National Citizenship Day. (See the story in the Portuguese and English newspaper O Jornal)

Citizenship Clinic: September 19, 10am-1pm. SEIU 615, 26 West Street, Boston MA. See here for more information.
----------------------

Boston Mayoral Forums 2009

Join MIRA and other Boston Residents at the Boston Mayoral and City Councilors at Large Forums. This is your chance to ask candidates your questions!

Forum 1
City Councilors At Large
Tuesday October 13, 2009
6:30-8 pm
UMass-Boston, Boston

Forum 2
Mayoral Candidates
Tuesday October 27, 2009
6:30-8 pm
Location TBA

Thanksgiving Luncheon

Come join us on Tuesday, November 17th for MIRA's annual Thanksgiving Luncheon in the Great Hall of the State House. This event brings together those who cherish their family's immigrant story to Celebrate the Immigrant Family. It is a moment to reflect on and thank immigrants for their sacrifices in order to realize their American Dream.

For sponsorship opportunities or additional information, please contact Kirsten Dees, Development Associate at 617.350.5480 x208 or email dees@miracoalition.org



State Updates

Details on New Health Care Plan to Cover 31,000 Immigrants

The Patrick administration announced plans in early September for the $40 million allocated to coverage for 31,000 immigrants under the "Aliens with Special Status" (AWSS) category in MassHealth who lost eligibility for Commonwealth Care as of September 1, 2009. Under the new plan, CeltiCare, a new managed care organization (MCO), will provide coverage to all 31,000 immigrants impacted by the cuts, beginning on October 1 in Greater Boston, November 1 in Northern and Southern Mass., and December 1 in Central and Western Mass. More details are available now about the plan, which offers significantly less comprehensive coverage than full Commonwealth Care. Among the differences are no dental, vision, hospice, or long-term care; increased co-pays; and serious questions about CeltiCare's provider networks in Boston and across the state. To stay updated on details of the plan as they become available, check MIRA's state health care website here. Those impacted by the cuts should have received letters last week. Click here for a list of the benefits and co-pays under the new plan. MIRA is committed to full restoration of Commonwealth Care coverage in next year's budget and believes strongly that the new plan is a temporary and imperfect solution. If you have any questions, please contact Toby Guevin at MIRA at 617-350-5480 x216 or tguevin@miracoalition.org.


Member to Member

March and Rally for Jobs

Across Massachusetts jobs are being cut and thousands of workers are being laid off. State and local governments are slashing critical public services and eliminating jobs--just when we should be expanding them.

One year after the federal government gave big business and the banks hundreds of billions of dollars for the bailout, corporations are not creating the jobs that were promised.

We need jobs and we want to work. On October 1, 2009, let's put the heat on corporations doing business in Massachusetts to provide the good jobs our communities need!

Join the fight against a jobless recovery and for an economy that works for everyone.
Thursday, October 1, 2009

4:00 PM Kickoff at the State House
4:30 PM March through downtown and the
Financial District
5:30 PM Rally at Federal Reserve Bank
(600 Atlantic Ave., Boston)

Call Jobs with Justice at (617) 524-8778 for bus info from Merrimack Valley, South Shore, Worcester and Springfield.

Motorcycle ride-ins to the rally are planned. For info call (617) 929-6000.

For more info, call Mass AFL-CIO (781) 324-8230, Jobs with Justice (617) 524-8778 or IBEW Local 2222 (617) 929-6000.
------------------------

Citizenship Preparation Classes

MIRA is happy to announce that Cleghorn Neighborhood Center is now offering Citizenship preparation classes. If you are in the Fitchburg area and would like to learn more please contact - Joana Dos Santos at 978-342-2069.
------------------------

Addressing Asthma in Boston

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 New England 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

E-Verify System Requirement a Wrong Turn for the Obama Administration

The Obama Administration has taken a wrong step in its immigration policy. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Nepolitano, has declared that starting September 8, all businesses seeking and receiving federal contracts will be required to verify their workers’ immigration status through the E-Verify System. The system, created under the Bush Administration, shows employers whether their workers’ identification data matches that of government databases. However, many businesses have found that the system often provides unreliable and inaccurate information. There is even a pending lawsuit brought by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenging the constitutionality of such a system. Many believe that requiring such identity checks on all employees will only slow economic recovery during these trying times. This decision from President Obama is extremely disappointing and further proves the immediate need for national immigration reform.

Press Advisory: New England Immigrants and Supporters Celebrate May Day

When: Friday, May 1, various times Who: Immigrants and representatives from dozens of immigrant organizations, advocacy groups, unions, faith-based coalitions, community programs, and ethnic media companies. Where: East Boston-Chelsea-Everett, Mass. Worcester, Mass. Manchester, N.H. Providence, R.I. What: Immigrants and their supporters across New England rally for rights on a date celebrated around the globe as International Workers' Day. Along with friends at events across the nation, the MIRA Coalition joins forces with dozens of other organizations and hundreds of allies in the marches listed below: Greater Boston, Mass. A March from East Boston to Chelsea to Everett Supporters gather at 2:30 p.m. at Liberty Plaza in Central Square, East Boston. March arrives at 3:00 p.m. at Chelsea City Hall. March concludes with a rally and entertainment from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.in Glendale Park, 50 Elm Street, Everett. Sponsored by the Chelsea Collaborative (617) 889-6080 Worcester, Mass. "Workers Seeking Justice for All" Rally 5:30 p.m. at Worcester City Hall Speakers include: Sarang Sekhavat, MIRA Director of Federal Policy; Randy Feldman, immigration lawyer and community activist; Rocio Saenz, President SEIU Local 615; Wisam Breegi, Iraqi immigrant and businessman; Adalberto, member UNITE!/HERE union; Pastor Sarai Rivera, Christian Community Church; David Minasian, Carpenters Union Local 107; KOMBI represenative; Ron Madnick, Director ACLU Central Mass. Performers include: Maury Kungfu's Lion Dancers, Uruguayan Murga troupe "La Klandestina", a multicultural youth hip-hop team from the Toxic Soil Busters, and Ritmos Dance Acad Manchester, N.H. 4:00 p.m. Manchester City Hall Speakers include: New Hampshire A.F.L-C.I.O., religious and community leaders. Providence, R.I. 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Between the ICE office and the Family Court building 200 Dyer St. Local immigrants and friends rally in support of workers' and immigrants' rights.

Series of Stories Highlight Injustice of U.S. Immigration System

A number of stories appeared in the news today that highlighted the various injustices that are currently masquerading as an immigration system in the U.S.

First, The Boston Globe's Kevin Cullen wrote an op-ed profiling the impact of ICE's indiscriminate enforcement policies on the families of hard-working, tax-paying immigrants in the U.S. A father now faces deportation, while the rest of his family and its livelihood slowly slips away. His wife is left with the job of explaining to the family's four year old what is happening to his father:

Their youngest, the 4-year-old, sat in the circle at play group the other day and tried to explain what was going on to his buddies.

"The 4-year-old can't begin to fathom it, and I can't fathom how to explain it to him," Leah Arteaga was saying.

What is ICE's response? Nothing out of the ordinary, they used their normal refrain of "routine, targeted fugitive operation." I wonder if this report backs that assertion up? If you don't have time to read it, the answer is NO.

The New York Times ran another story highlighting the deplorable conditions of immigrant detention in the U.S., where ICE is having a hard time keeping track of the number of detainees who have died in detention. If last week's Amnesty International report and Keith Olbermann's tirade against U.S. detention policy wasn't enough, the Times article discusses the vanishing act that DHS and ICE tried to pull when a detainee died of a heart attack in 2005.

There have been a number of high-profile cases involving the death of immigrants in detention as the article details:

As Congress and the news media brought new scrutiny to the issue, several detention deaths have highlighted problems with medical care and accountability. In one, a Chinese computer engineer’s extensive cancer and fractured spine went undiagnosed at a Rhode Island jail until shortly before he died, despite his pleas for help. In another, records show a Guinean tailor who suffered a skull fracture in a New Jersey jail was left in isolation without treatment for more than 13 hours.

These unjust and inhumane practices need to stop immediately. If they don't we'll continue to here stories like this one:

The union learned that the inspector general’s office had written up a synopsis of the allegations for investigation by the immigration agency, saying that “Ahmad Tander,” a Pakistani detainee housed at the Monmouth jail, had died “from a heart attack whose symptoms were obvious, severe and ignored until it was too late,” amid “conditions of neglect and indifference to medical needs.”

Video Documents Impact of Raids on Families and Children

This video tells the story of the Carreno family, which has suffered at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. I.C.E. Took My Father from New America Media on Vimeo.

The raids must end.

Amnesty International Releases "Jailed Without Justice" Report Documenting Conditions of U.S. Immigration Detention

Amnesty International U.S.A. released a chilling report on conditions of immigrant detention in the U.S. today. Read the full report here.

Remember when reading the report and taking a look at key findings that the Massachusetts prison system relies on this injustice to support its budget.

You can also visit this page to view a slideshow of photos and captions that chronicle detention.

The report included the following information (blockquote from here):

• In the last decade the number of immigrants in detention has tripled from 10,000 in 1996 to over 30,000 in 2008, and this number is likely to increase even further in 2009.
• The US detains asylum seekers, survivors of torture and human trafficking, lawful permanent residents and the parents of U.S. citizen children.
• While the average cost of detaining an immigrant is $95 per person/per day, alternatives to detention are significantly cheaper, with some programs costing as little as $12 per day. Despite the proven effectiveness of these less expensive and less restrictive alternatives, the government is choosing to detain instead.
• Immigrants can be detained for months or years without any form of meaningful individualized review of whether their detention is necessary.
• The vast majority of people in immigration detention - 84 percent - are unable to obtain the legal assistance necessary to present viable claims in an adversarial and complex court process.
• The US contracts with approximately 350 state and county criminal jails to house approximately 67% of all immigrants in detention.
• Detention facilities are required to comply with ICE detention standards, however, these standards are not legally binding, and oversight and accountability for abuse or neglect in detention is almost nonexistent, leading to practices in violation of international standards. Immigrants are often put in excessive restraints, including handcuffs, belly chains and leg restraints, and are detained alongside individuals incarcerated for criminal offenses.
• Individuals in detention find it very difficult to get timely - and at times any - treatment for their medical needs. 74 people have died while in immigration detention over the past five years.

The report also includes the following recommendations:

1. The US Congress should pass legislation creating a presumption against the detention of immigrants and asylum seekers and ensuring that it be used as a measure of last resort;
   
2. The US government should ensure that alternative non-custodial measures, such as reporting requirements or an affordable bond, are always explicitly considered before resorting to detention. Reporting requirements should not be unduly onerous, invasive or difficult to comply with, especially for families with children and those of limited financial means. Conditions of release should be subject to judicial review.
   
3. The US Congress should pass legislation to ensure that all immigrants and asylum seekers have access to individualized hearings on the lawfulness, necessity, and appropriateness of detention.
   
4. The US government should ensure the adoption of enforceable human rights detention standards in all detention facilities that house immigration detainees, either through legislation or through the adoption of enforceable policies and procedures by the Department of Homeland Security. There should be effective independent oversight to ensure compliance with detention standards and accountability for any violations.

Kudos to our friends at AI for continuing the expose the national embarrassment that is immigrant detention.

Click on links for media coverage in The Boston Globe and a more detailed account in the San Francisco Chronicle.

In other news, AI is holding its annual general meeting this weekend in Boston (March 27-29). Check out the details here.

NYT Article Hits and Misses

The New York Times continues its series on new Americans this week with an article about the immigrant workforce in Tennessee, which is being hit hard by the current recession. The article has some interesting and important points, but like most articles on the immigrant workforce, it tends to focus solely on the undocumented workforce and fails to mention the issue of immigrants as taxpayers.

Contrasting the plight of immigrants in the workforce with those of the native-born population, the article discusses the importance of public benefits, such as unemployment insurance and food stamps, in keeping the native-born population above water during the recession. However, not once in the article do they mention that despite immigrants of all statuses paying taxes and contributing to the system, most are barred from accessing the same benefits as their native-born counterparts. Furthermore, the focus of the article exclusively on the undocumented workforce helps spread the misconception that all immigrants, particularly from Mexico, are undocumented.

That said, the article's discussion of macroeconomic forces (outsourcing) on the depression of wages as opposed to blaming immigrant workers is one that should take place more frequently, as is the brief mention of the expanding influence of immigrants in strengthening the labor movement. Finally, the concluding anecdote and quote from the article should be applauded for stressing the unity of all Americans in the struggle to provide for their families during the current economic environment.