Stop Anti-Immigrant Amendments!

During last year's State Senate budget debate, a package of harmful amendments were passed that became the most severe blow to immigrant rights by the Massachusetts legislature in recent memory, the core effects of which eventually defused by the conference committee.

They are back.

Senators Tarr, Hedlund and Knapik filed a number of anti immigrant amendments in the FY2012 budget: from a 24 hour hotline to report suspected undocumented workers anonymously, to E-verify mandate and barring in-state tuition.

Please contact your Senators to let them know that you are against these amendments!

Sample call:

Hello, my name is _______ and I live in (city). I’m calling to strongly urge the Senator to vote NO on all anti-immigrant amendments to be debated in the Senate budget.

(If you would like you can list specific amendments by number, which are summarized below)

To find out who your Senator is please visit - www.wheredoivotema.com

Here is a summary of the amendments:

34	Basically bars US citizen children from state public housing if their parents do not have, do not yet have or cannot prove a lawful immigration status.
64	Allows police to seize your car if they suspect you are undocumented and to keep it and sell it if you are deportable
82	Increases penalties for using or creating false documents
122	· Requires any business providing any service to the state including subcontractors to use E-Verify · Requires the state to investigate any tip relating to a violation of immigration law · Increases the amount of times the state must verify immigration status · Fine for fraudulent driving learner’s permit · Most benefits programs would have to document legal status · Bars instate for undocumented · Limits the receipt of all medical benefits to lawfully present residents including emergency Medicaid, Healthy Start and the Health Safety Net
125	Poll workers may ask for state ID from anyone before voting
166	Requires all health services applications to be verified via federal database
353	· Creates 24 hr AG hotline to anonymously report suspected undocumented workers · Implement E-verify for all state contractors and vendors, and any subcontractors working with them
385	Requires a license or state ID to register a vehicle increases the penalties associated with using, creating, selling, or distributing an altered or false ID
407	Increases penalties for driving without a license
447	Requires a Social Security number for ALL medical applications

House Votes to Restore Health Care for Immigrants

Last night, the House voted to fund the Commonwealth Care Bridge program (see previous post for details) at $25 million for at least six months of FY2012, with further funding down the road.

MIRA is grateful for its allies at the ACT Coalition, MLRI and others, and thanks the Governor Patrick's commitment since 2009 when the legal immigrant population was excluded. We are also thankful for Rep. Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford) for his leadership on the floor year after year, for Rep. Tim Toomey (D-Cambridge)'s amendment effort, and for the House leadership.

After the 150-4 vote at 10:00PM, which also included funding for Adult Day health services, Patrick said in a statement: "I am grateful that Speaker DeLeo and his colleagues in the House have recognized the vital importance of restoring funding that provides health care for legal, taxpaying immigrants here in Massachusetts. All of the Commonwealth's residents deserve access to quality and affordable health care, and by protecting this program we can continue to do just that.”

Protect Health Care Coverage!

On April 15, Massachusetts’ House Ways & Means Committee eliminated the Commonwealth Care Bridge Program, threatening health care coverage for thousands of immigrants.

CommCare Bridge is a temporary, affordable and basic health care program that covers approximately 25,000 low- to moderate- income legal permanent residents, still under the 5-year residency waiting period for federally-funded coverage, like MassHealth.

MIRA, MLRI, ACT Coalition, and other allies are working closely with the Governor's Office and several State Representatives to amend the current House Budget to continue to fund the program at $50 million for FY 2012.

Two amendments are filed to restore the program: #715 (submitted by Rep. Cabral) and #750 (submitted by Rep. Toomey).

Without this coverage, these individuals can only rely on the over-burdened Health Safety Net program, adding cost prohibitive expenses to underfunded hospitals and health centers.

Cost issues aside, MIRA feels it is fundamentally wrong to disadvantage a sub-section of society based on their immigrant status.

Background on the Bridge program:

The Commonwealth Care Bridge Program is a state-subsidized health insurance program for “special status” legal immigrants who lost their Commonwealth Care coverage on August 31, 2009 because of changes in state law. The Bridge Program was created by the Massachusetts State Legislature to provide coverage for the individuals left uninsured by these changes. Bridge offers most of the benefits of Commonwealth Care, but does not include dental, vision, hospice or skilled nursing care.

Call your Representatives now (617-722-2000), and ask them to:

Support budget amendments #715 and #750 to continue the Commonwealth Care Bridge program at $50 million for fiscal year 2012.

House votes to restore health care for immigrants

Last night, the House voted to fund the Commonwealth Care Bridge program (see previous post for details) at $25 for at least six months of FY2012, with further funding down the road.

MIRA is grateful for its allies at the ACT Coalition, MLRI and others, and thanks the Governor Patrick's commitment since 2009 when the legal immigrant population was excluded. We are also thankful for Rep. Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford) for his leadership on the floor year after year, for Rep. Tim Toomey (D-Cambridge)'s amendment effort, and for the House leadership.

After the 150-4 vote last night, which also included funding for Adult Day health services, Patrick said in a statement: "I am grateful that Speaker DeLeo and his colleagues in the House have recognized the vital importance of restoring funding that provides health care for legal, taxpaying immigrants here in Massachusetts. All of the Commonwealth's residents deserve access to quality and affordable health care, and by protecting this program we can continue to do just that.”

Worcester Immigrants Say No to "S-Comm"

"We blew it," said John Grossman on Saturday afternoon to a Worcester meeting room packed with 150 to 200 immigrants. "And I’m here to apologize."

As undersecretary for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Grossman was referring to the collective failure of the Patrick administration to consult with the state's immigrant community before signing onto a controversial new immigration enforcement program, Secure Communities. The Worcester meeting, held at the city’s public library and hosted by The African Council, was the first of ten gatherings across the state at which Patrick’s representatives will work to rectify that wrong. Grossman promised that community questions and concerns would all be considered, and then "the governor is going to make a decision [about signing onto Secure Communities] sometime over the summer."

Judging from the passion of the questions and concerns aired in the two-hour meeting, the governor will be making that decision having heard that immigrants across Massachusetts oppose Secure Communities loud and clear. Slated for national implementation by 2013, the federal program reports the fingerprints of all persons arrested by local police to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which then may ask local police to hold the immigrant until deportation proceedings can begin. ICE's stated intention is to catch and deport serious criminal offenders, but studies have shown that non-criminals are often ensnared in the program's huge net. Secure Communities has operated in Boston as a pilot program since 2006. According to statistics going back to November 2008, 53 percent of those deported through Boston’s operations have NOT been criminal offenders. The primary effect of the program, instead, has been to turn local police into de facto immigration officials.

Speaking on a two-person panel, undersecretary Grossman enumerating the most common concerns about Secure Communities -- concerns that the community reiterated throughout the afternoon. First, it breaks the bond of trust built between immigrant communities and local police, potentially making our towns and cities more insecure for everyone. Second, it could encourage zealous police officers to target those they suspect of being undocumented, therefore raising the ugly specter of racial profiling. Third, Secure Communities contradicts President Obama’s claim to support just and humane immigration reform. As the president well knows, the vast majority of undocumented immigrants are otherwise law-abiding workers and family members. Given this country's antiquated and thoroughly dysfunctional immigration system, deportation is a punishment that far exceeds these immigrants’ violations, with reverberations that can decimate families and local communities as well.

The second panelist, MIRA Executive Director Eva Millona, elaborated on the program's problems in her portion of the presentation, offering charts showing the preponderance of non-criminal and low-level offenders actually deported in Boston and other municipalities. Millona also stressed the lack of transparency and complaint mechanisms in the system.

After the panel presentations, the audience stepped forward with questions and comments for the remainder of the two-hour meeting. In addition to numerous immigrants who spoke of their fears and concerns for loved ones, the commentators included a local Episcopalian Minister, a Worcester immigration lawyer, at least one domestic violence councilor, and a representative for Worcester Mayor Joseph O’Brien, who read a public letter asking Governor Patrick to reject the program. Most of the speakers addressed the governor’s delegation in English, though translators were on hand for those speaking Spanish and Portuguese.

Undersecretary Grossman stressed that legal confusion reigns about the governor’s obligation to sign onto the program, and he noted that it didn't need the administration’s approval to go forward. Grossman also offered some defense of the program itself, noting that the Ecuadoran mother and child recently killed in Brockton could possibly have been saved by Secure Communities. But others noted that mechanisms are already in place to catch dangerous criminals with immigration violations, and that Governor Patrick should listen to the concerns of the vast majority of law-abiding immigrants, just as he did during the hearings for the New Americans Agenda (NAA).

“Two years ago, through the NAA Executive Order, the governor showed leadership in the nation,” said Dolores Thibault-Muñoz, director of the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, an organization that participated in the NAA hearings. “I ask the governor, instead of signing on to the Secure Communities program, that he implement the 131 recommendations he committed to in the NAA. If he signs onto Secure Communities instead, it’s like taking 131 steps backward.”

Pro-Immigrant State Bills 2011-2012

We are happy to report that TEN bills with positive impacts on immigrant rights and integration were filed for the new legislative session, including An Act Regarding Higher Education Opportunities for High School Graduates in the Commonwealth (formerly in-state tuition bill) by Rep. Wolf, Rep. Provost, and Sen. Chang-Diaz. (House Docket #2036, no bill number yet).

The deadline for co-sponsorships is 5:00pm on Friday, February 4th. We need YOUR help to gather as many co-sponsors as possible!

Please ask to your legislators to co-sponsor the bills listed below ASAP. To co-sponsor a bill, legislative staff can use the State House electronic co-sponsor system and enter for example: “Higher Education Opportunities.” Let us know which legislators you’ve talked to so we can inform the bill’s lead sponsors.

We need to increase co-sponsorships for these pro-immigrant bills:

MIRA Coalition 2011-2012 State Legislative Priorities

Search for your State Representative and State Senator:
www.wheredoivotema.com
617-722-2000

DOWNLOAD PDF

Health care coverage for immigrants to be funded through June 2011 (FY2011)

MIRA welcomes the new year with great news — Just as it was about to run out at the end of January, the Commonwealth Care Bridge program has been funded until the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 2011!

Governor Patrick submitted and the legislature passed the supplemental budget approving these funds shortly after a productive late December meeting with Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez and Connector Executive Director Glen Shor. Hosted by Healthcare for All, the meeting was attended by MIRA, SEIU 1199, Mass Law Reform Institute, the American Cancer Society, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and the MA Hospital Association.

Thanks to our members, partner advocates, and the administration for not forgetting the the group of over 20,000 tax-paying permanent residents, or AWSS (aliens with special status). The program (run by CeltiCare) was completely cut by the legislature last Spring during the FY2011 budget process, with the possibility of funding it via federal FMAP funding (Federal Medical Assistance Percentages). Although FMAP funding was appropriated for Massachusetts, the program eventually went unfunded, and was temporarily extended through the Commonwealth Trust Fund.

This latest decision to fully extend funding is significant relief for thousands of families, but comes with a caveat: it does not allow new enrollees. MIRA will continue to keep you posted on the program.

In addition, we are excited to share that the supplemental budget also included promised funding for the Department of Public Health line item which covers the RISE programs (Refugee Immigrant Safety & Empowerment), making good on the legislative promise that this line would not receive cuts if federal funding was granted.

Gov. Patrick urges MA Senators to make the youths' DREAM a reality.

The following is an excerpt from the State House News Service:

STATE CAPITOL BRIEFS – LUNCH EDITION – WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1, 2010
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE


PATRICK LOBBIES BROWN, KERRY ON DREAM ACT

Gov. Deval Patrick, a supporter of in-state higher education tuition rates for eligible undocumented immigrants, has asked Sens. Scott Brown and John Kerry to support the DREAM Act, saying in a letter that he anticipated Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring it up for a vote this week. In a Nov. 24 letter to Brown and Kerry, Patrick said the act would establish a pathway for immigrant students to attain permanent residency if they came to the United States as children, are long-term residents, have good moral character, and attend an institution of higher learning or serve in the military for at least two years. "We have always been and will continue to be a nation that depends and thrives on the contributions of immigrants and refugees," Patrick wrote. "Our nation and our economy have been at their best when we have welcomed the ideas, work and commitment of our immigrants." Patrick said the DREAM Act would also authorize states to determine for themselves "whether educational benefits would be made available equally to all of the state's residents." Patrick wrote, "I believe that all immigrant young men and woman, who attend our high schools, earn their way into college, and commit to addressing their immigration status, should be afforded the same access to higher education as any other resident." On Nov. 16, Patrick told an audience gathered by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition at Boston's Tremont Temple that he would implement all 131 recommendations in a year-old administration report on issues facing immigrants. The report includes controversial plans to provide in-state tuition rates and driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. House Minority Leader Brad Jones said in-state tuition plans had failed before and would again, calling it a "ridiculous idea" and "a slap in the face to all Massachusetts taxpayers who expect state government to be focusing on stimulating the economy and putting people back to work."

All credit and rights belonging to:

State House News Service - State Capitol Briefs

Thanksgiving: an enduring immigrant tradition

On November 16th, MIRA continued the tradition of celebrating the immigrant family at it's 7th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. Thanksgiving first began when a group of some of the first immigrant settlers in America celebrated their harvest and the generosity of the native peoples. History since that idealized episode has been fraught with tensions between nativists and immigrants who believe in the the American Dream. But time and time again, as families gather around the table at the end of Fall, we remember the opportunities and rights this country promises its citizens. We also remember those who have joined our American family simply through a desire to succeed and be free, and whose inclusion was not based on race, ethnicity, origin or even heritage.

MIRA’s annual Thanksgiving Luncheon recalls that promise to newcomers in our midst who continue to expand America’s economic pie, enrich communities, and enliven our democracy. Represented by over 300 MIRA members, advocates, policymakers, religious leaders and service providers, the luncheon demonstrated the cultivation of a new life in this abundant land and the renewal of the American promise as a place of opportunity, justice, and refuge.

This year’s Thanksgiving Luncheon specially recognized the refugee journey, highlighting the accomplishments of the MAA Coalition of MA and the MA Haitian TPS consortium who have helped settle refugees from many tumultuous corners of the globe. Refugees who are given the resettlement resources and who successfully integrate into our society provide a rich example of the contributions immigrants make to Massachusetts and the nation. Regardless of the circumstances from which families and individuals emigrate, and the barriers they face as newcomers, they share a common destiny as part of America’s future, and common goals to work hard, provide for their families, and contribute to society.

As the nation pauses to celebrate family and recount blessings, let’s remember the immigrant story that began Thanksgiving. We thank immigrants for their determination to survive. We thank immigrants for their entrepreneurial skills and imaginations. We thank immigrants for the businesses and civic spaces they create. We thank immigrants for their wonderful examples of family devotion and sacrifices. We thank immigrants for giving us the thanksgiving spirit.

Gov. Patrick's Speech, courtesy of State House News Service:


Press Clips from the event: Boston Globe, MassLive, State House News

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."

Commonwealth Care Bridge Resources

Today marks the second day of Commonwealth Care Bridge in the Greater Boston area. To keep up to date on developments in the program, please check MIRA's state health care website frequently.

Below are some resources that are currently available:

• List of community health center's currently in the CommCare Bridge Greater Boston network and a spanish-language version of CeltiCare Explanation of Coverage for new members.

• Contact information for CeltiCare, including a number exclusively for transition in care issues.

• Frequently asked questions about the CommCare Bridge program, including a schedule of benefits and co-pays.

MIRA will continue to provide updates on its website and blog as we learn more. For a recent press statement from MIRA on the CommCare Bridge program, please click here.

PRESS STATEMENT: MIRA Applauds End of "Immigrant Hunt" Agreement in Mass. Municipalities

Framingham and Barnstable end Immigration Enforcement Deals

BOSTON-- In a major victory for immigrants and public safety advocates, all Massachusetts municipalities have now have ended participation in the highly criticized program that allows local law enforcers to act like federal immigration agents. This morning, the Boston Globe reported that the two remaining Massachusetts localities in the program, Barnstable and Framingham, have canceled their agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 287(g), as the program is known. The program -- "which enlists local law-enforcement agencies to hunt illegal immigrants," as a recent New York Times editorial characterized it -- has been criticized by the Government Accounting Office and deplored by independent reports for decreasing trust in the police and increasing the potential for racial profiling. The Police Foundation, a nonprofit research organization, found in an April report that the program strained budgets and undermined efforts at community policing. As one police chief told the report's authors, "How can you police a community that will not talk to you?" "We applaud the Framingham Police Department and The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office for ending their 287(g) accords," said Eva Millona, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). "It will go a long way toward restoring trust in the police among immigrant communities, thereby making all our towns and cities safer and more peaceful." The only remaining 287(g) accord in the state is with the Department of Correction. "We recognized the importance of detaining dangerous criminals and punishing their illegal behavior to the full extent of the law," Millona continued. "But 287(g) only detracts the police from this primary mission. In fact, its counterproductive effects work against the police's ultimate function-- to serve and protect."

PRESS STATEMENT: "CommCare Bridge" Shaky on Eve of Opening

BOSTON-- The new plan to provide health coverage for 31,000 immigrants rolls out in the Greater Boston area tomorrow. After cutting recent green-card recipients and other legal immigrants from Commonwealth Care coverage in the FY2010 budget, the state legislature compromised with the Patrick Administration and allocated $40 million -- less than one-third the cost of full CommCare coverage -- for a new managed-care plan, run by CeltiCare. On the eve of the roll out of the new plan, dubbed "CommCare Bridge," numerous questions and concerns remain about the bridge's security.

"We appreciate the efforts and commitment of the administration and CeltiCare to make the best of a bad situation," said Eva A. Millona, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). "But it remains a bad situation.We are concerned about access to affordable and comprehensive health care for these hard-working, tax-paying Massachusetts residents who were singled out for the cuts. In particular, we worry about the adequacy of CommCare Bridge's network of providers, as well as the plan's increased out-of-pocket expenses and its cap on future enrollment."

Currently, all but a small percentage of Boston's 11,500 CommCare Bridge members will need to find new health care providers, since the program's network does not currently include many institutions that have historically served this population, such as Boston Medical Center and Cambridge Health Alliance. Furthermore, with premium costs equal to those in full Commonwealth Care and some higher co-pays, the CommCare Bridge recipients will pay more for less.

"Until we see full restoration of Commonwealth Care coverage for these Massachusetts taxpayers," Millona continued, "we cannot expect them to receive adequate health care. We look forward to working with the Governor and the legislature to restore these important funds."

The plan is scheduled to roll out in Northern and Southern Massachusetts on November 1, and in Central and Western MA on December 1 (see list of service areas and rollout dates). A recent Boston Globe poll found that 43% of MA residents support full restoration of coverage in Commonwealth Care for the population, compared to 28% who felt coverage should remain as it is and 19% who felt coverage should be eliminated entirely.

MIRA's Analysis of FY10 Final House Budget

The House Committee on Ways & Means released the House Ways & Means version of the budget on April 15, 2009. Over the next two weeks, Representatives filed and debated amendments to the budget, before passing the final version of the House budget on Friday, May 1st.

Considering the current fiscal realities in Massachusetts and across the U.S., it is difficult to determine and define success this year. Furthermore, with revenue projections decreasing by the day and an estimated $456 million shortfall in April revenue, there will be more cuts ahead in the not too distant future, and the Senate will likely have fewer funds to work with than their counterparts in the House.

Nearly all programs and line items across the final House budget received cuts, including many of MIRA’s budget priorities. Some of MIRA’s priorities received minor cuts, others received larger cuts, and one program was completely eliminated from the final House budget. Of the five amendments filed on behalf of MIRA’s priorities, only two were added to the budget, and one of those was at half the desired level. Still, in this economic climate, every victory is important.

One important victory took place when an anti-immigrant amendment (Amendment #287 filed by Rep. Perry of Sandwich) that would have increased citizenship and immigration status verification requirements was voted down and replaced by a cost-benefit study that keeps the amendment out of the budget. The anti-immigrant amendment was defeated by a margin of 116-40. Numerous Representatives spoke up against the amendment on the floor and leadership assured its defeat. Please thank those who both supported our budget priorities and voted down the anti-immigrant amendment. We must be ready for similar anti-immigrant amendments in the Senate, where they have been successful in the past.

The following is an analysis of how MIRA’s budgetary priorities fared in the final House budget:

The Citizenship for New Americans Program (CNAP) (Line item 4003-0122) was funded at $500,000 in the final House budget, which represents a $80,000 cut from the Governor’s House 1 budget recommendation of $580,000 and a decrease of $110,000 from post-9C levels in FY09. MIRA thanks the House Ways & Means Committee for providing funding at levels equal to FY08, particularly considering the budget climate. Please thank Rep. Tony Cabral of New Bedford at 617-722-2017 for filing an amendment that would have increase citizenship funding.

The final House budget includes $28,085,646 for Adult Basic Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages (Line item 7035-0002), which represents a reduction of more than $3 million from FY09 levels of $31.1 million, a reduction of $1.9 million after this year’s 9-C cuts brought the value down to $29.9 million, and a cut of more than $1.1 million from the Governor’s recommendation of $29,223,195. MIRA and its allies are asking for funding at FY08 levels of $30.1 million. During times of economic crisis, MIRA and its allies feel that investing in the education and English language skills of the Commonwealth’s workforce and residents is a sound investment. The ABE/ESOL line item has been hit by a number of cuts in the last year, which total $3 million. Because everyone in the Commonwealth benefits from investments in our workforce, particularly in difficult economic times, we hope that the Senate budget recognizes this by funding ABE and ESOL at $30.1 million. Please thank Representative Frank Smizik of Brookline at 617-722-2676 and Representative Linda Dean Campbell of Methuen at 617-722-2877 for filing amendments that would have increased funding for ABE/ESOL.

The Workforce Training Fund (WTF) was funded at $21 million (line item 7003-0701) in the final House budget, after Representatives Coakley-Rivera and Rodrigues had their amendments added to the budget to increase the line item by $6 million. The Governor also proposed $21 million in the House 1 budget and MIRA was asking for full funding at $21 million to help facilitate the implementation of a Dedicated Fund for Workplace ABE/ESOL that combines funding from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s workplace education grants with funds from the WTF to create a single, streamlined fund that expands resources for workplace ABE/ESOL. The WTF is funded 100% through a tax on employers and, thus, does not impact funding of the General Fund. Please thank Representatives Coakley-Rivera of Springfield at 617-722-2014 and Representative Rodrigues of Westport at 617-722-2230 for filing amendments to fully fund the Workforce Training Fund at $21 million.

The line item containing the Refugee and Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (RISE) Program (4513-1130) was funded at $5,108,264 in the final House budget, down from nearly $6.4 million in FY09. The impact of the 20% cut on the RISE program will not be known until after the budget process, since the funds in the line item are disbursed through the Department of Public Health. As a result, it is currently unknown how the reduced funding will impact immigrants and refugees’ access to culturally and linguistically-appropriate domestic violence and sexual assault services, although language ensures the program will continue. The $300,000 set-aside for services for immigrants and refugees was eliminated, with the only positive coming in the language of the line item, which remains broad and inclusive of all immigrants. MIRA and its allies had been asking for level-funding of the line item at $6.4 million with $1,319,854 going to RISE. Please thank Representative Liz Malia of Boston at 617-722-2060 and Representative Driscoll of Braintree at 617-722-2396 for filing amendments to either increase funding for RISE and/or the line item.

The MassHealth Outreach and Enrollment Grants line item (4000-0352) was eliminated from the final House budget. The elimination of the line item reflects the Governor’s House 1 budget. MIRA and its allies are asking for level-funding at $3.5 million. Federal matching funds cover 60.2% (or $2.1 million) of the total in the line item, with the Commonwealth only responsible for $1.4 million. Unfortunately, the Governor and the House have failed to understand the importance of the grants to helping hard-to-reach populations, including immigrant communities and limited English proficient residents, retain coverage throughout the confusing enrollment reverification process. MIRA feels that the elimination of the line item will do nothing to reduce costs in the budget, as costly turnover in the system will increase, valuable time and energy will be lost navigating an incredibly complex system in which outreach and enrollment grantees have valuable expertise, and emergency room usage will increase. Please thank Representative Jim O’Day of Worcester at 617-722-2220 and Representative John Scibak of South Hadley at 617-722-2370 for filing amendments that would have reinstated the line item at $3.5 million.

Anti-immigrant Amendment #287, filed by Rep. Perry of Sandwich, that would have unnecessarily changed citizenship documentation and immigration status verification procedures at benefit-granting agencies for all federal and state benefits was defeated. Representative Alice Wolf of Cambridge offered a further amendment that called for a cost-benefit analysis of immigrants in the Commonwealth, a legislative maneuver that keeps the anti-immigrant amendment out of the budget. Aside from opposing the fundamental premise upon which Amendment #287 was filed—the assumption that benefit fraud from undocumented immigrants is widespread—MIRA and its allies fought anti-immigrant Amendment #287 because research has shown that increased citizenship documentation requirement disproportionately impact low-income U.S. citizens; require additional funding for outreach and education on new procedures and, as a result, represented an unfunded mandate; and our belief that current documentation and immigration status verification procedures already disenfranchise enough immigrant families who are eligible for federal and state benefits, among other reasons. Please review how your Representative voted and make sure they supported Rep. Wolf’s amendment by voting “Yea;” if they voted “Nay” please contact them to express your concerns and ask for their reasoning. Please also thank Representatives Wolf, Cabral, Swan, Bosley, Toomey, Sanchez, St. Fleur, and O’Flaherty who spoke on the floor against Amendment #287 and in favor of Rep. Wolf’s study.

Now, the budget process moves on to the Senate. The following is the projected timeline of the Senate budget:

May 13^th or 14^th: Senate Ways & Means releases its budget

May 15^th at 5pm: Deadline for filing amendments

May 19^th or 20^th: Begin budget debate

May 21^st: Finish budget debate

Please contact your Senator to urge them to support immigrant communities throughout the Commonwealth by co-sponsoring and supporting the line items and amendments for MIRA’s budgetary priorities. Below is the contact information for Senators as well as Senate leadership:

General Number: 617-722-2000

Senate Chairman of Ways & Means Panagiotakos: 617-722-1630

Senate President Murray: (617) 722-1500

If you do not know who your State Representative and/or Senator are, please visit: http://www.wheredoivotema.com.

For questions or more information, please contact Toby Guevin, MIRA’s State Policy Director, at tguevin@miracoalition.org or 617-350-5480 x216.

NY Times Article Highlights Struggles of Mixed-Status Families; Report Laments Barriers to Higher Ed Access Faced by Undocumented Students

A New York Times article over the weekend chronicled the challenges faced by mixed-status families, including the economic, social, and emotional strain of straddling two separate worlds within a single family.

A new report on higher ed access for undocumented students was released by a University of Washington professor. The report laments the "wasted talent" of high-achieving undocumented students being denied equal access to higher education because they are forced to pay out-of-state tuition rates, which are as much as three times in-state rates. To compund the high prices of out-of-state tuition costs at public colleges, undocumented students do not qualify for federal financial aid and many other loan and grant programs.

Here are some DREAM Act (federal version of education equality legislation) videos that show the students our state and public college system is missing out on:






- Toby

Another Great NY Times Editorial; Police Chiefs Support Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

The New York Times was at it again today, elaborating on the relationship between comprehensive immigration reform and supporting worker's rights. One key point that is often forgotten in the debate over immigration, jobs, and wages is this: who holds the power. As the editorial points out:

“Workers don’t depress wages. Unscrupulous employers do,” said Terence O’Sullivan, president of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

The weekend found this article on driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, an issue that has garnered a good deal of attention across Massachusetts over the past few weeks. Many anti-immigrants complain about the cost of providing non-existent benefits to undocumented immigrants; yet when an option is brought up that would save time and money and increase public safety, they aren't happy either.

ACTION ALERT: Advocacy Needed on CNAP Amendment Friday Morning!

As mentioned below, the Citizenship for New Americans Program (CNAP) received $500,000 in the House Ways & Means budget. We feel very fortunate to have received the funding, considering the elimination or severe cuts taken by other programs and services.

Still, the cut is $150,000 from FY09 and $110,000 after 9-C cuts and will impact programs and immigrants trying to naturalize, not to mention we do not know what the Senate will do yet with their budget. As a result, Representative Cabral of New Bedford will be filing an amendment to increase CNAP funding to the Governor's recommendation of $580,000. Amendments and co-sponsors are due by 5pm tomorrow! We need to call Reps Friday morning!

Here is what we need to do:

• Contact your Representatives and ask them to contact Rep. Cabral's office to co-sponsor the amendment to raise citizenship funding to the Governor's budget level of $580,000
  
• Follow-up to make sure they have signed on early in the day
• I will be at the State House for much of the day; e-mail to let me know who you have contacted so that we can make sure to follow up in person
  

What to say:

• We recognize the difficult nature of the budget, but the current level of funding represents a cut of nearly 25%, which will impact programs and their ability to serve clients
• Give examples of services that could be cut
  
• Our program relies on this funding to serve the needs of our district
• There are already people waiting for services, this will only increase the waitlist dramatically
  
• We don't know how much funding the Senate will include in their budget, so we need to be aggressive in the House
  

FYI...Budget Timeline

• Wednesday, April 15th: House releases FY10 budget proposal
• Friday, April 17th: Budget amendments that include co-sponsors due at 5pm
• Monday, April 20th-Friday April 24th: House Ways & Means staff consolidate amendments by topic
• Monday, April 27th: House budget debates begin
• Late April-early May:Contact your Senators!
• Mid-May: Senate releases FY10 budget proposal

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank you so much for all your work!

State Budget Update

The FY10 House Ways & Means Budget dropped yesterday with drastic cuts to most programs and services, including the elimination of many line items. To view MIRA's analysis of the HW&M budget on its budgetary priorities, click here. For a more comprehensive analysis of other important benefits, programs, and services, view the Mass Law Reform Budget analysis here or the MA Budget and Policy Center analysis here.

The drastic cuts highlight need for increased revenue. As part of the Stop the Cuts Coalition, MIRA will be pushing for new revenue from the state to reduce the cuts that imperil numerous essential services.

Please stay tuned to the blog for frequent updates and action alerts on amendments that are being filed. Below is the analysis in text format:

MIRA FY10 House Ways & Means Budget Analysis

On April 15, 2009, the House Committee on Ways & Means released the House Ways & Means version of the budget. Considering the current fiscal realities in Massachusetts and across the U.S., returns were mixed with all program receiving cuts of different degrees and one being completely eliminated. Many of the immigrant community’s friends and allies have been hit hard by the House Ways & Means budget. Local aid has been cut significantly and other essential programs and services have been slashed or eliminated. As a member of the Stop the Cuts Coalition, MIRA will work actively to reduce the cuts and support new revenues. The following is an analysis of how the House Ways & Means budget impacted each of MIRA’s budgetary priorities:

The Citizenship for New Americans Program (CNAP) (Line item 4003-0122) was funded at $500,000 in the House Ways & Means budget, which represents a $80,000 cut from the Governor’s House 1 budget recommendation of $580,000 and a decrease of $150,000 from FY09. CNAP was also impacted by this year’s 9C cuts, losing over $40,000. MIRA thanks the House Ways & Means Committee for providing funding at levels equal to FY08, particularly considering the budget climate, but we hope to increase funding through the amendment process and Senate budget. Next Steps: MIRA is working with leaders in the House on strategy around an amendment and will send out an alert as soon as possible.

The House Ways & Means budget included $28,085,646 for Adult Basic Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages (Line item 7035-0002), which represents a reduction of more than $3 million from FY09 levels of $31.1 million, a reduction of $1.9 million after this year’s 9-C cuts brought the value down to $29.9 million, and a cut of more than $1.1 million from the Governor’s recommendation of $29,223,195. MIRA and its allies are asking for funding at FY08 levels of $30.1 million. During times of economic crisis, MIRA and its allies feel that investing in the education and English language skills of the Commonwealth’s workforce and residents is a sound investment. The ABE/ESOL line item has been hit by a number of cuts in the last year, which total $3 million. Because everyone in the Commonwealth benefits from investments in our workforce, particularly in difficult economic times, we hope that the Senate budget recognizes this by funding ABE and ESOL at $30.1 million. Next Steps: MIRA, with support of allies like MA Coalition for Adult Education (MCAE), are discussing strategy and potential amendments. Please be on the lookout for further information in the coming days.

The Workforce Training Fund (WTF) was funded at $15 million (line item 7003-0701), a decrease of $6 million from FY09 but an increase of $3 million after the Governor’s FY09 9-C cuts. The Governor proposed $21 million in the House 1 budget and MIRA was asking for full funding at $21 million to help facilitate the implementation of a Dedicated Fund for Workplace Education that combines funding from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s workplace education grants with funds from the WTF to create a single, streamlined fund that expands resources for workplace education.

The line item containing the Refugee and Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (RISE) Program (4513-1130) took a severe cut of over 40% down to $4,058,264 from nearly $6.4 million. MIRA is investigating the impact of this figure on the RISE program, as it is currently unknown how the reduced funding will impact immigrants and refugees’ access to culturally and linguistically-appropriate domestic violence and sexual assault services. The earmark for services for immigrants and refugees was eliminated for a cut of at least $300,000, with the only positive coming in the language of the line item, which remains strong. MIRA and its allies had been asking for level-funding of the line item at $6.4 million with $1,319,854 going to RISE. Next Steps: Representative Liz Malia of Boston will be filing an amendment for RISE.

The MassHealth Outreach and Enrollment Grants line item (4000-0352) was eliminated from the House Ways & Means budget. The elimination of the line item reflects the Governor’s House 1 budget. MIRA and its allies are asking for level-funding of $3.5 million. Unfortunately, the Governor and now House Ways & Means have failed to understand the importance of the grants to helping hard-to-reach populations, including immigrant communities and limited English proficient residents, retain coverage throughout the confusing enrollment reverification process. MIRA feels that the elimination of the line item will do nothing to reduce costs in the budget, as costly turnover in the system will increase and valuable time and energy will be lost navigating an incredibly complex system in which outreach and enrollment grantees have valuable expertise. The grants are also matched at 50% by the federal government, so the cost to the Commonwealth would only be $1.75 million. Next Steps: Representative O’Day will be filing an amendment in the House to reinstate the line item at $3.5 million.

Please contact your Representative or Senator to urge them to support immigrant communities throughout the Commonwealth by co-sponsoring the amendments for MIRA’s budgetary priorities. Below is the contact information for Representatives and Senators as well as House and Senate leadership:

General Number: 617-722-2000

Speaker DeLeo: 617-722-2500

Senate Chairman of Ways & Means Panagiotakos: 617-722-1630

Senate President Murray: (617) 722-1500

If you do not know who your State Representative and/or Senator are, please visit: http://www.wheredoivotema.com. For more information or questions, please contact Toby Guevin at tguevin@miracoalition.org or 617-350-5480 x216.