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Monthly Archives

September 2022

Sep 20 2022

Warren Statement on Ongoing Developments on Martha’s Vineyard

By Immigration in the News

Read text of Press Release here: Warren Statement on Ongoing Developments on Martha’s Vineyard | U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts (senate.gov)

Boston, MA — United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement with an update on her work today regarding the developments on Martha’s Vineyard:

“Exploiting vulnerable people for political stunts is repulsive and cruel. Massachusetts is fully capable of handling asylum seekers, and today I discussed potential options for federal resources with Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. I am in regular communication with State Senator Julian Cyr, State Representative Dylan Fernandes, and leaders on the ground, and I will keep working with local, state, Congressional, and other federal partners to ensure that we have the necessary resources to care for people with dignity.

“In the spirit of selflessness and humanity that has long defined who we are as a Commonwealth, Islanders and people across Massachusetts have joined together to assist migrants that have arrived. I am grateful to these community leaders. This is something we can do – work together, remember our values, put aside the politics and support the people who need our help.”

 

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Sep 19 2022

AILA New England’s Statement on Developments on Martha’s Vineyard

By Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

Contact: Adrienne J. Vaughan, Chair, American Immigration Lawyer’s Association’s New England Chapter at [email protected]

AILA New England’s Statement on Developments on Martha’s Vineyard

The transport of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts by Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis is a cruel and despicable act that disregards the value of both human life and of the immigration laws. DeSantis’ treatment of migrants through deceit is not only reprehensible – it is unlawful. The American Immigration Lawyers Association’s New England Chapter denounces the exploitation of vulnerable people as political pawns.

Media reports’ portrayal of these migrants as “illegals” is completely incorrect. U.S. immigration laws protect the rights of individuals to seek asylum through proper channels. Under the law, after initial processing and initial review of an asylum claim, the Department of Homeland Security may release migrants from federal custody so that they may pursue asylum claims.

We applaud the efforts of the people of Martha’s Vineyard, and New England generally, in rushing to the aid of these vulnerable individuals. AILA New England supports the migrants who are victims of this political stunt. AILA New England supports its volunteer member attorneys who have traveled to Martha’s Vineyard to triage this situation as well as those who will, in the coming months, be continuing to provide legal counsel to these migrants. Local organizations have also been indispensable in these efforts, and we would like to express our profound gratitude for their continued support and humanity.

Let’s use this event as an opportunity to discuss where our immigration system needs improvement. We can do better, and we must do better. The federal government must allocate resources to build and reinforce the infrastructure to better serve people seeking asylum.

Sep 16 2022

Attorney Rachel Self addresses Martha’s Vineyard migrants sent by Governor DeSantis

By Members in the News

Attorney Rachel Self’s message is clear: “[t]o the people who find themselves plane wrecked on our island, I have a message for you. You are not alone. We have your backs. We got you. If the intention of those who perpetrated this horrendous act was to create a crisis, they have failed.”

Watch it here: Immigration lawyers say Mass. migrants given misleading information in Texas – YouTube