Over the last couple of weeks, HCFA has participated in multiple community events to support immigrant rights in Massachusetts. HCFA’s Community Engagement Coordinator Edwin Santana wrote about two of those events in our latest blog. Read more:
On Wednesday, March 19th, Health Care For All (HCFA) joined advocates and organizations at the State House for “Immigrants Day”, hosted by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition. This powerful event featured many individuals who are immigrants themselves sending a strong message: they’re not going anywhere, and they’re ready to fight for their communities.
This year’s Immigrants Day was massive—twice the size of last year’s—and was an exciting day filled with passionate guest speakers, important conversations and crucial opportunities to connect with others who are supporting immigrant communities here in Massachusetts. Discussions revolved around new state policies designed to push back against the Trump administration’s immigration orders.
HCFA hears from callers every day on our HelpLine trying to navigate the federal administration’s policies. Since the Trump administration took office, fear has spread across the country, especially as immigration policies have gotten stricter. In Massachusetts, this has had a huge impact. Many in our immigrant communities, including those served by Health Care For All, are afraid to leave their homes out of fear. This in turn can lead to avoiding medical care, an especially concerning trend among families with young children or individuals with chronic health conditions.
Knowing all of this, HCFA was proud to support MIRA as we stand together to advocate for solutions that can help these communities access the care they need without fear.
To demonstrate the organization’s commitment to the cause, HCFA took proactive steps to ensure that the new policies were brought directly to the attention of legislators. We prioritized engaging with legislators or their staff in the State House, sharing our insights and passionately advocating on behalf of comprehensive solutions. Through these face-to-face conversations, we highlighted the importance of the MIRA-supported policies and emphasized the significant impact they would have, explaining why they are critical for Massachusetts’ future.
Recently, Health Care For All (HCFA) had the privilege of attending the Immigrant Family Services Institute, Inc. (IFSI) Symposium: Charting the Path Forward, an event that brought together nonprofit organizations from across Massachusetts. This gathering focused on how we, as individuals and as communities, can navigate the challenges brought about by harsh policies of the Trump administration.
The symposium was more than just a meeting—it was a chance to come together, share knowledge and figure out how we can support each other during these tough times. It’s clear that while times may be challenging, events like this one serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience we have when we join forces.
HCFA connected with many passionate individuals and organizations eager to learn, grow and lend a hand to those in need. Whether it was talking about the current political climate or sharing ideas on how to take action, the energy was inspiring.
We dove deep into what’s going on in our state and country, and how these changes are trickling down to affect individuals—particularly the immigrant and refugee communities. It was a stark reminder of how the policies of the new administration are making life difficult for many Massachusetts residents.
One of the key takeaways was how important it is to be proactive and prepared. We talked about what we, as organizations and individuals, can do to support the people who are most affected by these policies. We had panel discussions with experts in various fields, breakout groups that allowed for deeper conversations, and strategizing sessions where we could brainstorm best practices to support the immigrant community. The overall focus for attendees was not just to understand the issues but also work together to explore real solutions and strategies. As every advocate knows, it’s one thing to talk about the problem—it’s another to take action.
Ultimately, the themes of the symposium were hope and resilience. It was a reminder that even in these difficult times, we have the power to support each other and push for positive change. By coming together, we can create a community that’s strong, united and ready to take action for those who need it most.
Edwin Santana is HCFA’s Community Engagement Coordinator