BOSTON—The Hall of Flags inside the Massachusetts State House was packed on Wednesday as hundreds of immigrants, advocates, and lawmakers gathered for the 29th annual Immigrants’ Day, organized by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition. Against the backdrop of federal immigration policies that have drawn sharp criticism, attendees pressed state leaders to take decisive action in support of immigrant communities.
State Senator Adam Gomez, a Springfield Democrat, was among those addressing the crowd, emphasizing the state’s historical role as a refuge for those seeking a better life.
“Massachusetts is a state of immigrants, built from multiple generations of people escaping one situation in search of a better life for themselves and their families,” Senator Gomez said. “We must ensure that immigration rights are protected and that all individuals receive due process under our shelter laws.”
The event, themed “Together in Action,” highlighted recent legislative gains while urging lawmakers to advance key proposals aimed at protecting immigrant rights. Chief among them was the Safe Communities Act, which would bar local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws, and the Immigrant Legal Defense Act, designed to provide legal representation to those facing deportation.
Several lawmakers underscored the urgency of these measures, warning of the dangers posed by what they described as the federal government’s hostile approach to immigration enforcement.
“As a first-generation Cabo Verdean-American legislator and as someone from a mixed-status family, I know that the immigrant story is one of hard work, sacrifice, and hope—not criminality,” said State Senator Liz Miranda of Roxbury. She accused the Trump administration of using “the politics of fear and division” to isolate immigrant communities and create dangerous conditions for workers, domestic violence survivors, and students fearful of deportation.
Senator Jamie Eldridge of Marlborough echoed those concerns, arguing that failing to pass the Safe Communities Act would undermine public safety by eroding trust between police and immigrant communities. “When that trust is lost, the safety of the entire Commonwealth is at risk,” Eldridge said.
State Representative Carlos González of Springfield framed the issue as a test of national values. “The strength of our democracy is measured by how we treat the most vulnerable among us,” he said. “We cannot fail in our duty to provide immigrants with the protection and opportunities enshrined in our Constitution.”
Beyond the legislative debate, the event also provided a platform for those directly affected by immigration enforcement policies. Suyanne Amaral, whose husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this year and imprisoned in Texas, shared her family’s ordeal. Although her husband has since returned home, he remains at risk of deportation.
“This country was built—and continues to be built—by the hard work of immigrants,” Amaral said. “We are teachers, nurses, small business owners, laborers, and yes, ministers. We love this nation for its values and its opportunities. But love should not come at the cost of our families.”
As the event concluded, organizers urged attendees to channel their momentum into action, vowing to continue pressuring lawmakers in the weeks and months ahead.
For more information, Senator Gomez’s office can be reached at Adam.Gomez@MASenate.gov.
