Thanks all for joining the Coalition meeting this morning - and a deep note of gratitude to Congressman McGovern for joining us! We appreciate all you are doing to ensure low income households have access to core safety net benefits. Below is an update since we met this morning, along with two important upcoming events tomorrow.
What we know right now about Trump White House freeze on federal payments - stay tuned!
In follow up to this morning’s Coalition meeting, here is what we currently know about the White House’s directive to freeze federal fund payments. The White House budget office (OMB - the Office of Management and Budget) recently clarified in a memo this freeze does not impact SNAP. It states “mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP will continue without pause. Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused.” Note also advocacy groups representing non-profits and small businesses filed a lawsuit already to halt the freeze, and news reports are that a group of state attorneys general (including NY, CA, and MA) will file as well.
This situation is fluid. If there are any updates to what is stated above that impact the work SNAP Coalition partners are doing, we will keep you posted. In the meantime, please let me or Pat know of questions.
Rally tomorrow (Jan 29th) at Noon to Protect Our Immigrant Communities
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refuge Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) is launching the “Protect Our Immigrant Communities” campaign tomorrow at 12 Noon at the State House steps. Together with state lawmakers and fellow advocates, MIRA will highlight the necessary steps the Commonwealth must take to defend immigrants from new and developing, harmful federal policies. We urge those of you who are able to make it to join MLRI, MIRA and other orgs to help us defend our immigrant neighbors. More information about the rally is available here.
MIRA Coalition Know Your Rights Training, Thurs Feb 6th at 12 PM
This training will cover basic Know Your Rights information, including rights in interactions with immigration enforcement, including when immigration comes to your home or stops you while driving, family preparedness, public charge, where to get legal help, and information on notario fraud and immigration scams. Register here. And more resources in multiple languages HERE.