麻州政府將和國土安全局合作 13日那週為移民提供工作授權協助

(Boston Orange) 麻州政府今日 (30) 宣佈，將和美國國土安全部合作，在 2023 年 11 月 13 日的這個星期，為住在緊急家庭避難所的移民舉辦工作授權門診。麻州還將安排預約並提供從收容所到位於米斗塞郡門診的交通工具。拜登-哈里斯政府將提供現場支援，協助收集資料和處理工作授權申請。

麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 表示，麻州很高興拜登-哈里斯政府和麻州一起主辦這門診活動，以盡可能有效率的處理工作授權事宜。許多助在庇護所的人都想要工作，卻面對著取得工作授權這重大障礙。這門診對麻州已經在做的為移民提供工作機會來說很重要，將幫助移民養家活口，從緊急避難所搬到更穩定的居所。

這法律門診將以麻州為移民家庭所辦理，提供法律援助的項目為基礎，幫助住在庇護所的人開始工作。這些項目包括，

1.     麻州企業基金 (Commonwealth Corporation Foundation): 麻州政府和企業合作的新項目，把企業和庇護所內還在等工作許可證，但想要得到就業培訓或技能發展的居民連結起來。這項目將從Salem市，以實驗方式開始，再隨著時間演進，和有興趣的其他企業和庇護所合作。有興趣的雇主或企業，可以聯 LWDBusinessinfo@mass.gov. 

2.     麻州聘僱 (MassHire) : 這是把「麻州聘僱」的區域人力委員會和職業中心和麻州內的庇護所連接起來的計畫，目的在評估庇護所內已有工作授權居民之技能，以及是否已做好就業準備。初期階段將以麻州內，代表大約1500個家庭的14個庇護所為重心。這計畫已經展現出成果。例如南岸「麻州聘僱」和鄧肯甜甜圈 (Dunkin Donuts) 填滿了30個職位空缺，和Plymouth區域聯盟的庇護所提供者合作，為庇護所居民提供工作機會。有興趣的雇主和企業應聯繫 LWDBusinessinfo@mass.gov。

3.     移民援助服務 (Immigrant Assistance Services):  七月時，麻州政府經由麻州移民及南民援助聯盟 (MIRA)，推出移民援助服務  (IAS)。這項目目前大部分在有工作人員的庇護所辦理，提供個案管理及工作授權、特赦，以及申請臨時保護等協助。

4.     安置機構服務 (Resettlement Agencies Services): 九月時，麻州政府推出由安置機構主導，額外的法律援助服務。這項目主要目標為新來到家庭，由於聯邦政府政策最近的變動，也由於在邊境時是使用CBP1應用程式入境，他們可以立即申請工作授權。

5.     無償項目 (Pro Bono Program): 麻州政府在本月份稍早前，和移民組織合作無償，為大型庇護所為100多個家庭提供服務。

6.     法律服務合約 (Legal Services Contract) : 麻州政府最近開始和法律服務機構簽約，在25個庇護所提供服務。

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Upcoming Work Authorization Legal Clinic in Partnership with DHS 

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be hosting a work authorization clinic for migrants staying in emergency family shelter during the week of November 13, 2023. The state will be organizing appointments and providing transportation from shelter sites to the clinic, which will take place in Middlesex County. The Biden-Harris Administration will be providing onsite support to help collect and process work authorizations.    

 

“We are glad that the Biden-Harris Administration is hosting this clinic with us, which will help process work authorizations as efficiently as possible. Many shelter residents want to work but face significant barriers to getting their work authorizations,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This clinic will be critical for building on the work that our administration has already been leading to connect more migrants with work opportunities, which will help them support their families and move out of emergency shelter into more stable housing options.” 

 

This clinic will build on several programs currently operated by the state to provide legal assistance to EA families and help shelter residents start working, including: 

1.     Commonwealth Corporation Foundation: The administration has launched a new partnership with Commonwealth Corporation Foundation to connect businesses to individuals in shelter who are still waiting for their work authorization but looking to gain on-the-job training and skills development. This new program is beginning as a pilot, starting with Salem but with interest in building business partnerships in other shelters and communities over time. Interested employers and businesses should contact LWDBusinessinfo@mass.gov. 

2.     MassHire: This program connects MassHire Regional Workforce Boards and careers centers to shelters statewide with the goal of assessing skills and work readiness of residents who have their work authorization. The initial phase of this new program is focused on 14 shelter sites across the state, representing approximately 1,500 families. The program is already showing results. For example, MassHire South Shore is working with Dunkin Donuts to fill 30 employment openings and coordinating with Plymouth Area Coalition shelter provider to connect shelter residents to jobs. Interested employers and businesses should contact LWDBusinessinfo@mass.gov. 

3.     Immigrant Assistance Services: In July, the administration launched the Immigrant Assistance Services (IAS) Program led by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). The IAS program currently operates largely in staffed shelters, assisting with case management and work authorization, asylum, and Temporary Protected Status applications.  

4.     Resettlement Agencies Services: In September, the administration launched additional legal aid services led by resettlement agencies. This program focuses on new arrivals who, because of recent changes in federal policy and because these families entered at the border using the CBP1 app, can immediately apply for work authorization.   

5.     Pro Bono Program: Earlier this month, the administration launched a Pro Bono Program with immigration organizations to provide services for more than 100 families at large shelters    

Legal Services Contract: The administration recently began contracting with legal services agencies to provide services in 25 shelter sites across the state.