波士頓市長吳弭宣佈撥款440萬元支援移民社區對抗聯邦打壓

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈撥款440萬元支持移民社區。（周菊子攝）

         （Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）今日宣佈總額超過440萬美元的兩項資金合作大計劃，以因應聯邦政府近來政策變更，打壓移民的行動，支援波士頓移民社區獲得必要的語言及法律協助，公共服務，保障他們的權利。

波士頓市議會議長Liz Breadon（左起）和市長的策略合作顧問陳綽敏，
華人前進會榮譽主席李素影在會外商議。（周菊子攝）

            吳弭市長今日一早率同身為海地移民子女的波士頓市議員Ruthzee Louijeune，以及波士頓基金會執行長Lee Pelton，麻州灣聯合勸募會執行長Marty Martinez，華人前進會榮譽主席李素影等慈善機構及非牟利移民社區服務組織共二、三十人，在波士頓市政府五樓老鷹室，宣佈撥款，譴責川普政府的大規模遣返移民政策，以及執法不當，強調在這時刻支援移民社區的重要性。

十幾個移民組織代表出席聲援。（周菊子攝）

            在現場的還有波士頓市議會議長Liz Breadon，波士頓市長吳弭點名感謝的波士頓市長策略夥伴顧問陳綽敏，以及波士頓市平等與包容長Mariangely Solis Cervera，移民進步辦公室主任Monique Tu Nguyen等人。

吳弭市長請移民社區組織出席，說明支援移民的重要性。

            Ruthzee Louijeune提到一名住在波士頓的海地移民Emmanuel Damas去年被移民及海關執法局（ICE）逮補，3月初卻在ICR的監管中死於亞利桑納州（Arizona)的醫院，身後遺有13歲的兒子等人。他的家人說，死因是牙齒感染未獲治療。但ICE卻說他是獲得了足夠的治療。

            李素影也說，波士頓華埠也有至少一名移民被ICE帶走。這人已遞交文件，正在辦理移民申請，他是家中唯一的經濟來源，還有一名身心有障礙，極端依賴父親的兒子。她的突然被捕，不只讓全家生活陷入困境，他兒子也變得歇斯底里，難以照顧。

波士頓基金會執行長Lee Pelton(左起），華人前進會榮譽主席李素影
和麻州灣聯合勸募會執行長Ｍarty Martinez。（周菊子攝）

波士頓基金會執行長Lee Pelton則指出，波士頓市居民有28%出生在海外，每年繳交給聯邦，州及市政府的稅金高達23億美元，移民居民的消費力更高達60億美元，貢獻如此之大的移民社區，應該得到更公平的對待。

            吳弭強調，不論移民家庭是初來乍到，還是已在波士頓世代居住，波士頓都不會讓任何人衝進波士頓，擾亂波士頓內的社區。

            吳弭市長在大約一個月前才簽署了行政命令，禁止聯邦移民局人員在市府物業羈押人，還說執法人員會調查任何違反地方或州法的移民局工作人員。

            吳弭市長宣佈的資金計劃，主要有兩大部分，一為公私部門合作，波士頓基金會（The Boston Foundation），麻州灣聯合勸募（United Way of Massachusetts Bay ），以及巴爾基金會（The Barr Foundation) 等承諾提供310萬餘元，一為波士頓市政府的移民進步辦公室（MOIA）撥款130萬元。

            公私部門合作提供的310萬餘美元，將用於支持協助移民獲取關鍵服務、參與經濟活動及行使法律權利的組織。

波士頓市移民進步辦公室（MOIA）將動用來自外部捐贈的5.3萬，以及2026年度波士頓市年度預算的共1,312,782美元，做3件事。一為撥款879,265美元提供移民法律服務，分發給18家非營利及法律援助機構，為移民提供法律諮詢及代表律師等服務，二是撥款269,517美元支持移民社區的身心健康，分發給32家組織，推動具文化與語言敏感度的心理健康及社區福祉項目，三為撥款164,000美元強化多元社區，給13家機構，支持由社區主導的基層倡議，如糧食正義與環境行動。

獲得MOIA撥給資金的組織及機構如下：

獲得移民法律援助（Immigration Legal Access）共879,265元經費的有18個組織：

·       Agencia ALPHA

·       Boston Area Rape Crisis Center 

·       Brazilian Worker Center 

·       Catholic Charities Boston

·       Centro Presente

·       De Novo Center for Justice and Healing

·       Greater Boston Legal Services

·       Immigrant Family Services Institute

·       International Institute of New England 

·       Justice at Work

·       KIND

·       Lawyers for Civil Rights

·       Mabel Center for Immigrant Justice

·       Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers

·       Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

·       Political Asylum / Immigration Representation Project

·       Project Citizenship 

·       Rian Immigrant Center

獲得身心健康支援（Weaving Well-Being）共269,517元資助的有32個機構：

·       Abilities Dance Incorporated

·       Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation

·       Asian Women for Health

·       BalletRox

·       Berklee College of Music

·       Boston Little Saigon

·       Cape Verdean Association of Massachusetts

·       Center for Community Health Education and Research

·       Centro Presente

·       Chica Project

·       East Boston Community Soup Kitchen

·       EHR Boston Communities

·       Fan S Noli Library and Cultural Center

·       Friends of St. Stephen's Youth Programs 

·       Gilbert Albert Community Center

·       Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center

·       I Learn America

·       Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI-USA)

·       La Alianza Hispana

·       Maverick Landing Community Services

·       Mutual Aid Eastie

·       OUTNewcomers

·       Rian Immigrant Center

·       Sahiyo

·       Shaloh School Oholei Torah

·       Soccer Without Borders

·       Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education (SPACE)

·       The City School

·       The Diahann Project

·       Veronica Robles Cultural Center

·       Waldo Immigration and Refugee Services

·       Young Man with a Plan

獲得“強化波士頓多元社區”共164,000元資助的有13個機構：

·       Asian American Resource Workshop

·       Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network Massachusetts

·       Brazilian Worker Center

·       Chinese Progressive Association

·       Casserly House

·       Community Service Care

·       Eastie Farm

·       Friends of the Rafael Hernández School

·       Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

·       Shalupe Community Alliance

·       Equity Now & Beyond

·       Unnamed Youth Organizing Network

·       Voice of Tabernacle Multi Service Center

麻州長Healey譴責川普關稅政策 要求聯邦給麻州每戶人家退款1745元

           （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚利（Maura Healey）今（10）日發信給美國財政部部長貝森特（Scott Bessent），要求川普政府為錯誤的關稅政策，退給麻州居民每戶1745元。

奚莉州長認為川普政府的關稅政策是「違憲」且「非法」的，在 2025 年 2 月至 2026 年 1 月期間，從民生雜貨、家居用品到建築材料，物價因關稅而全面上漲，等於從全美民眾手中強行奪取了超過 1,000 億美元。

其中應該退還給麻州的關稅款總計約 48.8 億美元。根據國會經濟委員會數據，這有如川普的關稅政策導致麻州280萬戶人家，每戶家庭額外支出約 1,745 美元，也就是從人民的口袋中「非法沒收」了約 1,745 美元，應該退還。

奚莉州長表示，已啟動麻州關稅應對與企業營運支援倡議」，正召集商業領袖討論受害情況，並邀請美東六州州長及加拿大六省首長，共同研商區域性的經濟配套措施。

Governor Healey Demands $1,745 Refund for Massachusetts Residents Harmed by President Trump’s Illegal Tariffs 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent demanding a $1,745 refund to every Massachusetts household for the financial harm caused by President Trump’s unconstitutional tariffs. Data from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee estimates that the Trump Administration’s tariff actions cost American consumers approximately $1,745 per household between February 2025 and January 2026.   

“With approximately 2.8 million households in Massachusetts, my office estimates that $4,886,000,000 is owed to consumers in our state who shouldered the burden of increased costs. I call on the Trump Administration to immediately formulate a plan to refund tariff proceeds and put money back in the pockets of the hardworking people of Massachusetts,” wrote Governor Healey. “From groceries and household goods to construction materials and consumer products, Massachusetts residents paid more at the register and businesses absorbed higher operating costs. Having unlawfully seized over $100 billion dollars from American people and businesses, the federal government must immediately take steps to pay full restitution.” 

In the letter, she also continues to urge the President to reconsider his new global tariffs, as they will once again raise costs on consumers and businesses. 

Since President Trump began imposing tariffs on our trading partners, Governor Healey has spoken out against them. In an effort to curb the impact in Massachusetts, her administration launched the Massachusetts Tariff Response and Business Operations Support Initiative to align state resources to aid Massachusetts businesses, convened Massachusetts business leaders to discuss how tariffs were impacting them, and invited six Northeastern Governors and six Canadian Premiers to the State House to discuss regional collaboration.  

The full letter can be read here.  

Governor Healey Increases Home Heating Assistance Benefits for Tens of Thousands of Massachusetts Households

Governor Healey Increases Home Heating Assistance Benefits for Tens of Thousands of Massachusetts Households 

BOSTON – As Massachusetts experiences one of its coldest winters in recent years, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is increasing Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefits for tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents who rely on the federally funded program to  help pay for home heating. 

 

Persistent below-average freezing temperatures have resulted in one of the coldest Massachusetts winters in recent history. As a result, 72 percent  of HEAP clients (approximately 54,000 households) have less than $100 remaining in heating benefitsfor the rest of the heating season, which runs from November through April. 

 

“We know heating costs are putting a strain on families, especially during a winter like this one. And costs are only increasing because of President Trump’s war in Iran,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Increasing these benefits will help make sure seniors, families with children and other residents can keep their homes warm during the coldest weeks of the year.” 

 

“This program plays an important role in helping residents manage their energy costs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By increasing benefits now, we can make sure the program continues to work as intended for households that rely on this assistance.” 

 

“This year, due to high utilization of benefits and to support the immediate heating needs of Massachusetts residents, we are increasing home heating benefits to help seniors and families with children stay safe and warm in the final weeks of winter,” said Jennifer Maddox, Interim Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. 

 

During the 2024-2025 heating season, the HEAP program provided financial assistance to more than 159,000 Massachusetts households.. The majority of households  served by HEAP- 54 percent- are seniors living on fixed incomes, and approximately 11 percent of participating households assisted by HEAP include children under the age of six. 

  

Currently, the maximum HEAP benefit for households using deliverable fuels such as oil, propane, and kerosene is $1,000, while the maximum benefit for households using  utilities  such as natural gas or electric is $850.  The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) projects increasing the maximum deliverable fuel benefit from $1,000 to $1,400 and the maximum utility benefit from $850 to $925 in anticipation of receiving the final $15 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the coming months. 

 

Historically, HHS provides the final 10 percent of Massachusetts’ annual HEAP funding late in the winter season, allowing the state to adjust and often increase benefit levels based on demand. In prior years, the state has typically waited to increase benefits until this final funding allocation is received. 

 

In November 2025, at the start of this year’s heating season and despite a federal government shutdown, the Healey-Driscoll Administration was able to leverage carryover HEAP funding to provide emergency heating assistance to households with the greatest need and initiated the winter utility shut-off moratorium weeks early to ensure residents would not lose heat during the coldest months. 

CITY OF BOSTON TO HOST FIRST EVER 311 DAY

CITY OF BOSTON TO HOST FIRST EVER 311 DAY Event will provide residents an opportunity to learn more about City services and get connected to support

BOSTON – Monday, March 9, 2026 – Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston 311 today announced 311 Day, a nationally recognized day that Boston has designated to thank constituents who help keep Boston moving. The event will also help residents better understand the City’s non-emergency service 24/7 hotline and the role it plays in connecting constituents to City services. Boston 311 Day will be held on Wednesday, March 11, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library. “When Boston residents need help or have a question, 311 is often their first call,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This vital service connects our communities directly to City Hall and keeps our neighborhoods running smoothly. 311 Day is an opportunity to recognize the team that makes that connection possible while also inviting residents to learn more about how they can use this resource to stay informed and engaged.” Boston 311 is a free service that connects residents with the City of Boston for non-emergency assistance and information. Residents can report issues like broken streetlights, find their trash collection schedule, or get connected to the appropriate City department, among other services. In 2025, Boston 311 handled more than 290,000 calls and managed over 470,000 individual cases. The top concerns reported by constituents were parking enforcement (over 60,000 cases), street cleaning (20,245 cases), and trash storage (20,086 cases). Residents also submitted more than 145,000 information requests, with trash pick-up inquiries leading the list (12,784 requests), followed by nearly 5,000 requests to schedule mattress pick-ups.  During 311 Day, residents can meet City staff, watch a live demonstration of a 311 call to see how requests are triaged, submit 311 requests in real time, learn how City services respond through the Bos:311 app, and enjoy free refreshments and giveaways. The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services neighborhood liaisons will be present to connect directly with constituents.  "311 is the front door to city services. Boston 311 Day is about opening that door wide to ensure every neighbor feels heard and supported,” said Irgi Budo, Director of Boston 311. “Our team is not just here to process requests, but here to build relationships and solve problems in real time. I encourage everyone to stop by to grab a 311 branded tote bag, refreshments, meet our team, and see how we can work together to keep Boston thriving." “311 Day is about making City Hall more accessible and responsive to every resident. When people understand how to connect with us and see how their requests are handled, it builds trust and strengthens our communities,” said Brianna Millor, Chief of the Community Engagement Cabinet. “We’re excited for the 311 team to showcase the work behind the scenes to ensure residents know their voices are heard and valued.” Events like 311 Day reflect the City’s broader effort to bring City Hall out of City Hall and make it easier for residents and families to connect with City services and resources. Building on the Mayor’s Office Hours, this event will create a welcoming space where residents can meet City staff, ask questions, and get help navigating services in real time. Meeting residents where they are creates more opportunities for direct engagement with City staff and the services that support everyday needs. For more information and updates, visit boston.gov/311day, contact Boston 311 at 617-635-4500, or call 311.