麻州長Maura Healey簽署「保護法案」 禁止ICE踏進法院、醫院、學校無令逮人

麻州州長Maura Healey。（周菊子攝）

    （Boston Orange周菊子綜合報導）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）8月5日簽署「PROTECT法案（保護法案）」，全面禁止聯邦移民及海關執法局（ICE）擅自進入學校、醫院及法院等敏感場所無令逮移民，還允許民眾對違憲官員提出民事訴訟，為移民提供了全美最強防禦機制。

麻州州長Maura Healey簽署「保護法案」。（周菊子攝）

    奚莉州長今日在雀喜市（Chelsea）簽署的「PROTECT法案（全名：一項促進法治、監督、信任及憲法平等對待的法案，An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment）」，由麻州眾議會的「黑人及拉丁裔核心黨團」於今年1月率先提出，後經麻州參議會政策委員會主席Cindy Friedman協調參眾兩會修訂條文，歷經6個月的審議後，高票通過。

麻州州長Maura Healey：移民以後有更多保障了。（周菊子攝）

    今年1月29日時，奚莉州長已簽署過保護移民的行政命令。今日是簽署州法，意味著將來即使州長換人，法案條文，對地方警察、郡治安官（Sheriffs）、法院系統及雇主，都一樣有明確的法定約束力和司法強制力。

黑人及拉丁裔核心黨團」率先提案。（周菊子攝）

    奚莉州長今日簽署的「PROTECT法案」，規範廣泛，尤其是賦予民眾向在麻州內侵犯民眾憲法權利的聯邦移民官（包括ICE探員），或政府官員，提起民事訴訟，以及賦予麻州檢察長（AG）介入這類民事紛爭的權利。

    麻州新出爐的「保護法」，還提高了許多執法門檻，包括：

    全面禁止 ICE 在法院、學校、托嬰中心及醫療機構等場所進行無令逮捕，除非出示「法官簽發的逮捕令（Judicial Warrant）」，否則就違法。

    當 ICE 對企業進行 I-9 僱用文件審查時，雇主必須在 48 小時內書面通知受影響員工，賦予勞工尋求法律援助的法定權利，包括允許家長在面對拘留或遞解處境時，預先指定子女監護權，

    以法律形式全面禁止州與地方機關簽署新的 287(g) 協議，也就是禁止授權地方警察成為臨時移民官，以確保公共場所安全。

La Colaborativa 現場人超多。（周菊子攝）

    奚莉州長指出，「保護法」能消除移民前往醫院求醫或送孩子上學的恐懼，進而鞏固整體社區安全。麻州檢察長、多名地方檢察官、教育與醫療工會以及民權團體都已表態支持。

La Colaborativa 現場人超多。（周菊子攝）

    雖然加州有「加州價值法案」，伊利諾州和紐約州也有庇護政策，但麻州的「PROTECT法案」內有多項全美首創，最嚴格的防禦條款，許多人把這看作對抗聯邦政府過度執法的重大里程碑。

    （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）辦公室發表聲明，稱奚莉州長正準備簽署全國最強的防範ICE濫用權法案時，獲悉ICE正在波士頓市中心尋求250個停車位，立即回應表示，人們絕不允許ICE在執行任務手段非法時，還在波士頓市中心擁有250個停車位。

La Colaborativa 現場還有樂團演奏。（周菊子攝）

    奚莉州長說，「我們每天都看到ICE在社區內的行動，讓人們害怕去學校、看醫生、去法庭，甚至去教堂。移民及海關執法局（ICE）正在開槍殺人，拆散家庭，讓所有人都變得更不安全。這就是為什麼我即要簽署全國最強的防範他們虐待的保護措施」。 「我們絕對不能在ICE使用非法手段的同時，還允許ICE在波士頓市中心擁有250個停車位。我們不能讓他們在麻州繼續擴大行動」。

Ahead of PROTECT Act Signing, Governor Healey Tells ICE to Keep Their Vehicles Out of Boston

CHELSEA – As she prepares to sign into law the strongest protections in the nation against abuses by ICE, Governor Maura Healey is responding to reports that ICE is seeking 250 parking spots in downtown Boston:

“We see what ICE is doing to our communities every day. People are afraid to go to school, doctors' appointments, court or even church. ICE is shooting people dead, separating families, and making us all less safe. That’s why I’m about to sign the strongest protections in the country against their abuses.

“We absolutely cannot allow ICE to have 250 parking spots in downtown Boston while they are engaging in these illegal tactics. We cannot enable them to ramp up even further in Massachusetts.”

Governor Healey Signs PROTECT Act to Keep ICE out of Courthouses, Schools and Hospitals

Landmark legislation establishes strongest protections against ICE’s unlawful practices in the nation

CHELSEA – Governor Maura Healey today stood with immigrants, advocates, community leaders, law enforcement, teachers, nurses, doctors, clergy and elected officials at La Colaborativa in Chelsea to sign the PROTECT Act, landmark legislation that provides the strongest protections in the nation against the dangerous and illegal tactics of President Donald Trump and ICE. The bill keeps ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care centers, hospitals and health care facilities, while also providing stronger protections for parents in case they are detained or deported, banning new 287(g) agreements and allowing civil rights claims to be made against government officials, including ICE agents.

“Today, Massachusetts is standing up for what’s right and taking action to keep our people and our communities safe,” said Governor Healey. “The PROTECT Act is the strongest law in the country to protect people from ICE, because no one should be afraid to send their child to school, seek medical care or fear reporting a crime or appearing in court. It makes us all less safe. So we are getting ICE out of our courthouses, schools and hospitals. This bill is a testament to the hard work and advocacy of so many people across our state. We’re going to keep working together to make Massachusetts and this country the place we all want it to be.”

“This bill is about standing up for our immigrant communities, standing up for public safety, education and health care, and standing up for people’s rights and freedoms,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We're grateful to our legislative partners and the many advocates who worked alongside us to strengthen public safety, protect families and reinforce trust between our communities and law enforcement.”

The PROTECT Act includes several key provisions proposed by Governor Healey earlier this year, including prohibiting warrantless immigrant arrests at courthouses, schools, child care centers, and health care facilities, including hospitals, community health centers and nursing homes. It allows parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in case they are detained or deported. It also codifies the Governor’s Executive Order by limiting civil immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state buildings, requiring multilingual guidance on immigration enforcement procedures and individual rights, and prohibiting any new 287(g) agreements with state agencies.

“Strong public safety requires strong partnerships with the communities we serve,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “The PROTECT Act helps preserve the trust that law enforcement, prosecutors and community organizations rely on to protect victims, investigate crimes and keep neighborhoods safe. When people feel safe, our Commonwealth is stronger.”

“As a superintendent and teacher, I've seen how deeply a child's sense of safety and belonging shapes their ability to learn,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “The PROTECT Act helps ensure that early education programs and K-12

schools remain welcoming places where every child can feel safe, build confidence, and thrive. That sense of belonging is essential to educational opportunity and to the strength of our communities.”

“In my work as a clinician, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to maintain a safe, healing environment in our hospitals,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “Keeping ICE out of hospitals, as well as our courthouses and schools means we also keep fear out of these places. I am grateful to Governor Healey for her continued leadership protecting our immigrant communities from the cruel acts of the Trump Administration.”

The bill also defines state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement while expanding legal protections and due process for immigrants. It creates a new state law civil rights claim for government officials, including ICE agents, who violate someone’s federal constitutional rights. It also establishes new oversight, reporting, and notification requirements for correctional facilities, employers, and state agencies and strengthens protections for crime victims seeking immigration relief.

“With the Governor's signature today, Massachusetts residents will have the strongest protections from President Trump's weaponization of federal immigration authorities in the nation,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The abuses and infringements on constitutional rights we have seen in this country are reprehensible and un-American. This law is the culmination of our efforts to do everything in our state's power to protect hardworking residents who have done nothing wrong and who contribute to the vibrancy of this state. I applaud Senator Friedman and Senator Payano for their work to reach this strong agreement, and I applaud the Governor's signature on this bill.”

“Since the beginning of President Trump’s second term, ICE and Border Patrol agents have continued to harass and disappear innocent Americans with total impunity—a reckless approach that has led to the deaths of American citizens and legal residents, and to children being separated from their families. Those actions have immigrants in Massachusetts living in fear as they go to work or bring their children to school, and they jeopardize the trust that local law enforcement has worked hard to build,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “That’s why this legislation is so important, as it takes steps to ensure that all residents in Massachusetts are treated equally under state law, and to protect our communities through practical, thoughtful measures. I want to thank Governor Healey for signing these protections into law, as well as Chairman Cahill, Chairman Vargas, and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for working tirelessly to incorporate feedback from immigrant communities and law enforcement alike. Finally, I’m grateful to all my colleagues in the House, and to our partners in the Senate, for voting in favor of these critical reforms.”

“The PROTECT Act strengthens protections for our residents in the face of the aggressive tactics employed by ICE – tactics that do not enhance public safety and instead spread fear among families and our communities,” said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “I am grateful to Governor Healey and the Legislature for enacting these critical protections into law. Immigrants are an essential part of our communities, workplaces, and economy, and we will continue to use every tool available to defend their rights.” 

This legislation is a crucial piece of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s overall strategy to protect Massachusetts communities and stand up to the harm caused by President Trump and ICE. When Governor Healey first filed her legislation, she also signed an Executive Order prohibiting the state from entering into any new 287(g) agreements unless there is a public safety need, prohibiting ICE from making civil arrests in non-public areas of state facilities, and prohibiting the use of state property for immigration enforcement staging. She also issued statewide guidance for schools, child care providers, higher education campuses, health care facilities and places of worship regarding interactions with ICE agents.

Governor Healey also launched an online portal with Attorney General Campbell that allows Massachusetts residents to report alleged misconduct by ICE, opposed ICE flights at Hanscom Airport, called for an extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and other immigrants, and opposed new ICE Detention Centers in New England. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has also connected thousands of immigrants with legal services and provided robust multilingual resources for communities and employers.

麻州公共衛生廳推出「社區健康公平調查」 呼籲12歲以上州民填表

 （Boston Orange編譯）麻州公共衛生廳7月31日推出2026年「社區健康公平調查」，以匿名問卷方式搜集12歲以上居民生活經驗與健康需求，將用為未來制定政策與分配資源的重要依據。

這是「社區健康公平倡議」第三次舉辦調查，在2020年和2023年所做前兩次調查累積的資料，已廣泛運用於經費配置與方案設計，全州超過150個組織曾引用這些數據爭取補助或調整服務內容。

今年的問卷同樣不記名，也不會細問移民身分等個人資訊。題目涵蓋就醫、居住、交通、教育、工作等層面，並新增移民經歷及近期移民政策對心理健康的影響。調查將一路進行到11月，預計2027年公布完整結果。

公共衛生專員高德斯坦（Robbie Goldstein）表示，在民眾對公部門信心低迷之際，這項調查提供了一個具體的溝通管道，讓向來被忽略的社區有機會發聲。他說：「公共衛生要能發揮作用，前提是大家願意信任它。」而信任的基礎，來自於決策者真正理解民眾的處境與需求。

這份問卷特別鎖定經常被傳統數據系統排除的群體，包括長者、特殊需求兒童的家長、青少年、LGBTQ+族群、有色人種、身心障礙者、新移民、孕婦、鄉村居民及退伍軍人等。問卷提供11種語言版本，包含中文簡繁體、西班牙語、越南語、俄語、美式手語等，填寫時間約15到30分鐘。

麻州衛生廳呼籲所有居民踴躍上網（mass.gov/HealthSurvey）作答，讓政策更貼近真實需求，朝健康公平再邁進一步。

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Launches Statewide Community Health Equity Survey

 

Third survey will inform and prioritize future public health action using timely data

 

BOSTON (August 4, 2026) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is inviting residents across the state to help shape future public health decisions by participating in the 2026 Community Health Equity Survey. The anonymous survey will help inform policies, programs, and services by gathering information about residents’ experiences, needs, and priorities.

 

Building on findings from the 2020 and 2023 survey cycles, the 2026 Community Health Equity Survey (CHES) will continue to assess and address social and structural factors that affect health among Massachusetts residents aged 12 years and older, with a focus on communities disproportionately impacted by structural racism and other drivers of health inequity.

 

The survey is part of DPH’s Community Health Equity Initiative (CHEI), which uses community engagement and data to better understand the health of Massachusetts residents and the barriers that affect it.

 

“The Community Health Equity Initiative offers residents across Massachusetts a real voice in shaping the public health priorities that affect their lives,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “At a moment when trust in public institutions is fragile and too many communities feel overlooked or under threat, CHEI represents an important way to listen and to hear. Public health works only when people believe in it. By pairing the lived experiences of residents with rigorous data, CHEI helps us build strategies that are more responsive, more equitable, and more worthy of trust.”

 

The survey launched July 31 and will remain open through November 2026. Co-designed with residents and community partners across Massachusetts, the survey builds on findings from the previous cycles while examining residents’ priorities, experiences, and needs in today’s environment.

 

Both the 2020 and 2023 surveys generated invaluable data that continue to inform where investments are allocated, programs are developed, and services are provided. Findings are available on the mass.gov/chei webpage in various formats, including dashboards, data tables, and reports. So far, more than 150 organizations across the state have accessed CHEI data to advance their work, including to secure grant funding, inform programming, and advocate for policies that improve the well-being of their communities.

 

New topics in the 2026 survey include residents’ immigration experiences and the mental health impacts of recent immigration policies and practices, alongside questions about access to healthcare, housing, transportation, education, employment, and other factors that influence health.

 

The Community Health Equity Survey is voluntary, anonymous, does not ask for identifying information, such as immigration status, and cannot be connected back to residents in any way.

 

DPH wants to hear from a broad range of Massachusetts residents, including people and communities often disproportionately impacted by health inequities and that are often underrepresented in traditional health data systems. These communities include older adults (aged 60+), parents and caregivers of children and youth with special healthcare needs, youth and young adults (aged 12 to 24), people identifying as LGBTQ+, people of color, people with disabilities, people whose primary language is not English, people with immigration experience, pregnant people and parents of young children, rural residents, and veterans.

 

Massachusetts residents aged 12 and older can take the survey. It takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete and is available in the following languages: Arabic, American Sign Language (ASL), Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), English, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

 

CHES 2026 results and resources will be made available online to the public starting in 2027.

 

To participate in the Community Health Equity Survey, visit mass.gov/HealthSurvey

麻州長稱14名跨領域專業人士支持Kaitlyn O'Leary 出任麻州假釋委員

 (Boston Orange編譯)麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）提名前檢察官凱特琳·歐萊瑞（Kaitlyn O'Leary）出任州假釋委員，趕在州長委員會5日審查前，發佈消息，稱至少14名法官、檢察官、辯護律師及受害者倡議者跨領域背書，肯定其專業與公正。

麻州假釋委員會（Massachusetts Parole Board）因托諾米·科爾曼（Tonomey Coleman）獲指派出任地院法官，有席位出缺。奚莉州長7月時提名Kaitlyn O'Leary遞補席位，並強調假釋委員會須納入具刑事實務且曾與受害者密切合作之專業人士，Kaitlyn O'Leary正是符合條件的人選。

Kaitlyn O'Leary現任麻州假釋委員會副法務長及州際契約管理員，曾任布里斯托（Bristol）與普利茅斯（Plymouth）兩郡助理地區檢察官，及州檢察長辦公室助理檢察長，主理重大刑案起訴與複雜調查。

假釋委員會主席安傑羅·戈麥斯（Angelo Gomez）、艾塞克斯郡（Essex County）地區檢察官保羅·塔克（Paul F. Tucker）、麻州地區檢察官協會（Massachusetts District Attorneys Association）、受害者援助辦公室（Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance）執行主任利亞姆·洛尼（Liam Lowney），及多位退休法官、辯護律師均公開發聲支持。讚揚她能兼顧公共安全與人道關懷，具備公正判斷力與傾聽多元聲音的能力。

支持者指出，Kaitlyn O'Leary參與創設布洛克頓市（Brockton）毒品法庭的經驗，展現跨單位協作能力；她在假釋委員會的法務歷練亦使其熟稔決策實務。多名曾對庭的辯護律師形容她「公平專業」，能兼顧被告更生與社會公益，其操守與判斷力深受各界肯定。

今年5月，州長委員會才剛以4比3票，否決了奚莉州長提名，具檢察官背景的Vincent DeMore。支持受刑人重返社會的倡議者與社工等反對人士認為，目前的假釋委員會委員，大多有執法背景，應該優先考慮心理學、社工專家，或有更生經驗的人，以聚焦受刑人重返社會（reentry）的需求。奚莉州長現在又提名一位具執法背景的人選，是「未傾聽社區聲音」，會破壞假釋委員會所需的專業平衡。

紐英崙客家鄉親會首屆「星空電影夜」 近百人聽客家話回顧台灣歷史

「星空電影夜」主辦單位代表，左起，黃文彥、康雅雄、楊慧雅，
林致中，蔡景全。（周菊子攝）

  (Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導) 紐英崙客家鄉親會 (NE Hakka）和波士頓台灣同鄉會 (TAA-Boston）、波士頓台灣影展協會 (TFFB）合作，8月1日在波士頓僑教中心會址外草坪舉辦「星空電影夜」，放映入圍第62屆金馬獎影片「那張照片裡的我們」，吸引逾百人自備座椅到場欣賞。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏（中）、僑教中心主任康雅雄（右），
波士頓僑務委員郭競儒（左）。（周菊子攝）

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，僑教中心主任康雅雄，僑務委員郭競儒都專程出席，嘉許這些社團組織，豐富了在地台灣人的生活。

參與籌辦電影夜的部分志工們。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙客家鄉親會會長黃文彥表示，「那張照片裡的我們」是一部以台灣戒嚴時期，1977年地方選舉上的「中壢事件」，以及校園民歌風行為歷史背景，大量片段用客家話發音，描繪愛情、親情、自我認同與成長的一部很有意義電影。去年他在波士頓台灣影展協會當志工，看到這部片，但TFFB去年未能選映此片，讓他感到十分遺憾，這才在他今年接任紐英崙客家鄉親會會長，去年還是波士頓台灣同鄉會理事的因緣，邀3個組織合作，安排放映此片。

電影監製兼瀚草文創董事長湯昇榮還特地為該「那張照片裡的我們」在波士頓放映，錄製了視頻片段，由客家會貼上臉書上。

僑胞們自備座椅來看露天電影。（周菊子攝）

廖朝宏處長為活動開場致詞時，稱許主辦單位熱心，讓住在波士頓的人有機會更了解台灣的文化、歷史。希望也能觸動更多人親自造訪台灣，體驗台灣的美食，美景與人情味。

波士頓台灣同鄉會會長楊慧雅，波士頓台灣影展協會會長林致中，新英格蘭中文學校協會會長馮文鸞也應邀在開場前致詞。

僑胞們在草坪上看電影。（周菊子攝）

        楊慧雅貼心指出，由於這是一場露天電影放映活動，可慮到夏季戶外草坪，可能有蚊蟲干擾，特地準備了防蚊貼，共出席觀眾免費領取。在現場攤位上，他們還擺出他自製，印有Taiwan字樣的腰包，人們看電影時常會享用的爆米花。在發言時，她還預告9月26日該會將舉辦年度「中秋迎新烤肉活動」。

僑胞們在草坪上看電影。（周菊子攝）

        林致中則說明TFFB訂9月10日至21日在尚莫維爾戲院（Somerville Theater）、波士頓美術館（MFA Boston）、庫里吉角戲院（Coolidge Corner Theater），以及布瑞托戲院（ Brattle Theater）等4地舉辦第八屆「波士頓台灣影展」，查詢詳情可以上該會官網。

        馮文鸞說明，僑委會的「雙十文化訪問團」，今年有十鼓擊樂團巡迴演出，9 月 5 日先到羅德島，9 月 7 日（週一）下午 3:00 到波士頓華埠的昆士中學禮堂演出，懇請各大僑團支持。

        黃文彥透露，希望「星空電影夜」將來可以每年繼續下去，他甚至已經想好，下一步片要放映知名客家電影「魯冰花」。

美國國際學生簽證規定修訂版訂 9/15 生效 Ｆ-1有效期限縮至4年

     （Boston Orange編譯）川普政府修訂的國際學生簽證政策，預定9月15日起生效。美國行之有年的「身份有效期 (D/S)」制度，將正式廢除，不僅F-1學生簽證有效期限將縮限為固定四年，學生畢業後的停留寬限期也將縮短，麻省理工學院（MIT）等名校的博士生招收與人才留用將大受打擊。

    根據早於2026年7月17日公佈的「聯邦公報（Federal Register）」，新規定將終結美國近50年來「簽證效期等同全學程」的彈性做法，從2026年9月15日起，新生與現有簽證持有者的居留期限將改為最長四年。博士生若需更長時間來完成論文，必須向美國公民及移民服務局(USCIS)申請延期。未來更換主修或轉學的難度也將大幅增加。

    新規定還把畢業後的合法停留寬限期，從60天縮短為30天，迫使國際學生必須更早規劃離境或轉換身分。

    這項政策對頂尖研究型大學影響最大。以MIT為例，該校2025至2026學年的國際生佔研究生總數達40%，而物理博士班平均需時5.5年，遠超四年門檻。物理系教授約瑟夫‧福爾馬焦（Joseph Formaggio）在2026年7月下旬受訪時直言，此舉「是對美國研究自斷手腳」。副系主任史考特‧休斯（Scott Hughes）甚至已開始鼓勵海外申請者考慮歐洲學校。

    在川普政府宣佈簽證新制前，MIT校長莎莉‧孔布魯斯（Sally Kornbluth）已於2026年5月警告，研究生入學率（不含商學院與電資領域）已下滑20%。國際教育組織NAFSA估算，國際學生減少已讓麻州經濟損失約9,210萬美元（約新台幣30億元）。

    面對9月15日的大限，各校正緊急舉辦說明會協助學生應對。

    不過，移民律師稱該規定仍有變數，指出國會可在2026年9月中旬前透過《國會審查法》否決該規定，民間團體也可提起訴訟暫緩實施此法。

吳弭市長、市議員Louijeune和104名市鎮長發聯名信 呼籲參議院延長海地移民TPS身份至2029年

        （Boston Orange編譯）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）和市議員Ruthzee Louijeune聯合全美104位地方市鎮首長，8月4日正式向聯邦參議院遞交聯名信，強烈呼籲兩黨儘速通過延長海地移民「臨時保護身份（TPS）」的S. 4814法案，以免35萬多名海地移民因身份失效而面對大規模遣返危機，將對家庭與勞動力造成巨大衝擊。

        美國最高法院最近就「Mullin v. Doe」案做出裁決，造成美國史上最大規模之一的「合法取消身份」事件。波士頓市長吳弭與市議員Ruthzee Louijeune發起的跨州連署，獲得包括芝加哥、洛杉磯、紐約、丹佛、西雅圖在內等104位市長及地方官員響應，以聯名信呼籲美國參議院立即跟隨眾議院，通過麻州聯邦參議員Ed Markey提出的S. 4814法案法案，把海地TPS效期延長至2029年初。

        吳弭市長在聲明中強調：「國會有能力阻止這場浩劫。數千名海地移民長期在波士頓合法居住與工作，他們是城市不可或缺的一部分」。波士頓市議員Ruthzee Louijeune則嚴正指出，若國會不作為，川普政府將啟動大規模驅逐，不僅撕裂家庭、削弱勞動力，更將讓無辜者面臨返回海地後的暴力風險。

        根據聯邦政府評估，海地當前情勢極度危險。國務院維持「請勿前往」的最高旅遊警示，美國聯邦航空總署（FAA）更引述當地幫派暴力猖獗與綁架頻傳狀況僅2025年1月至11月，海地便記錄超過8,100起殺人事件，禁止國內航空班機飛往太子港，

        經濟數據顯示，全美約35萬名海地TPS持有者對美國經濟的每年貢獻高達達44億至59億美元，在醫療照護等關鍵產業扮演要角。若保護令失效，地方醫療體系、教育資源與社會服務將不堪負荷，並造成巨大財政與人道負擔。波士頓在地倡議組織「移民家庭服務機構（IFSI）」執行長蓋博（Geralde Gabeau）博士呼籲參議員通過法案，強調延長TPS不僅關乎35萬人的命運，更對社區穩定與國家經濟韌性有極大影響。目前該法案在參議院獲29位跨黨派議員連署支持，尚待院會表決。

MAYOR WU, COUNCILOR LOUIJEUNE LEAD OVER 100 MAYORS, CITIES, LOCAL LEADERS URGING CONGRESS TO EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTION STATUS FOR HAITI Led by Mayor Michelle Wu and Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, 104 signatories, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle and eight cities in Ohio, alongside dozens of mayors, cities, and local officials, join Boston in calling for passage of S. 4814 and urging the U.S. Senate to act immediately to protect our families, our local businesses, our health care institutions, and our communities from the great harms caused by the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) for Haiti.

BOSTON - Tuesday, August 4, 2026 - Today Mayor Michelle Wu and City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate urging them to immediately pass S. 4814, a bill sponsored by Senator Ed Markey, co-sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Warren and 29 additional U.S. Senators, that would extend TPS for Haiti through early 2029. The Republican-controlled House passed an analogous bill, H.R. 1689, in April. The letter warns that Congressional action is now necessary to restore legal status and work authorization to more than 350,000 Haitian TPS holders, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Mullin v. Doe and one of the largest de-legalization events in U.S. history. “Congress has the power to protect our communities and prevent this devastation for our families and economy by extending TPS,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Thousands of Haitians have lived and worked lawfully in Boston and are part of the fabric of our city. Together with Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune and mayors from across the country, we are calling on Congress to act now.” “Unless Congress acts now, the Trump Administration will soon begin to enforce one of the largest de-legalization events in U.S. history, hurting our economy and putting families at risk of deportation and physical violence,” said Boston City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune. “Local leaders across America know that this unjustified attack on the Haitian community will destabilize our workforce, raise the cost of living, and subject parents and children to the lawless violence of an out-of-control federal government.”    The letter notes that the federal government’s own assessment is that Haiti’s conditions are unsafe, justifying the extension of TPS. The State Department currently maintains a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Haiti, and the FAA has barred U.S. air carriers from flying into Port-au-Prince, citing rampant violence and widespread kidnapping risk. More than 8,100 killings were documented in Haiti between January and November of 2025 alone.  Communities like Boston will be harmed if TPS’s expiration is allowed to continue, putting 350,000 people at risk of immediate removal from the country. Haitian TPS holders contribute between $4.4 billion and $5.9 billion annually to the U.S economy and fill critical roles in the healthcare sector and other essential industries nationwide. Terminating TPS threatens to divide families, disrupt local economies, strain healthcare and education systems, overwhelm public services, and leave local governments to deal with the fallout.  “I am grateful and encouraged by Mayor Wu’s letter supporting S. 4814. As she noted, ending TPS would separate families, weaken our economy, strain an already overburdened workforce, and cause deep emotional harm across our communities,” said Dr. Geralde Gabeau, Founder and Chief Executive Office of Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI). “The impact extends far beyond 350,000 Haitian TPS holders. Congress must act now. We urge our senators to join Mayor Wu, Councilor Louijeune, and the 102 additional signatories to this letter by supporting TPS and passing S. 4814.”   The full list of mayors, cities, and counties who joined the letter is below.  Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston  Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Councilor At-Large Additional Signatories  The City of Albany, New York The City of Burlington, Vermont The City of Cambridge, Massachusetts The Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina  The City of Chelsea, Massachusetts  The City of Chicago, Illinois The City of Cincinnati, Ohio The City and County of Denver, Colorado The City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts The Village of Hempstead, New York The City of Lima, Ohio The City of New York, New York The City of Omaha, Nebraska The City of Portland, Oregon The County of Santa Clara, California The City of Seattle, Washington The City of Somerville, Massachusetts The City of Spokane, Washington The City of Worcester, Massachusetts Mayors  Jim Ross Mayor, City of Arlington, Texas Michael Cahill Mayor, City of Beverly, Massachusetts Joseph Ganim  Mayor, City of Bridgeport, Connecticut John Cowen  Mayor, City of Brownsville, Texas Sumbul Siddiqui  Mayor, City of Cambridge, Massachusetts  Jess Anderson Mayor and Town Council, Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina Brandon Johnson  Mayor, City of Chicago, Illinois Aftab Pureval  Mayor, City of Cincinnati, Ohio Justin Bibb Mayor, City of Cleveland, Ohio Barbara Buffaloe Mayor, City of Columbia, Missouri Andrew Ginther Mayor, City of Columbus, Ohio Gay Lynn Bennion  Mayor, City of Cottonwood Heights, Utah Derrick Henry Mayor, City of Daytona Beach, Florida Leonardo Williams Mayor, City of Durham, North Carolina Daniel Biss Mayor, City of Evanston, Illinois Theresa Rich Mayor, City of Farmington Hills, Michigan Christina Muryn Mayor, City of Findlay, Ohio Samantha Squailia Mayor, City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts Harvey Ward Mayor, City of Gainesville, Florida Michael J. Nicholson Mayor, City of Gardner, Massachusetts James Solomon  Mayor, Jersey City, New Jersey Mayor Quinton Lucas Mayor, City of Kansas City, Missouri Keith Sydnor Mayor, City of Laurel, Maryland Kyle Schlachter Mayor, City of Littleton, Colorado Jack Bradley Mayor, City of Lorain, Ohio Jared Nicholson  Mayor, City of Lynn, Massachusetts Gary Christenson Mayor, City of Malden, Massachusetts Annette Blackwell Mayor, City of Maple Heights, Ohio Girmay Zahilay County Executive, Martin Luther King Jr. County, Washington Breanna Lungo-Koehn Mayor, City of Medford, Massachusetts Jennifer Grigoraitis Mayor, City of Melrose, Massachusetts D.J. Beauregard Mayor, City of Methuen, Massachusetts Eileen Higgins Mayor, City of Miami, Florida Jacob Frey Mayor, City of Minneapolis, Minnesota Wayne Messam Mayor, City of Miramar, Florida Shawyn Patterson-Howard Mayor, City of Mount Vernon, New York Phillip Jones Mayor, City of Newport News, Virginia Marc Laredo Mayor, City of Newton, Massachusetts Angelo Castillo Mayor, City of Pembroke Pines, Florida Adrian Mapp  Mayor, City of Plainfield, New Jersey Keith Wilson Mayor, City of Portland, Oregon Brett Smiley Mayor, City of Providence, Rhode Island Janet Cowell Mayor, City of Raleigh, North Carolina Joseph Begeny  Mayor, City of Reynoldsburg, Ohio Dominick Pangallo Mayor, City of Salem, Massachusetts Todd Gloria Mayor, City of San Diego, California  Chad Jason Ashmore Mayor, City of Sesser, Illinois Jake Wilson  Mayor, City of Somerville, Massachusetts Domenic J. Sarno  Mayor, City of Springfield, Massachusetts Regina Romero Mayor, City of Tucson, Arizona Anne McEnerny-Ogle Mayor, City of Vancouver, Washington William Reichelt Mayor, Town of West Springfield, Massachusetts Joseph M. Petty Mayor, City of Worcester, Massachusetts Local Government Leaders  Elizabeth Breadon Boston City Council President, District 9, City of Boston, Massachusetts Julia Mejia  City Councilor At-Large, City of Boston, Massachusetts Erin Murphy City Councilor At-Large, City of Boston, Massachusetts Henry Santana City Councilor At-Large, City of Boston, Massachusetts   Gabriela Coletta Zapata City Councilor, District 1, City of Boston, Massachusetts Ed Flynn, U.S. Navy (Retired) City Councilor, District 2, City of Boston, Massachusetts John FitzGerald  City Councilor, District 3, City of Boston, Massachusetts Brian Worrell City Councilor, District 4, City of Boston, Massachusetts Enrique Pepén  City Councilor, District 5, City of Boston, Massachusetts Benjamin Weber  City Councilor, District 6, City of Boston, Massachusetts Miniard Culpepper, Sr., Esq. City Councilor, District 7, City of Boston, Massachusetts Sharon Durkan  City Councilor, District 8, City of Boston, Massachusetts Jeff Charnel  City Councilor, City of Brockton, Massachusetts Charles Carey Town Administrator, Town of Brookline, Massachusetts William Moehle Supervisor, Town of Brighton, New York Marc McGovern  Vice Mayor and City Councilor, City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Megan Bayer City Solicitor, City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Catherine Zusy City Councilor, City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Zach Klein City Attorney, City of Columbus, Ohio Toni Preckwinkle President of the Board of Commissioners, County of Cook, Illinois Burhan Azeem Vice Mayor and City Councilor, City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Patricia Nolan  City Councilor, City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Jonathan Nieuwsma City Councilor, City of Evanston, Illinois Natasha Megie-Maddrey  City Councilor, Ward 4, City of Lynn, Massachusetts Sameer Kanal City Councilor, City of Portland, Oregon Mitch Green City Councilor, City of Portland, Oregon Angelita Morillo City Councilor, City of Portland, Oregon Dan Ryan City Councilor, City of Portland, Oregon Pat McRae Supervisor, Charter Township of Redford, Michigan David Chiu  City Attorney, City and County of San Francisco, California

麻州今年發放5840萬美元給23,300退伍軍人 福利金額及人數雙創新高

    （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（4）日宣佈，州政府將在2026年度撥付5,840萬美元的免稅津貼給超過2.33萬名合格退伍軍人及家屬，總金額與受惠人數雙雙創下該計畫史上新高。

    每名符合資格的100%因公致殘退伍軍人、金星家庭（陣亡軍人親屬）及喪偶配偶，可獲得2,500美元的年度免稅津貼。今年受惠人數比去年成長10%，為歷年最大增幅。

    款項已開始透過直接匯款發放，紙本支票預計本週稍後寄出。現有領取者無須重新申請，新申請或需更新資料者，則須在2027年6月30日前向麻州退伍軍人服務部（EOVS）提出並獲核准。

    麻州得以擴大退伍軍人福利，基於早前通過的「英雄（HERO）法案」，不只把津貼額度提高到2,500美元，還放寬規定，允許喪偶配偶再婚後繼續領取。

    奚莉州長上任後成立麻州首個退伍軍人服務執行辦公室，並簽署麻州史上最大規模的退伍軍人福利法案。州政府也正在雀喜市（Chelsea）和霍利奧克市（Holyoke）興建全新的退伍軍人之家，預計今年秋季啟用，同時持續推動解決退伍軍人無家可歸問題。

    麻州副州長Kim Driscoll、退伍軍人服務部部長戈拉尼克（Eric Goralnick），以及麻州議會退伍軍人聯合委員會主席的眾議員麥岡納格（Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr.）和參議員維利斯（John C. Velis）都肯定、支持這政策。金星妻子協會與麻州退伍軍人服務官協會等團體也公開支持此舉。

 Governor Healey Delivers Record $58.4 Million in Annual Benefits to Massachusetts Veterans and Military Families

More than 23,000 disabled veterans, Gold Star families and surviving spouses to receive the state’s annual $2,500 tax-free payment

BOSTON– Governor Maura Healey today announced that a record number of Massachusetts veterans and military family members will receive the state's annual veteran annuity payment this year following historic investments in veterans' benefits.

More than 23,300 eligible disabled veterans, Gold Star parents and spouses, and surviving spouses will receive the annual $2,500 tax-free benefit, totaling $58.4 million in payments. The number of recipients increased by 10 percent last year, representing the largest ever year-over year increase in the program’s history. 

“From day one, we committed to making Massachusetts the best state in the nation for veterans and military families,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We're proud that a record number of veterans, Gold Star families and surviving spouses will receive this year's annuity payment. This increase builds on the HERO Act and the work our Executive Office of Veterans Services is doing to modernize services and expand programs for veterans and their families.” 

"This record investment reflects our commitment to standing by veterans and military families long after their service ends," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "We're proud to deliver this benefit to more recipients than ever before while continuing to strengthen the programs and services they rely on." 

The annual veteran annuity is a $2,500 tax-free benefit available to eligible 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans, Gold Star parents and spouses, and surviving spouses who live in Massachusetts.

The annuity increase was made possible by Governor Healey's signing of the HERO Act, the largest expansion of veterans' benefits in Massachusetts history. The law increased the annual benefit to $2,500 and further statutory changes expanded eligibility so surviving spouses of deceased servicemembers can continue receiving the benefit after remarriage.

Payments have begun arriving to recipients through direct deposit, with paper checks to be mailed later this week.

“Although we can never fully repay a Veteran or Gold Star family member who has made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, the annual annuity is one way in which the Commonwealth can begin to show our gratitude each year,” said Veterans Services Secretary Eric Goralnick. “I’m proud that more Veterans and Military Families than ever will receive this benefit in 2026 thanks to the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s leadership to ensure Massachusetts offers the best home in the county for former servicemembers and their loved ones.”

Governor Healey has made supporting veterans and military families a top priority. Since taking office, she has created the state's first Executive Office of Veterans Services, signed the HERO Act, the largest expansion of veterans' benefits in Massachusetts history, advanced the opening of two new state-of-the-art veterans' homes in Chelsea and Holyoke this fall, and continued leading efforts to end veteran homelessness.

To learn more about the state annuity payment and how to apply, visit mass.gov/eovs/annuity. New applications or updates for existing annuity benefits must be received and approved by the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) by June 30, 2027. Existing annuitants do not need to reapply.

Together, these investments are expanding access to benefits, improving care and housing, and ensuring veterans and military families receive the support they deserve.

波士頓華商會和安良木蘭寨攜手推廣粵曲文化 華埠公園樂音飄揚

 

華商會及安良曲藝社「木蘭寨」樂師級演員合影。（周菊子攝）

（Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）波士頓華商會為豐富華埠居民生活，帶旺地方商機，今夏在波士頓華埠公園推出13場週日系列表演，8月2日由華商會及安良曲藝社「木蘭寨」擔綱，演出8段粵曲，吸引無數遊人駐足聆聽，欣賞，記錄，留住文化痕跡。

木蘭寨負責人陳海兒（左）、梅雪英（右）和波士頓華商會財政余麗媖（中）。
（周菊子攝）

波士頓華商會會長陳仕維在開場致詞中表示，這是該會每年一度，夏季週日，在陳毓禮公園(Chin Park)安排武術示範，音樂唱奏，卡拉ＯＫ等十分多元的文化活動，希望吸引更多人來到波士頓華埠，享受一個美好夏天。

安良工商會員老暨波士頓華商會會長陳仕維（右起）獻唱，安良幫辦鄧北海夫婦，
以及華商會的 Linda送花道賀。（余麗媖提供）

        2日這天的演出，在樂師伴奏中，依序有梅如珍 、劉雪梅演唱「劍合釵圓」，陳仕維和賴金鳳唱「鳳閣恩仇未了情」，賴金鳳和木蘭寨演唱「花田錯會」，傅慕萍和黃寶蓮唱「樓台泣別」，梅雪英和劉雪梅唱「胡笳十八拍」，溫陳美月和李小倫「夢會楊貴妃」，文潔蓉唱「再進沈園」，黃偉健和木蘭唱「天仙配」。

陳仕維為粵曲文化推廣活動致開幕詞。（陳海兒提供）

藝名「木蘭寨」的木蘭寨 3 名負責人之一陳海兒指出，該社團成立於2022年4月5日。次年的2023年10月16日，還在帝苑大酒樓舉辦過第一屆粵曲文化推廣活動，有展覽及演唱會，非常成功。她自己身為詞人，愛唱粵曲，平日還偏好文墨，事後還特地出版了一本書，紀念這一盛事。

「木蘭寨」負責人黃偉健（又）和陳海兒（左）壓軸演唱。（周菊子攝）

在這本書中，關於木蘭寨粵曲文化工作室的簡介是，該社團最初只是一個在網上學習及分享彼此對粵曲之愛好，知識的平台，成員來自中國，香港，加拿大，紐約，波士頓。期間經加拿大Vivian引介，得到廣州狀元坊戲服繼承人雅蘭女士的支持，分享了許多戲服方面知識，之後又得到甄雲龍、曹品慈鼓勵與協助，找到了一個聚會，練唱的場地，於是成立了實體的「木蘭寨粵曲文化工作室」，還請到早前詞是的梅炳鈿擔任曲藝總顧問，有一班熱心樂師以義工形式，為該社團唱家拍和。

文潔蓉獨唱「再進沈園」。

       陳海兒指出，在粵曲演唱中，樂師的拍和，絕對很重要。他們很幸運，在高胡和揚琴上都技藝精湛，經常受邀前往紐約演出，自己有「和鳴樂社」的頭架師傅陳偉正，不但支持，還為「木蘭寨」組織樂師團隊，鼓勵、指導唱家班研習樂器。

傅慕萍擔任司儀，介紹演員及節目。（周菊子攝）

今年開始，由於陳仕維的支持，「木蘭寨」正式加入波士頓安良工商會這大家庭，在仍保有原名的安排中，成爲波士頓安良麾下的曲藝社，每週二、六的早上10點半至下午2點半，在安良會址練唱，會務由黃偉健，梅雪英，陳海兒等 3 名負責人統籌，網路平台由賴金鳳負責。

陳海兒表示，「木蘭寨」強調分享關於粵曲的文化知識，注重彼此精神契合，一度有成員30多人，目前經常相約練唱的約10人。這次和波士頓華商會合作，還要特地感謝余麗媖的細心招呼，全程支持。

木蘭寨的現場看板，介紹該社團負責人及成立緣起。 （周菊子攝）

余麗媖表示，波士頓華商會今年的夏季系列，從6月14日開始，共13週的每週日在陳毓禮公園安排演出。目前已有洪青兒童醒獅團，廣東音樂社，新節奏樂隊，木蘭寨等團體表演過。接下來的8月9日將是參加紐英崙中華公所的中秋節聯歡會，8月16日及23日早上9點至中午的洪青兒童醒獅隊表演及太極示範，

9月19日傍晚，該會將在華埠牌樓一帶，舉辦「第五屆波士頓台灣夜市」。

樂師們在現場伴奏拍和。（周菊子攝）

廣東音藝社創辦人溫陳美月也來獻唱。（周菊子攝）    

表演現場圍出一圈看板，介紹「木蘭寨」。（周菊子攝）    

經典名劇「六國大封相」中燕、趙、楚、魏、齊、韓、六大元帥武生。（周菊子翻攝）

木蘭寨現在是波士頓安良工商會麾下社團。（周菊子攝）

主辦單位為耆英及長者安排出許多座椅。（周菊子攝）