welcome!
Transcending Borders
Immigrant EXxperiences and Dreams
If you are an immigrant or a refugee, Please tell the story of the journey that brought you here.
You may also tell the immigration story of your family and loved ones.
If you are not an immigrant, please submit welcoming words to immigrant and refugee populations.
You may also kindly donate to one of the organizations listed below.
1. Scan the QR code
3. Take a ribbon
Photos by Deborah Karson
One in siXx Massachusetts residents is an immigrant, while one in seven residents is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent.
Top 10 Immigrant Groups in Greater Boston
1. China
5. Brazil
6. El Salvador
9. Guatemala
10. Cape Verde
resource list
The organizations below support immigration rights through Legal Council, Educational Information, Career Counseling, and Community Building. This list is a work in progress, please reach out here if there’s an organization you would like to see featured or if you have concerns about one of the organizations listed.
Boston based
RIAC
The Refugee & Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC), formerly known as the Somali Women And Children’s Association, was founded in 1993. We are a community-based, non-profit, grassroots human service agency that provides comprehensive services to refugees, asylees, and immigrants as well as the larger community. Our services include refugee resettlement, counseling, outreach and education, and other social services.
CCAB
We welcome and serve, with compassion and respect, all those in need by providing life’s necessities, education, and advocacy to move families toward self-sufficiency.
MOIA
The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) works to strengthen the ability of immigrants to fully and equitably participate in economic, civic, social, and cultural life in Boston. MOIA also promotes the recognition and public understanding of the contributions of immigrants to the City.
MA based
RIAN
Rian empowers immigrants, refugees, and international exchange visitors on the path to opportunity, safety, and a better future. We are working towards a society where all are welcomed and valued and enjoy equitable opportunities & protections by providing…
Immigration Legal Services
Resource and Support Services
Education & Career Services
International Exchange Visitor Visa Program
Community building opportunities
Advocating for just and humane immigration policies
Immigrant Learning Center
The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) of Malden, MA, is a not-for-profit organization that gives immigrants a voice in three ways:
The English Language Program provides free, year-round ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes to help immigrant and refugee adults in Greater Boston become successful workers, parents, and community members.
The Public Education Institute informs Americans about immigrants and immigration in the United States.
The Institute for Immigration Research, a joint venture with George Mason University, conducts research on the economic contributions of immigrants.
MIRA coalition
MIRA is the largest coalition in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. With offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we advance this mission through education and training, leadership development, institutional organizing, strategic communications, policy analysis, and advocacy.
National & International
HIAS - Be the Change Partner
Support Community Mental Health
ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
ILRC
The ILRC trains attorneys, paralegals, and community-based advocates who work with immigrants around the country. We inform the media, elected officials, and public to shape effective and just immigration policy and law. Our staff works with grassroots immigrant organizations to promote civic engagement and social change.
American Immigrant Council
The American Immigration Council works to strengthen America by shaping how America thinks about and acts towards immigrants and immigration and by working toward a more fair and just immigration system that opens its doors to those in need of protection and unleashes the energy and skills that immigrants bring.
We educate the public on how the immigration system works and the positive role immigration can play in society.
We provide attorneys with tools to practice immigration law.
We go to court to challenge unfair immigration policies.
We shed light on government practices to ensure accountability.
Immigration Advocates Network
The Advocate Resource Center connects the advocate community to training and materials from national experts. Browse our materials, sign up for alerts, and join fellow immigrant allies and advocates.
migration policy institute
Provides accessible and timely data, information, and analysis on immigration and integration issues that cover the major issues on which policymakers and the general public need information
Pursues research that fills major gaps of understanding around migration flows and immigration and integration policy
Assesses the effectiveness of current immigration and integration policies, as well as the impact of immigration on labor markets, educational outcomes, and social cohesion
Promotes a trusted space for dialogue and a series of learning opportunities around ways to address immigration and integration issues
Provides technical assistance to policymakers, practitioners, and nongovernmental organizations that are trying to solve specific immigration and integration challenges
Develops innovative policy ideas to address immigration and integration challenges more effectively.
Jalsa
JALSA puts our Jewish values into action by engaging the Jewish community and other allies in the pursuit of social, economic, environmental, and racial justice.
ADL
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism, and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.
For educators: Find lessons plans on immigration rights topics here
define American
Define American uses storytelling to tell more authentic and nuanced immigrant narratives.