Stories

Boston attorneys travel to U.S.-Mexico border on fact-finding mission for federal lawsuit

October 21, 2022

The group of Venezuelans who were unexpectedly flown to Martha’s Vineyard in mid-September started their journey in the U.S. at the country’s southern border. The nonprofit Lawyers for Civil Rights is representing them in a class-action lawsuit. Executive director Iván Espinoza-Madrigal and his team traveled down to Texas on Oct. 10 and spent a week between San Antonio, El…

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Attorneys lay out legal options for Martha’s Vineyard migrants, including a visa for crime victims

September 26, 2022

For the past two weeks, attorneys have huddled in the cafeteria of Joint Base Cape Cod, trying to figure out the legal options for the 50 or so migrants flown from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard by order of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. They’re arguing that the people — who are mostly from Venezuela — might…

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Trolling Martha’s Vineyard: Island residents on the receiving end of abuse over helping migrants

September 20, 2022

Online, by phone, and even by aerial banner, the Vineyard has become a target for threats and angry comments about immigration. People on Martha’s Vineyard are being trolled and harassed following the flight of migrants to the island last week at the behest of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. State Representative Dylan Fernandes, who represents the…

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Migrant group sheltering on Martha’s Vineyard moves to Joint Base Cape Cod

September 16, 2022

The group of about 50 migrants who have been in temporary shelter on Martha’s Vineyard has moved to Joint Base Cape Cod. The move is voluntary. The group traveled by bus and ferry, surrounded by media. Around 10 o’clock this morning, teary migrants hugged volunteers, took selfies, and gave thanks to those who supported them…

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Advocates question whether Florida gov. broke laws by shipping migrants to Vineyard

September 16, 2022

Immigration rights advocates and lawmakers are questioning whether Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis violated any laws when he unexpectedly flew nearly 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard this week, catching many local officials by surprise. Advocacy groups say there are several potential legal issues with the transfer. First, some advocates say the South American immigrants were deceived…

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Scenes from Martha’s Vineyard, where lawyers, volunteers aid migrants sent by Florida governor

September 16, 2022

Outside St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown on Thursday, several young Venezuelans kicked around soccer balls, smoked cigarettes and interacted with hundreds of Martha’s Vineyard islanders who came out to donate money and supplies, and show their solidarity. Nearly 50 Venezuelans were flown to the island from Texas under what they said was a false pretense. Florida…

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Migrants’ plane lands on Martha’s Vineyard: island mobilizes, with many unanswered questions

September 14, 2022

About 50 migrants, most from Venezuela, including children, arrived by chartered plane on Martha’s Vineyard Wednesday afternoon. Surprised island officials scrambled to care for them. The migrants’ arrival on the island is apparently part of a larger tactic by Republican-led states to transport immigrants to so-called liberal states as a protest over the Biden administration’s…

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Helping her family get housing, food & healthcare is a part-time job for New Hampshire woman

August 22, 2022

For Josephin Yen of Concord, N.H., gardening is a way to clear her head and get out of the house. “I will go out there,” she said, and “I feel better.” But gardening isn’t an easy hobby for her these days. After resettling in New Hampshire with her family from Sudan, she worked long hours…

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New federal proposal could help thousands of Afghan refugees obtain green cards

August 18, 2022

A couple of hundred Afghan evacuees now call Connecticut home after many were forced to flee last year during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. In just a couple of months, many secured jobs, housing and education. But one piece of the puzzle remains unclear for many: a permanent immigration status. That could soon change. The Afghan…

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Cómo un torneo anual de fútbol reúne a la comunidad de granjeros en Vermont

August 17, 2022

Es un sábado soleado de verano en la Tree Farm en Essex Junction. Un cartel que dice “¡Torneo de Fútbol!” recibe a varios conductores que llegan al parque. Los arcos de fútbol se ubican en los extremos de cinco canchas de fútbol de color verde brillante. La gente se empieza a reunir mientras se escucha…

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