MIRA distributes thousands of vaccines in Mississippi’s immigrant community


Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, MIRA has worked tirelessly to ensure that Mississippi’s immigrant community has access to important health resources, information, and even financial support. As soon as COVID-19 shots were available, we began holding vaccination events in collaboration with partners like the Mississippi State Department of Health, the Urban Institute, … Continue reading MIRA distributes thousands of vaccines in Mississippi’s immigrant community

New US Citizens!


Congratulations to MIRA clients Sergio Espín Peralta (left) and Patience Diggs (right), new U.S. Citizens! They each took the Oath of Allegiance this summer in New Orleans. Sergio lives in metro Jackson, and is a native of Morelos State, Mexico. Patricia also helped him obtain lawful permanent residence more than twenty years ago. Patience came … Continue reading New US Citizens!

Crippling delays with USCIS harm immigrants in Mississippi and around the country


During the last two years, wait times for processing applications with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have skyrocketed. Staff shortages, limited appointment times (for COVID-19 safety), and complications introduced by the Trump administration have meant that immigrants who desperately need visas, work permits, or green cards, are waiting longer than ever. MIRA’s Legal … Continue reading Crippling delays with USCIS harm immigrants in Mississippi and around the country

2022 Legislative win!


During this year’s legislative session, Mississippi lawmakers passed a bill to repeal an old state law that made it more difficult for naturalized citizens to register to vote. The 1924 law, which required naturalized citizens to provide documentation proving their citizenship when registering to vote, was also the subject of a federal lawsuit. A group (the … Continue reading 2022 Legislative win!

New MIRA Organizer


Welcome, new MIRA Organizer Nataly Camacho Morales, a native of Oaxaca, Mexico! Nataly grew up in Clinton MS graduated from Holmes Community College with a Paralegal degree. She joined MIRA as an organizer in February 2022, to work alongside Luis Espinoza on the vaccination and health campaigns. Together, they organize events for the immigrant community … Continue reading New MIRA Organizer

More than 1,600 Vaccines for Immigrants 


Continuing our efforts to protect the health and safety of Mississippi’s immigrants, MIRA lead organizer Luis Espinoza has launched an important campaign called “Tu Salud es Importante… ¡Vacunate!” (Your health is important…get vaccinated!), which focuses on two major fronts: first, distributing booster shots to those who have already been vaccinated during MIRA’s earlier outreach and … Continue reading More than 1,600 Vaccines for Immigrants 

MIRA Legal Project Updates


The Legal Project has been working on a number of cases, including employment authorizations, DACA renewals, marriage-based adjustments of status. Additionally, we have successfully assisted several clients in obtaining citizenship (see below). The Legal Project has been active in organizing and community action, attending events held in remembrance of the 2019 worksite raids in Mississippi, … Continue reading MIRA Legal Project Updates

Visit with Dr. Paul Ortiz and Students from University of Florida at Gainesville


During summer 2021, MIRA received a visit from Dr. Paul Ortiz and 20 students from the University of Florida at Gainesville (UF). Dr. Ortiz, an author and professor of history at UF, directs an initiative called the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program (SPOHP), which “is committed to using critical historical inquiry and digital humanities production … Continue reading Visit with Dr. Paul Ortiz and Students from University of Florida at Gainesville

2021 Staff Updates


Welcome to William Huff, new paralegalThe MIRA Legal Project welcomes William “Willy” Huff as our new paralegal. Willy grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and is a Millsaps College graduate with a BA in Political Science. Before working with MIRA, he interned with the American Civil Liberties Union. He now assists MIRA Legal Project Director Attorney … Continue reading 2021 Staff Updates

Virtual Immigration Town Hall


Join us TONIGHT at 6PM for a virtual Town Hall as we discuss ICE, immigration law, and community empowerment. Co-hosted by Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance , ACLU of Mississippi, and Immigrant Alliance for Justice & Equity of Mississippi. Zoom information below:

MIRA continues support to immigrant families hard hit by COVID


With the virus spreading rapidly in the cramped working conditions of the poultry plants, many Mississippi immigrants have contracted COVID-19. Tragically, a number of immigrants have passed away from COVID. In a community still suffering the fallout from last year’s massive immigration raids, this combination of illness, deaths, and layoffs has been devastating.  In June, … Continue reading MIRA continues support to immigrant families hard hit by COVID

MIRA Legal Project Update


MIRA staff, including members of the Legal Project, are working remotely and continuing to defend and expand immigrant rights at this challenging time.  Complicating matters is the fact that USCIS Offices remain closed and don’t plan to reopen until around June 4th. They suspended in-person services in most field offices, but continue to provide mission-critical … Continue reading MIRA Legal Project Update

The worst ICE raid in our history


To say that this is an emergency of unprecedented proportions would be putting it lightly. Last Wednesday, August 7th, about 600 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Officers descended on Mississippi to carry out the largest single-state immigration raid in our country’s history. They swept up 680 immigrants at 7 food processing plants … Continue reading The worst ICE raid in our history

Trouble Voting in Mississippi?


Are you a naturalized U.S. citizen? Are you registered to vote? Have you had trouble registering or voting? Please come to an important meeting for all naturalized citizens and interested people. ¿Es usted un ciudadano estadounidense naturalizado? Está registrado para votar? ¿Ha tenido problemas para registrarse o para votar? Por favor, venga a una reunión … Continue reading Trouble Voting in Mississippi?

May Naturalization Workshop


Saturday, May 25 · 9AM – 12PM · MIRA Office (4436 N. State Street, Ste. A-1, Jackson, MS) Join us for our May Naturalization Workshop! During this workshop, MIRA Legal Project Director Attorney L. Patricia Ice will help Lawful Permanent Residents complete the N-400 application for Naturalization. A few important details to be aware of: … Continue reading May Naturalization Workshop

April Naturalization Workshop


Saturday, April 27 · 9AM – 12PM · MIRA Office (4436 N. State Street, Ste. A-1, Jackson, MS) Join us for our April Naturalization Workshop! During this workshop, MIRA Legal Project Director Attorney L. Patricia Ice will help Lawful Permanent Residents complete the N-400 application for Naturalization. A few important details to be aware of: … Continue reading April Naturalization Workshop

2019 MIRA Civic Engagement Day Legislative Priorities: House of Representatives


After our 12:30PM news conference in the Capitol building’s rotunda, participants formed delegations (about 6 people per group) and moved to meet with specific legislators. The delegations included immigrants and people from Mississippi’s Latino and Muslim communities; there was also a bilingual person in each group to translate for any non-English speakers. Each delegation was … Continue reading 2019 MIRA Civic Engagement Day Legislative Priorities: House of Representatives

Welcome New MIRA Staff Members


Welcome Luis Espinoza, a native of Ecuador, who has been publishing La Noticia, a Spanish-language weekly newspaper in Mississippi, for nearly twenty years. He has been associated with MIRA since our founding, and tells our story to Latino communities throughout the state. Luis has extensive relations with Latino communities, and while continuing his journalistic work, … Continue reading Welcome New MIRA Staff Members

Civic Engagement Day 2019


Join us on Wednesday, January 30 for a critical action at the Mississippi State Capitol as we support human rights for all! Meet at the MIRA Office (4436 N. State Street, Ste. A-1, Jackson, MS) at 10:00AM for an update and orientation on the legislative session, and to prepare to meet with legislators at the … Continue reading Civic Engagement Day 2019

January Naturalization Workshop


Saturday, January 26 · 9AM – 12PM · MIRA Office (4436 N. State Street, Ste. A-1, Jackson, MS) Join us for our first Naturalization Workshop of 2019! During this workshop, MIRA Legal Project Director Attorney L. Patricia Ice will help Lawful Permanent Residents complete the N-400 application for Naturalization. A few important details to be aware of: … Continue reading January Naturalization Workshop

January 2019 Advocacy Meeting


Please join us for the first Advocacy meeting of 2019 – Wednesday, January 16 at 12pm, at the MIRA office (4436 N. State Street, Ste. A-1, Jackson, MS). Lunch will be served as we continue preparation for Civic Engagement Day 2019. In addition to getting ready for Civic Engagement Day, we will be working on … Continue reading January 2019 Advocacy Meeting

Welcome, new U.S. Citizen!


On Thursday, Sept 13, Lenol O. Flowers, a native of Belize, was sworn in as a US citizen in Jackson, Mississippi Federal District Court. Congratulations, Mr. Flowers!

MIRA Executive Director to retire


Bill Chandler, the Executive Director and a founding member of the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, is preparing to retire. A lifelong activist, organizer, and tireless advocate for immigrant and worker rights, Bill, now 77, plans to transition out of full-time work. Though he will step down from day-to-day involvement, he will remain an ardent supporter of … Continue reading MIRA Executive Director to retire

September Naturalization Workshop


Saturday, September 29 · 9AM – 12PM · MIRA Office Join us for our third Naturalization Workshop this summer. During this workshop, MIRA Legal Project Director Attorney L. Patricia Ice will help Lawful Permanent Residents complete the N-400 application for Naturalization. A few important details to be aware of: In order to apply for naturalization, you … Continue reading September Naturalization Workshop

July Naturalization Workshop


Saturday, July 28 · 9AM – 12PM · MIRA Office Join us for our second Naturalization Workshop this summer. During this workshop, MIRA Legal Project Director Attorney L. Patricia Ice will help Lawful Permanent Residents complete the N-400 application for Naturalization. A few important details to be aware of: In order to apply for naturalization, you … Continue reading July Naturalization Workshop

June Naturalization Workshop


Saturday, June 23 · 9AM – 12PM · MIRA Office Join us for our first Naturalization Workshop this summer. During this workshop, MIRA Legal Project Director Attorney L. Patricia Ice will help Lawful Permanent Residents complete the N-400 application for Naturalization. A few important details to be aware of: In order to apply for naturalization, you … Continue reading June Naturalization Workshop

Naturalization + Voter Registration = New Political Power


In Mississippi and across the country, immigrants are always on the defensive, politically speaking – constantly resisting racist candidates and xenophobic legislation. MIRA is launching a longterm effort to build political power through the ballot box: helping people apply for citizenship so that they can become registered voters is a proven and historic strategy for … Continue reading Naturalization + Voter Registration = New Political Power

MIRA Organizer Melinda Medina speaks as part of Poor People’s Campaign rally in Jackson, MS


Speech that Melinda Medina, MIRA Organizer, delivered to the participants of a Poor People’s Campaign rally at the Mississippi State Capitol on May 21, 2018. Learn more about the goals and history of the Poor People’s Campaign here. A single mother from a distant land struggles to feed her child. Where she is from there … Continue reading MIRA Organizer Melinda Medina speaks as part of Poor People’s Campaign rally in Jackson, MS

Cinco De Mayo: The Truth


It is amazing the misinformation and ignorance that abounds about Latinos. A sad but good example is that of the perception that Cinco de Mayo is “Mexican Independence Day.” It is not. Mexican Independence Day is September 16, 1810. While Cinco de Mayo is sometimes promoted as such mainly to sell beer and tequila in … Continue reading Cinco De Mayo: The Truth

DOJ: Jackson must drop sanctuary status or lose federal funding 


In summer 2017, reports surfaced that Trump was beginning to make good on his threats against so-called “sanctuary cities” by denying federal funding to cities that failed to comply with new Department of Justice requirements. Essentially, the new DOJ guidelines say that local law enforcement must assist federal immigration agents, or else lose funding from … Continue reading DOJ: Jackson must drop sanctuary status or lose federal funding 

2018 Civic Engagement Day Recap


On Wednesday, January 24th 2018, MIRA members and allies traveled to the Mississippi State Capitol to engage with state legislators. We urged lawmakers to oppose all anti-immigrant proposals introduced, and to support a number of proposals that would benefit immigrants and other workers. State Representative Kathy Sykes (D, Jackson) introduced many of the legislative proposals that … Continue reading 2018 Civic Engagement Day Recap

In memory of Korey M. Harrion


In memory of Korey M. Harrion (1977-2018). On March 14, 2018 the MIRA lost our webmaster, Korey Harrion, following a brief illness. Prior to becoming a MIRA staff member, Korey graduated from Callaway High School, Hinds Community College, and Jackson State University with degrees in Computer Science. Harrion played saxophone in the Callaway High School … Continue reading In memory of Korey M. Harrion

Community Activists Confront Rep. Andy Gipson (R-District 77)


  During the 2018 Mississippi legislative session, Rep. Andy Gipson (R-District 77) authored an anti-CAIR resolution (HR-1) that sent a clear message of distrust to Mississippi’s Muslim community. Mississippi has historically displayed anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments. Local community activists decided to join MIRA’s 2018 Civic Engagement Day to confront Rep. Gipson about HR-1 and to foster a … Continue reading Community Activists Confront Rep. Andy Gipson (R-District 77)

Undocumented Immigrants CAN apply to College


 “Undocumented immigrants can apply to college. Many undocumented students aren’t sure if they can legally attend college in the U.S. Some automatically assume they can’t. However, there are no federal or state laws prohibiting the admission of undocumented immigrants to U.S. colleges, and schools aren’t required to report undocumented applicants or students to immigration officials. State … Continue reading Undocumented Immigrants CAN apply to College

#DefendDACA Protest


The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, and its allies, will peacefully protest outside the office of Sen. Thad Cochran in Jackson, MS on Friday September 8th, from 11:30AM to 2:00PM.

“Here I’ll Stay,” documentary


Both immigrants and allies spent an entire day at the Mississippi State Capitol speaking with local legislators about the anti-immigrant bills introduced during the …

Sign-up for MIRA Text Alerts!


Please text MIRA to 33222 on your cell phone to receive up to four mobile alerts per month from the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance. It’s easy and quick, so sign-up now! Thanks!