News: Madeline Graf

Suit challenges DHS, CBP, USCIS for abruptly stripping thousands of immigrants of legal status, work authorization, and benefits without due process.

BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), together with Democracy Forward, is filing a suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and three individuals from Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti, challenging a new policy implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),  that abruptly and unlawfully strips immigrants of their parole status and work authorization.

Devenscrest tenants have fought for four years to retain low-cost units in tight-knit development

AYER – The Devenscrest Tenants Association (DCTA) is praising state housing officials, local legislators and the housing advocates of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) for their commitment to enabling  an agreement with a new buyer, the Schochet Companies, that will keep families in their homes with rents they can afford.  Gov. Maura Healy today announced a funding award that will help to make the transaction possible.

The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute applauds Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature for investing in secure EBT cards to protect SNAP food benefit recipients against theft. The FY 25 supplemental budget (S.2575, item 4400-1033), signed into law this week, includes $15.5 million for the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to upgrade EBT cards with chip technology.

Boston, MA (July 10, 2025) – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is proud to announce that Carmen Nieves, Executive Director of Alianza DV Services, will be honored with the 2025 Gladys Vega Outstanding Community Leader Award at the annual Catalyst for Change event on September 18th, 2025. Debuted in 2023, this distinguished award recognizes exceptional leaders who champion the rights of their communities across Massachusetts.

BOSTON, MA (July 7 2025) – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) applaud the Legislature’s proposal that bans the practice of requiring renters to pay broker’s fees when they have not hired a broker themselves. This long-overdue reform, included in the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, will make accessing housing more affordable for thousands of Massachusetts renters.

For Immediate Release
For more information: Madeline Graf: mgraf@mlri.org  | (857) 241-1745 

President Trump and Congress Strip Food and Health Insurance from Millions of Residents
Massachusetts must marshall its resources to mitigate harm and protect its residents from the unconscionable impacts of the reconciliation bill 

BOSTON, MA (July 4, 2025) – Today, President Trump signed a bill from Republicans in Congress that cuts the largest amount from food assistance and healthcare in history – all to pay for tax cuts for wealthy corporations and billionaires.

MLRI is honored to have been selected by the Cummings Foundation as one of the Cummings $30 Million Grant Program recipients!⁠

For Immediate Release
For more information: Madeline Graf: mgraf@mlri.org  | (857) 241-1745 

House Republicans Vote to Strip Basic Healthcare and Food Benefits From Millions of Massachusetts Residents

Dumping federal costs onto Massachusetts and slashing eligibility for very low-income residents will increase hunger, worsen health, and deepen poverty.

BOSTON, MA (May 23, 2025) – Early yesterday morning, Republicans in Congress voted to pass the largest cuts to food assistance and healthcare in history – all to pay for tax cuts for wealthy corporations and billionaires.