JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST
| Save the MiF Date! |
| The Maine Immigration Forum (MiF) on Sept. 18, 2025 is just a month away. This event will serve as a beacon of celebration, recognition, and unity for immigrant communities across our state. This year’s theme — “Embracing our Diverse Roots, Cultivating our Future in Maine” — captures a spirit of both reflection and anticipation, weaving a narrative of rootedness and renewal. It acknowledges Maine’s natural and cultural landscapes while looking ahead to a more inclusive and vibrant future. At the heart of this gathering is a commitment to recognizing all who call Maine home — from the Wabanaki peoples, who have stewarded this land for generations, to the many immigrant communities who contribute their stories, labor, and dreams to the state’s fabric. As we come together to celebrate our collective heritage, the MiF stands as a testament to the power of diversity, collaboration, and community in building a stronger, more unified Maine. Get details and register for it TODAY. _______________________________________  MIRC’s Advocacy Updates Twice a month MIRC’s Advocacy Manager, Ruben Torres, compiles a comprehensive list of local, state, and federal updates on immigration-related news and policy for our website and listserve. Recent editions have covered: Updates about ICE in Old Orchard Beach, housing in Portland and beyond, a bad ruling on asylum-seeking victims of gender-based violence, statewide referendum questions coming to your ballots, how to track ICE detention, states’ pushback against sharing the personal data of applicants for food assistance, and more. You can read it online here. Want to see Ruben’s policy hot takes, served with a dash of humor, straight to your inbox? Sign-up to our list HERE. _______________________________________  Community Event on Disinfo, Sept. 9 “Disinformation reshapes public discourse, erodes trust, fragments communities, and influences decision-making — but how does it take hold, and what makes it so effective?” Our friends at Maine Philanthropy Center invite you a community event in Hallowell, with a panel moderated by Colin Woodard, and a keynote speech by Renée DiResta, where nonprofits, funders, elected officials, and communication professionals will explore these questions together. Register HERE (deadline Sept. 5) _______________________________________  Mufalo on the Air! MIRC’s Director, Mufalo Chitam, was featured on two radio show podcasts recently: Let’s Connect Greater Portland and Refugee Matters. On Let’s Connect, also aired on WMPG, Mufalo Chitam, was joined by Marpheen Chann, author and founder of Khmer Maine. Together, they unpacked how new federal immigration policies are impacting southern Maine — from legal hurdles and workforce challenges to personal stories of arrival and adaptation. On the latest Refugee Matters podcast, Mufalo joined Nura Elmagbari and Diana Diaz to talk about the “resilience trap,” where immigrant and refugee communities faced with unprecedented attacks are told, “just be resilient.” The podcast explored what community care and healing in wholeness actually looks like. Give them both a listen, and then share them with your community. _______________________________________  Soccer Saturdays till Aug. 23 Though our friends at the Immigrant Welcome Center in Portland had to close their office doors this year, their tradition of summertime Soccer Saturday is still kicking in Portland’s Kennedy Park. It’s being carried by a new MIRC member, Food For All Services. Yes, they bring snacks! Come at 12:30pm, ready to sweat, on the next Saturday. FFAS staff will be there with soccer balls, drinks, and a shade tent. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Come to play, cheer, or just hang out. If you want to pitch in with snacks or as a volunteer, that would be great too. You can also help spread the word by sharing this invitation on Instagram. _______________________________________  |
| MIRC Joins National Refugee Advocacy We’re proud to be part of making We Are All America’s National Refugee Advocacy Days 2025 happen! During the week of September 8th-12th we’ll advocating for refugees and immigrants, alongside groups from more than 20 states. We’ll be meeting virtually with our members of Congress and their staff with these four asks of our elected officials: (1) Restore and Strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program; (2) Defend Asylum and Due Process as Human Rights; (3) Support Protections for TPS Holders and Prevent Backlogs; and (4) End Discriminatory Travel Bans. Learn more about We Are America here. _______________________________________  |
| Member spotlight: Gateway Community Services Maine |
| Gateway Community Services Maine (GCSM) is a longtime member of the MIRC family. This week they announced Nathan Davis as their Executive Director. Davis began on the ground with program delivery and most recently served as Director of Programs. His deep commitment to community-led solutions and equity-centered work has shaped GCSM’s impact across Maine. Nathan’s leadership honors the foundation laid by Abdullahi Ali and brings fresh energy to our mission: making Maine an inclusive, connected, and thriving home for all. GCSM’s announcement says Nathan is “ready to lead us into our next chapter—deepening community connections, nurturing youth leadership, and building a more resilient future.” Learn more about GCSM. |
————————————————–
| maineimmigrantrights.org | 207-956-7030 Enhancing Immigrant Lives for a Stronger Maine! Photo credits: Seedling courtesy Presente!ME; August 1 rally at Portland City Hall photo by Panagioti Tsolkas; Mufalo in the radio studio by Tom Bell; soccer game by Firdaws Hakizimana; Nathan Davis courtesy GCSM. |