Our Story
Founded by Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in 2005 and was initially fiscally sponsored by Maine People’s Resource Center (MPRC), the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, also known as MIRC, grew in size and power from 20 members to 77 members located throughout the state. What began as a small, informal yet vibrant coalition 16 years ago transitioned into today’s full-fledged, independent 501c3 , immigrant-led non-profit organization.
The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) is the convener of a unique, statewide network of 77 organizations, a majority of which are led by people of color – representing diverse ethnic communities across our state. All coalition member organizations are working to create and support programs and policies that promote immigrant inclusion and integration. MIRC represents member organizations that include immigrant constituency groups, advocacy groups, direct service organizations and grassroots community organizations
About Immigrants in Maine
MIRC’s core constituency includes an estimated 54,525 immigrants and refugees, including asylum seekers, undocumented people, and their native children from diverse countries who are living throughout Maine. While MIRC operates statewide, its activities are currently concentrated in the greater Portland metro area. According to 2016 data from New American Economy, there were 24,277 immigrants living in metro Portland, alone – a 3.9% increase from 2011.
As the number of immigrants and refugees in Maine continues to grow, it has become increasingly more important to understand the needs and priorities of immigrants and how to ensure their inclusion and integration into day-to-day life. Policies that create opportunities for well-being and prosperity are needed in Maine, and without organizations like MIRC that have specific policy platforms and work toward them each day, these policies will not come to be.
There is also a dire need to educate lawmakers and the general public about the many ways in which immigrants enrich communities and contribute to economic prosperity. A selection of data points from the American Immigration Council appear below (2017):
- Immigrants make up 3% (44,694 individuals) of Maine’s total population;
- More than 2% of self-employed business owners in Maine are immigrants, and these businesses generate $48,000,000 in annual revenue.
- More than 9 out of 10 (91.8%) immigrants in Maine speak English “well” or “very well.”
- Nearly 4% of workers in Maine’s labor force are immigrants.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Hermeet K. Kohli
Board President
USM College of Management & Human Services
Hannah DeAngelis
Vice President
Catholic Charities Maine Refugee & Immigration Services
Sarah Lewis
Secretary
John Messer
Treasurer
Dina Yacoubagha
Islamic Center - Maine
Shawna Ohm
Portland Police Department
City of Portland
Deborah P. Ibonwa, Esquire
Maine Equal Justice
Nsiona Nguizani
City of Brunswick
Randi Greenwald
Congregation Bet Ha'am
Kevin Damboise
The Real Estate Store
Advisory Members and Contracted Staff
Nelida Berke
Advisory Council
City of Portland – Maine Minority Health Program
IT Volunteer Consultant
News
Maine Community Action Partnership (MECAP) PSA with Community Leaders
On Friday, April 23 2021, community leaders Charles Mugabe (Catholic Charities Maine), Fatuma Hussein (Immigrant Resource Center of Maine), and Jayde Biggert (MIRC) featured on
NEWS: “Lewiston housing advocates back proposal for new state rental assistance voucher program”
Portland Press Herald (March 4, 2021) – “Lewiston housing advocates back proposal for new state rental assistance voucher program”.
Want to get in touch with MIRC?
We’re happy to answer your questions or comments. Fill out our contact form with your name, email, and message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Address:
24 Preble Street |3rd FL Ste.306
Portland, ME 04101
Office Hours:
9am -5pm Monday – Friday
Phone:
Telephone: 207-517-3404 Cell: 207-776-8138
Fax: 207-517-3410
© 2019 Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition