It's been a difficult moment to focus on thankfulness, with so many people are being torn from their families by detention or deportation and with basic services cut or threatened among the most vulnerable.

But in these trying times, we want to bring a message from our movement to you: We're grateful for who you are and all the ways you enrich our lives and communities. You belong here.

As many of us take these next few days to connect with our families and friends, we also want to direct attention to honoring Native American Heritage Month, with a message here from our friends at Wabanaki Alliance, and with news from the annual National Day of Mourning event happening today at Plymouth Rock.

This month's newsletter, our fourth edition of MIRC News & Action, is chocked full of ways to get involved. So instead of shopping on Black Friday, consider spending some time engaging with the calls to action below.

And one more time: Thank you, just for being you.

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As many of you may have heard by now from the news headlines, the soccer community of Maine was once again rocked by news of a player detained by ICE. In this case, 16-year-old rising soccer star Joel along with his two teenage sisters and their mother, all refugees from war in the Congo, are now in a Texas detention center awaiting a hearing. Thanks to an outpouring of support, including from the Hearts of Pine founder, they have secured legal representation.

One way you can show support: There's a soccer tournament in Kennedy Park this Saturday. With many shaken up by the news of Joel's family, there's a call for community orgs and allies to be present there in a display of solidarity. Please consider attending. And if you represent a group with resources to share, you're invited to bring materials about your work.

Here are the details.

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...But it's not over yet. While the Rockland City Council voted 4-1 on Nov. 10 to advance an ordinance prohibiting police and other city employees from assisting federal authorities on immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant, the council is expected to take a final vote on the ordinance as early as Dec. 8, when the ordinance is scheduled for a second reading.

In the absence of Gov. Mills signing LD 1971 (which it's still not too late for her to do, by the way!), ordinances like this offer an example of local leadership stepping up where state leadership fails.

Everything you need to know about supporting this effort can be found in this toolkit.



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The Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) will be awarding seven new organizations an unrestricted operating support award of $30,000 per year for four years, along with a $5,000 annual budget for capacity-building activities.

MeHAF began the Health Equity Capacity-Building (HECB) grants program in the spring of 2018 and over seven years has funded fourteen Maine organizations.

The deadline to send your initial letter of inquiry is Dec. 10.

Everything you need to know is here.

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Join Khmer Maine in Portland on Dec. 16 for a warm and joyful holiday gathering celebrating community, culture, and connection. A Cambodian Christmas will feature Khmer food, music, dance, and stories that bring light to the season while supporting Khmer Maine’s programs for Cambodian and Southeast Asian families across the state.

Event and RSVP details here.

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The new rule proposed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security uses an overly broad definition of who is a "public charge" — a person likely to become dependent on government assistance — to determine who's eligible for citizenship.

We are at our best when everyone can access health care and basic nutrition. But this rule will punish families in Maine with an immigrant in their household for using the very services that they pay taxes for.

It's bad news. But here's some good news: we've defeated it before.

Read, sign and share our petition to show DHS how unpopular this proposed rule is.

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Welcome to one of our newest MIRC members, Food For All Services (FFA), which delivers fresh, culturally meaningful foods to families facing food insecurity in Maine.

Through their Nyumbani Community Pantry, Culturally Relevant Store, and the Halal School Meals Network, they ensure access to Halal, vegan, and vegetarian options for households that are often overlooked by traditional food systems.

FFA is centered on wellness, equity, and dignity, with programs aimed at removing barriers to healthy eating and affirming the cultures and traditions of those they serve.

Learn more about their work.