U.S. ban on WeChat detriment to Chinese community
President Trump’s executive order banning WeChat has been met with mixed reactions – fromconcerns that the action represents a free speech violation to skepticism surrounding the extent itwill ensure national security. But for the Chinese community, the ban is viewed as a threat totheir communication with loved ones, economic livelihoods, and connection to the world. Joyce*, a Chinese woman living in the United States, uses WeChat on a daily basis to talk to herparents in China. Upon learning about the […]
Committee on City and Neighborhood Services holds hearing for rodent control and illegal dumping in City of Boston
On September 22, the Boston City Council referred the Committee on City and Neighborhood Services to hold a virtual hearing for Docket #0935 on the subject of pest control and illegal dumping of trash in the City. The hearing was facilitated and sponsored by Councilors Ed Flynn and Liz Breaden. The goal of the hearing was to discuss the issues and potential solutions to address the rise in recent months of rodents and illegal dumping on the streets. Since a […]
Emerson, Tufts, and residents address disturbances at testing sites in Chinatown
College COVID-19 testing sites cause concern for residents of Chinatown. (Photo courtesy of Carey Lin/Sampan) The office of Councilor Ed Flynn convened another meeting on September 15, with the purpose of communicating about two testing sites in Chinatown. At this meeting, representatives from testing sites responded to complaints from residents about long lines forming outside the testing sites. Attendees also addressed the issues of penalties for conduct violations. “How would you feel if I open up a COVID-19 testing site […]
Inside the fight to end deportations of Southeast Asian immigrants
When Saray Im received a letter in the mail saying that he would have to be detained and deported by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, he was speechless. He had received a similar notice in March 2019, when he had reported to the detention center in Burlington, and he dreaded having to relive that experience. If he was deported, he wondered, how would he help pay his family’s rent and support his wife and children? The morning of […]
City of Boston supports lawsuit against USCIS fee increase
On September 17, the City of Boston announced an amicus brief for a lawsuit against a policy to increase citizenship application costs and eliminate the fee waiver. Announced by Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the brief is in support of a lawsuit by Project Citizenship, a Boston nonprofit that provides free legal services to Massachusetts immigrants. The City of Boston led this amicus brief on behalf of 34 cities, counties, and municipal agencies. (*33 cities and counties + USCM + MAPC […]
Boston Police Reform Task Force hold online listening session
Complying with the wave of nationwide protests against police brutality, Boston manifested its actions in the Boston Police Reform Task Force, convened by Mayor Martin Walsh in June. The 11-member task force — composed of community leaders, advocates, members of the legal profession, and law enforcement members — reviewed the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) current policies and procedures, and drafted a report with recommendations for reform. During the final online public listening session on Sept. 22, members from the task […]
Immigrants face barriers to voting rights in upcoming election
By Shira Laucharoen and Mandy Sun With the 2020 presidential election approaching, political participation and civic engagement are more crucial than ever. According to the Pew Research Center, Asian Americans are the fastest growing body of eligible voters out of the United States’ major ethnic and racial groups. In the Greater Boston area, advocates and organizers are working to increase voter activity among Asian Americans, while addressing the barriers that some may still continue to encounter. Immigrant voters in the […]