Massachusetts Law Reform Institute

Tenants have waited years for this critical funding to make lifesaving repairs and modernizations to their homes ahead of extreme weather.

But Trump plans to terminate the funding.

apnews.com/article/trum...

Yesterday w/ @shrivercenter.bsky.social, @prrac.bsky.social, @masslawreform.bsky.social, @seniorcaucus.bsky.social, Northwestern Law Tenant Advocacy Clinic, & Lakeside Tower Tenant Union, we urged the 1st Circuit to protect tenants, save homes, & uphold a preliminary injunction to access GRRP $$$.

Upcoming Event: Understanding SNAP Cuts and Their Impact Join Project Bread and Mass Law Reform for a public webinar on Wednesday, September 25 from 2-3 PM.

Join our FREE webinar on SNAP 📅 Thursday, September 25, 2-3pm with @masslawreform.bsky.social! Learn about changes to SNAP, implications for food access in MA, and how you can take action. Register now! projectbread.org/events/under... #SNAPMatters #endhunger #foodsecurity

Immigrants using CBP One app sue Trump administration for denying legal status Plaintiffs say thousands of people who used the CBP One app to legally immigrate to the U.S. are at risk of deportation because of the program's cancellation.

“They complied with all of the instructions. They’ve done everything that they were supposed to do,” said Heather Arroyo, senior immigration attorney at @masslawreform.bsky.social “This was just arbitrarily stripped from them.”

www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...

We look forward to the work ahead with the Anti-Hunger Task Force & addressing the grave need to invest in DTA & providing funds to make sure families don’t go hungry.

After passage of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ some low-income workers ask: How will I support my family? - The Boston Globe Cuts to SNAP and Medicaid benefits could hurt low-income workers, while tax breaks will disproportionately benefit wealthy business owners, adding to the gap between rich and poor.

As MLRI shared with the @bostonglobe.com @ktkjohnston.bsky.social - Masschusetts has the resources to mitigate the worst harms of this horrific federal legislation.

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/17/m...

MLRI and civil legal aid are ready to stand with the Healey Administration to find ways to mitigate the serious cuts to SNAP food benefits passed by President Trump & Republicans in Congress.

www.mass.gov/news/as-trum...

MLRI is so grateful for the long-term support we have received from the @bostonbar.bsky.social, and again this year. We are honored to continue our partnership to deliver justice and serve the legal aid needs of vulnerable communities in and around Boston.

bostonbar.org/news/bbf-gra...

Here in MA, our delegation stands firmly against these cuts. HOWEVER, if you have friends and family in other states, urge them to contact their Senators!

Just two minutes of your time will make a difference. Our voices can protect what matters, like each other.

The House already passed their version w/ devastating cuts to basic needs programs like SNAP & Medicaid, but this can stop here, with the Senate.

Join us TODAY to urge Senators to vote NO on the budget bill that puts billionaires over our basic needs.

What would you do if you lost your healthcare, or if your money for groceries was gone overnight? And you didn't have any money to fill the gap?

Hundreds of thousands of MA households could lose groceries or healthcare if the Senate passes the proposals in front of them now.

MLRI applauds the MA Congressional Delegation for their commitment to opposing these cuts. We urge the Senate to reject these cruel cuts and protect families in Massachusetts. Read the MLRI press release: www.mlri.org/2025/05/23/m.... #mapoli

House Republicans’ Extreme Budget Plan Fails Families, Children, and Communities | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ...

Up to 350,000 MassHealth members & 230,000 SNAP recipients in MA could lose coverage or benefits. Burdensome work requirements & red tape are designed to kick eligible people off—decades of evidence show these don’t increase employment, just hardship.

The GOP bill dumps $53M/year in SNAP admin costs onto MA immediately & up to $660M/year in SNAP benefits starting in 2027. SNAP brings $2.6B fed. food dollars annually to MA & shifting fed. costs to states would end SNAP’s role as one of the best tools we have to support local economies.

1 in 6 MA residents use SNAP to help buy groceries. 1 in 3 depend on MassHealth. The bulk of residents harmed are kids, older adults and persons with disabilities. This bill would slash these lifelines, making hunger, poverty, and poor health worse across the Commonwealth.

House Republicans voted on May 22nd for the largest cuts to food assistance & healthcare in our nation’s history— giving more money to billionaires & wealthy corporations. The ultra-rich will get even richer, while millions in Massachusetts will suffer. #MApoli

ICE begins detentions at immigration courts in Boston and Chelmsford Advocates say the move is another escalation in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

MLRI remains committed to defending immigrant communities and ensuring everyone receives the due process protections they deserve.

Read the full story: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...

As MLRI's Heather Arroyo said, “This is a flagrant violation of fundamental fairness in court and it has not been done under any other previous administration, not even during the first Trump administration."⁠

Yesterday, at least three individuals were detained at Massachusetts immigration courts—an alarming new tactic that undermines due process and the rights of our immigrant neighbors. ⁠

ICE begins detentions at immigration courts in Boston and Chelmsford Advocates say the move is another escalation in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

“This is a flagrant violation of fundamental fairness in court and it has not been done under any other previous administration, not even during the first Trump administration,” said Heather Arroyo of @masslawreform.bsky.social www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social

“This package as a whole says to the American people: We are prioritizing the needs of the wealthy... & the privileged, over every family in this country who is working hard to get by and does not make enough money to put food on the table or afford health care.” - MLRI's Vicky Negus⁠.

What Trump’s ‘beautiful bill’ means for Medicaid, food stamps, and Massachusetts - The Boston Globe Hundreds of thousands of low-income residents in the state could lose food assistance and health care coverage, leading to an even greater divide between rich and poor.

Last week, House Republicans voted to pass a bill that would gut Medicaid & SNAP — stripping basic supports from hundreds of thousands of low-income MA residents, while handing massive tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.⁠⁠

Yesterday, House Republicans voted to pass historic cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, threatening food and health care for millions in Massachusetts—all to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. These cuts will increase hunger, worsen health, and destabilize our economy. Read MLRI's full statement:

It’s time to rein in 'junk' rental fees MASSACHUSETTS RENTERS ARE already grappling with sky-high housing costs. Now imagine trying to renew your lease, only to be hit with a $300 lease renewal

Hidden rental fees are pushing MA renters to the brink-costing families thousands for nothing in return. These “junk” costs are making it even harder to afford a home.⁠ MLRI’s Mark Martinez breaks down why it’s time to end these predatory fees: commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/its-...

Thank you Yvonne Abraham & @bostonglobe.com for this important coverage.

MLRI’s Kate Symmonds: “These are cuts that are going to impact the entire program, and have a ripple effect across the Massachusetts economy. It will reduce revenues for community health centers, hospitals, and medical providers, and it will destabilize our health industry.”

With this big, ugly bill, the rich get richer and everybody else pays - The Boston Globe The Republican dilemma: Should their cuts to Medicaid be downright evil, or just unspeakably cruel?

House Republicans just voted to slash Medicaid & SNAP — essential basic needs programs for low-income individuals across the nation— to give tax breaks to the wealthy. This is cruel & threatens the health & stability of our communities. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/22/m...

Are you having trouble finding an apartment with an eviction on your record?🏠
You may be able to "seal" your record in Massachusetts. ✉️
Seal means that the eviction record will no longer be publicly available.
➡️Learn more at www.SealMyEviction.org!

We are grateful to @pressley.house.gov @repmcgovern.bsky.social @whipkclark.bsky.social & the rest of the MA congressional delegation for their ongoing leadership in protecting SNAP and supporting food security for all residents. #mapoli