Happy New Year to all.

TASK FORCE INFORMATION:
>>. Our next meeting will be held via Zoom, on Monday evening, January 8, 2024 at 7:30.  In case you did not receive a Zoom Invitation from Bill, you can access the  Zoom Meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88392038060?pwd=SllXT0xCSkFIZjR2TXIwRXp2UkFzUT09 .

>> Please review the Minutes from the December 11, 2023 attached.
>> The Agenda for our meeting is also attached.

>> Our guest speaker on Monday evening will be Needham attorney Michael Diener, who will discuss how the International Institute along with volunteers are assisting migrants to obtain work authorization
while awaiting further processing for asylum hearings.  This is one of the cutting issues that you will find enlightening.  You may wish to volunteer after listening to him!

>> Given the issues at the Border, I am suggesting two Reports published by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service, a branch of the Library of Congress, for use by Members of Congress.
1.  Immigration 101: Executive Branch agencies Involved with Immigration  ( https:///www.everycrsreport.com/files/2023-06-07_IF12424_fc08b1e0d3db9175a487883adf481a6a9f871c88.pdf   )
2.  Immigration Law Regulating thr Admission and Exclusion of Aliens at the Border    https://fas.org/spg/crs/homesec/LSB10150.pdf )

FYI:  The Department of Homeland Security has indicated it costs $150.00/day to house detainees, but only $8.00/day to use a GPS ankle monitoring bracelet.  As of Dec 17, 2023, there were 36,263 detainees 
in the custody of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE)  66.8% of whom have no criminal recordand 192,163 migrants monitored by GPS programs.  
 NATIONAL NEWS:
>> See the NY Times video and article ( https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/14/us/roofing-children-immigrants.html    ) about children risking their lives working in the most dangerous jobs.  (Where is the Department of Labor????)

LOCAL NEWS:
>> You may be interested in an interfaith healing concert 4:00PM,  Sunday afternoon, at the Wellesley Village  Church.  There is no admission charge.  See attached flier.

>>. The Needham Diversity Initiative is presenting it’s annual Martin Luther King Day event on January 15.  See flier below.

>> On Dec 6th, WGBH aired  disturbing pod cast entitled , “Despite new law, undocumented immigrants face issues getting driver’s licenses in Massachusetts” 


>> LOCAL REQUESTS:
  >> MIRA is running a series of citizenship clinics and needs volunteers!   You do not need to be an attorney They are particularly looking for volunteers for the clinics in Fall River and Everett. 
• Friday, Jan 19 in Fall River from 10am-1pm 
• Saturday, Feb 3 in Everett from 9:30am-12:30pm   
For more info, email Diane Joly at djoly@miracoalition.org.    

I look forward to “seeing you all on Monday evening.
Stay safe

Gerry Rovner