Our mission to build support for immigrants and refugees

About Us

We are a group of students from Melrose High School and for our Genocide and Holocaust class, and we were assigned a civic project. For our civics projects, the topic of healthcare, specifically mental health for undocumented immigrants is an important topic for us to advocate.

Undocumented immigrants are less likely to seek health care than any other group, and even less likely to seek mental health care. This is due to the already existing mental health stigma, compounded by the fear of getting deported, a language barrier, and cultural beliefs that may stigmatize mental health further.

Our Plan

On a local level, we hope this website can spread awareness about this current issue and motion a change. We reached out to State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian and she informed us of Massachusetts regulations regarding undocumented immigrants in healthcare. At the moment, all undocumented immigrants under the age of 18 are allowed MassHealth coverage. There is a bill being moved for all people under the age of 21 can be provided MassHealth. See here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1237

Massachusetts is a sanctuary state, meaning they limit their responses to immigration detainees, a haven for immigrants. However, not all cities/towns in Massachusetts are sanctuaries. One of these towns includes Melrose. In hopes of this website and coverage, we can start a movement to make Melrose a sanctuary town.Â