Restore state benefits for our immigrant neighbors
The Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition was formed in January of 2023 by La Colaborativa and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute to restore state-funded food and cash assistance benefits to Massachusetts immigrants. The coalition is made up of more than 80 organizations from across Massachusetts.
In December 2023, the Coalition celebrated a major victory in securing $6M in funding for state-funded SNAP benefits for Massachusetts immigrants. The state issued 4,400 families state SNAP to help put food on the table. But, the state had to end state SNAP benefits in April 2024 due to lack of funding. The Coalition is continuing to work to secure funding in upcoming budgets and passage of state legislation.
In July of 2025, the Harmful Republic Megabill effectively stripped SNAP benefits from nearly 9,600 legally present refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, battered immigrants and humanitarian parolees.
Why does Massachusetts need state-funded benefits for immigrants?
1 in 6 Massachusetts residents are foreign born. Massachusetts has the 7th largest foreign born population in the country.
Many legally present immigrants who have lived in the state for years - including immigrants with TPS, pending asylum, DACA/Dreamers, Humanitarian Parole, and victims of violence - don’t qualify for critical nutrition benefits. And now 9,600 additional legally present immigrants - refugees, asylees, victims of human traffickng or abuse - will be barred from SNAP.
Families with minor children need temporary cash and food benefits and our most vulnerable elderly and disabled immigrants need access to food benefits.
Keep fighting to restore benefits to Massachusetts immigrants in need.
Questions? Email Pat Baker or Tasmiah Ahmad, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, at PBaker@mlri.org or TAhmad@mlri.org
Senator Sal DiDomenico speaking at Feeding Our Neighbors campaign launch event at La Colaborativa’s food pantry in Chelsea on February 15, 2023, joined by MLRI Executive Director Georgia Katsoulomitis, State Rep Judith Garcia, and La Colaborativa Executive Director Gladys Vega, Photo by Marilyn Humphries