By Gerardo Beltrán Salinas; Photo credit: Gerardo Beltrán Salinas The Capitol Theater was a cultural landmark in New Bedford’s North End for much of the 20th century. Inaugurated on Nov. 29, 1920, it was also a vibrant …
NEW BEDFORD — Every February since he began work, James has been coming to the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts to file his tax returns. An immigrant from Colombia who works as a teacher, James said he came to the U.S. in 2001 when he was 6 years old. He’s been enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program since the Obama administration created it in 2012, though his parents remain undocumented. Yet, this year, his obligation to file taxes has taken on a new dimension of fear for James, who asked to use a pseudonym due to concerns around immigration enforcement.
BOSTON—Immigrant and taxpayer advocates celebrate the decision by a federal court on Thursday to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) use of tax-related data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts is a win for taxpayers nationwide who have weighed whether filing their taxes exposes them to potential ICE arrest, detention, and deportation.
During July and August, New Bedford once again enjoyed Latin traditions and culture, albeit in a different way. The beloved “Patio de comidas” — “Courtyard of Food” — which for years brought together hundreds of families in Riverside Park each summer, adopted a new format this season due to security concerns. Following the ongoing immigration enforcement operations by federal agencies in the city, the event was not held in its usual outdoor space at Riverside Park.
A dilapidated red brick building stretches along Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford’s North End, amid homes, shops, sidewalks, and the occasional tree. Entrances with peeling paints of blue, red and green beckon to long-gone customers, offering entertainment that hasn’t existed for decades. Two stories up, unseen to passersby, a green sanctuary sits in this otherwise urban jungle. Encircled by the tops of the building’s brick walls, a sea of green, red and brown plants emerges. Although they appear to be a garden, these plants have a much more essential purpose.
NEW BEDFORD — More than 200 demonstrators marched through the city’s North End on Sunday to commemorate International Workers’ Day and condemn the Trump administration for immigration detentions that have sent shockwaves through this community. “It’s really important that we continue this organizing and continue to resist ICE aggression, to kick them out of New Bedford and kick them out of the North End,” said Corrin Williams, executive director of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts.
The LISC Massachusetts team made the first stop of a statewide site tour in New Bedford. During the jam-packed and inspiring tour of the Acushnet Ave/North End neighborhood, the team met with residents and vital community development partners who are all helping build new housing, launch community spaces, and grow new businesses in this vibrant neighborhood. The day wrapped with an informational session about our small biz programs and opportunities that attracted 30+ New Bedford area small business owners.
Every morning, Corinn Williams, the director of the Community Economic Development Center (CEDC), powers up her computer to tally the latest emails she has sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), notifying them about the arrival of new immigrants at her office. In September, there were more than a dozen notifications. However, that doesn’t equate to 12 individuals. In reality, she explains, it involves a dozen families.