In partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Healey-Driscoll Administration of Massachusetts significantly streamlined the process of attaining work authorizations for appropriate migrants. Over 1,000 migrants housed at emergency family shelters were successfully assisted in obtaining work authorizations within the initial week of the new Work Authorization Legal Clinic according to a press release. Subsequently, the clinic served approximately 1,200 individuals by the week's end, further emphasizing the clinic's effectiveness in expediting work authorization processing.
The Work Authorization Legal Clinic, situated in Middlesex County, has the intent of reducing work authorization processing times from months to weeks. It is composed of multiple stations operated by federal, state, and nonprofit organizations. These organizations collectively assist migrants living in emergency assistance shelters by facilitating the processing of their authorization documents and providing access to various support services.
Highlighting the success of the clinic's first operational week, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, stated, "Work authorization is key to helping new arrivals get jobs that will help them to support their families, move out of emergency shelter into more stable housing options, and fill critical workforce needs across our economy." She expresses gratitude towards the Biden-Harris Administration for their support in expediting application processing and also towards participating state and nonprofit agencies.
In addition to facilitating the attainment of work authorization, the clinic offers migrants further services. As revealed in the press release, these services include seasonal vaccinations, immediate registration as a MassHire customer, access to a MassHire JobQuest account, assistance in creating a resume and crafting a career action plan, job searching support, the provision of a career counselor, and childcare enrollment assistance.
The effective collaboration between numerous federal, state, and nonprofit organizations demonstrates a combined effort that underscores the benefits of cooperation. Partners involved in this initiative include the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Massachusetts National Guard, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, State Police, Attorney General's Office, Red Cross, Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, and others.
The Work Authorization Legal Clinic is slated for operation again on the 27th. The program is available only to migrants identified in emergency shelters who are potentially eligible for or actively seeking employment authorization.
