Together in Action: The IINE Community Participates in Immigrants Day at the MA State House

A Historic Showing

The theme was Courage Over Fear. On March 18, 1,200 immigrants and advocates headed to Boston’s Beacon Hill to make the 30^th annual Immigrants Day at the Statehouse the biggest ever. Among them were IINE staff, volunteers, and students from an adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class.

Organized by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), of which IINE is a member, the event provided a significant show of support at a time when landmark legislation to protect immigrant communities was being actively debated in the building.

The day included a rally, followed by the opportunity for immigrants and advocates to share their thoughts and concerns directly with their representatives.

IINE ESOL Instructor Caroline Sutphin, who brought members of her advanced class, says that she saw the event as an incredible learning opportunity for her students: “I wanted our students to feel the support of the community and the power of showing up and telling their stories in person.” 
 
Leading up to the event, she dedicated class time to helping her students craft personal testimonies about their experiences as immigrants in Boston, the fears provoked by harmful legislation, and their hopes for the future. 

Caroline says that she invited her whole class to attend Immigrants Day at the Statehouse, but that because of the way immigrants are being targeted for detention and deportation without due process, many were afraid to participate. Others were excited by the opportunity.

“The students who were eager to come became advocates for their classmates,” she explains. “They carried their written testimonies with them and prepared to share them.” 

A Wonderful Journey

Hicham, an ESOL student who had come to Boston from Morocco three months earlier to join his wife, was particularly excited. Even before understanding the whole context, he says he was just eager to practice his English conversation skills. 
 
“I wanted to go because I’m very sociable. I took a class in real estate [and wanted] to have interaction with people, and so when she told me about the event, I said yes, I’ll do it!” 
 
Hicham was thrilled when he came to understand that he would be in the State House and have the chance to hear from fellow immigrants, community advocates, and state leaders. Finding himself under the golden dome, in a packed hearing room, joining sing-alongs led by the Be Vocal activist choir, and hearing speakers from various immigrant communities, and legislators, proved to be a moving experience.

 “It was a wonderful journey,” he says. “When I went to the State House, I felt something powerful.”  

 He was inspired to hear directly from Governor Maura Healey, and from several representatives and senators. The message he came away with was that “immigrants have to be comfortable here. In Massachusetts, we are all the same, immigrants or not immigrants.” 

Hicham particularly appreciated being there with IINE—fellow classmates, members of the Education team, and IINE leadership. “I even got a picture with the big man!” he said with a smile, referring to President & CEO Jeffrey Thielman. “I want to thank IINE for this opportunity. It was not just a celebration; it was something very special.” 

Giving Testimony

MIRA provided participants with talking points about key immigration legislation being debated, and after the rally, they spread out to find the representatives from their districts. Among them were IINE volunteers who had been learning about issues specifically facing refugees through monthly meetings and an email newsletter.  

Hicham and his classmates joined Caroline and other members of IINE’s Education team on their office trips, helping to put some real faces to the populations whose safety was at the heart of the bills in discussion. Hicham also had the chance to record spoken testimony with a videographer from MIRA’s team. For Hicham, it was a meaningful opportunity to share his story. 

Honorable Representative, thank you for allowing me to address you today. 

My name is Hicham, and I stand before you as a proud resident of Massachusetts, a professional working to build a future in real estate and community development, and a husband whose life changed the day he met the woman who would become his wife. 

My journey to the United States began with love. I married my wife, and it was through our marriage that I came to this country. Leaving my home, my family, and everything familiar was not an easy decision, but love gives you courage. It gives you purpose. It gives you a reason to build a new life from the ground up. 

When I arrived in Massachusetts, I arrived not as someone looking for a shortcut, but as someone ready to work, to contribute, and to honor the commitment I made both to my wife and to this Commonwealth. Together, we built our life step by step. She supported me as I learned the systems, pursued my education, and worked toward my professional goals. Our relationship is a partnership built on respect, patience, and shared dreams. 

It is because of her that I stand here today. Her belief in me has been my foundation. Our story is a reminder that behind every resident of this state whether born here or newly arrived there is a human story, a family, a set of hopes that drive them forward. 

Massachusetts is a place where people can build a future through hard work and opportunity. It is a place where families like mine can grow, contribute, and feel at home. My commitment to this state is rooted not only in my professional ambitions, but in the life my wife and I are building together: a life grounded in love, responsibility, and the desire to give back. 

At the International Institute of New England, I have had the privilege of studying alongside classmates who inspire me every day. We come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, yet we share the same determination to learn, to grow, and to build a better future here in Massachusetts. My colleagues are hardworking, respectful, and committed to improving their English so they can contribute to their communities and support their families. In our classroom, we encourage one another, we celebrate each other’s progress, and we prove that when people are given opportunity and education, they rise. Their resilience reminds me that the strength of this Commonwealth comes from the diversity and dedication of its people. 

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the International Institute of New England for the support, guidance, and opportunity they have given us. IINE is more than a school, it is a community that welcomes people from every corner of the world and helps them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. The teachers, staff, volunteers show patience and professionalism. 

Thank you for your time, your service, and your dedication to the people of this Commonwealth. 

Now that he has had the experience of testifying, Hicham says this is only the beginning. “I will do it again!” he says, “and other events with IINE—I am on it!” 

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Les réfugiés et les immigrants entreprennent des voyages longs et difficiles pour échapper à la violence et reconstruire leur vie aux États-Unis. Vous pouvez leur apporter l'aide dont ils ont besoin.