Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid had an exciting, difficult, and deeply mutual second year continuing our work to welcome families coming to the District. There have been many challenges, such as the city’s April decision to deny shelter to new migrant families. This move by the city influenced our strategic shift from a rapid response approach to focus on long-term resettlement and the accompanying barriers -- wage theft, housing, resettlement, health, and asylum applications.

Why did we choose a wood thrush for our new logo?

The wood thrush is DC’s official bird! They also happen to be migratory!

In January, DC immigrants and immigrant justice organizers came together to create a shared platform of legislative and budget priorities that benefit DC’s immigrant communities — thus the Immigrant Justice Platform (IJP) was born! Over the course of the spring we advocated together for the platform. We celebrated many victories and even expanded the platform to include more legislative and budget goals!

On Tuesday, July 11th, the DC Council was to vote on the Limited Purpose Credential Clarification Emergency Amendment Act, introduced by Councilmember Allen. This bill would have allowed migrants who were bused to the District to obtain DC IDs and driver’s licenses. Unfortunately, Mayor Bowser and the Dept of Human Services blocked the bill by claiming a ludicrous fiscal impact.

Recently arrived migrants and advocates gathered outside the Wilson Building on July 7th to demand that Mayor Bowser provide shelter to migrant families sleeping on the streets and in cars in DC.

We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to advocate for changes to Limited Purpose Credential (LPC) Law in DC to make LPCs more accessible to the communities it was designed to serve and to other communities who will benefit from them.

One year after MSMAN greeted our first bus from Texas, we continue to support many migrants who have chosen to make the DC area their home, as they face federal and local barriers to resettlement. Our work has expanded since April 2022 to include resettlement support for families trying to move out of DC shelters, monthly asylum clinics, prenatal support, wage theft clinics, policy, and more!