Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants

⭐Every immigrant story brings strength, talent, and resilience to our communities. To celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, we are honored to share this success story from a refugee served by our provider, the Center for New Americans (CNA), in Western Massachusetts.

👉 Note: ORI programs are provided by community-based organizations across the state. For eligibility and organizations administering the programs, visit: www.mass.gov/info-details/ori-community-partners-directory

🏳️‍🌈 In recognition of Pride Month, ORI celebrates the diversity of the communities we serve, including LGBTQ+ refugees and immigrants.

🌍 Our office seeks to ensure that all individuals have access to resources, opportunities, and support that help communities thrive.



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🌟ORI is now part of the Community Systems Strengthening Workgroup, which is integrated into the structure of Advancing Health Equity in Massachusetts (AHEM), a state initiative committed to eliminating racial, economic, and regional disparities in health outcomes.

🌟Our program coordinator, Gladys Ortiz, together with Eduardo Nettle (Department of Public Health) and Niki Conte (Health Connector), will lead and support AHEM activities across partner communities. Their efforts will focus on strengthening local capacity, aligning agencies and stakeholders, expanding outreach and education, and launching new initiatives to address structural and systemic health disparities.

Learn more about AHEM: www.mass.gov/advancing-health-equity-in-ma

👏We are honored to share that our Executive Director, Cristina Aguilera, has been recognized as a recipient of the ALX100 Awards. The ALX100 Awards honor Latino American leaders who have demonstrated excellence and made significant contributions in their fields and communities across the Commonwealth.

🌟The ceremony was held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and attended by Massachusetts officials, including U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Governor Maura Healey, who delivered a powerful speech highlighting Latino contributions to the state and Cristina's leadership at ORI.

Photos 1 and 2: Governor's Office Photographer

✨ORI was honored to speak at the 2026 Boston Citizenship Day, hosted by Project Citizenship in partnership with the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA), last Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center.

✨Project Citizenship’s trained volunteers assisted approximately 160 individuals and families in completing their U.S. Citizenship applications. MassHealth was also on-site to support applicants. ORI’s team was proud to support this impactful event, represented by Cristina Aguilera (Executive Director), Kierra Ho (Program Coordinator), and Carol Leon (Ombudsperson).

Photos: Gerald Hewes (Courtesy of Project Citizenship)

🎉Honoring every story strengthens our communities. In celebration of Haitian Heritage Month, ORI recognizes the profound impact and rich heritage Haitian immigrants share with Massachusetts.

Photo: Conrad Roy de Pexels/Canva

🌺May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! ORI is excited to recognize the vibrant cultures, deep-rooted histories, and invaluable impact of AANHPI communities throughout Massachusetts.

🌺Throughout May, we pay tribute to the perseverance, strength, and dynamic spirit of AANHPI communities, whose legacy continues to inspire and enhance our collective journey.

✨ ORI had the honor to participate in convening international consular representatives from India, Mexico, and the UK, along with state leaders and Jane Doe Inc., during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

✨The meeting discussed how to strengthen partnerships to ensure everyone knows their rights and has access to resources in Massachusetts to prevent human trafficking and sexual assault, and to support survivors.

Photos: Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Office

✨ORI Executive Director Cristina Aguilera had the honor of participating last week in the panel "Protecting Immigrant Communities: How Massachusetts is Paving the Way" at Harvard Kennedy School.

✨The event was hosted by the Center for Public Leadership (CPL), moderated by CPL Equity Fellow Michelle Fausto, with Fidel Maltez, City Manager of Chelsea, also serving as a panelist.

✨This was an excellent opportunity for ORI to discuss how the Commonwealth has been supporting immigrant communities through its programs and initiatives, while they navigate complex legal and political landscapes.