Greylock Together forms team to support immigrants.

by Dawn Olcott

Editor’s Note: Since this was written, we have learned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids in the Berkshires, taking 15 people into custody. The immigrant community is fearful, parents have taken children out of school, and some local businesses are struggling to stay open because of staff losses.

Greylock Together — Indivisible group fighting injustice for immigrant families in the Berkshires

In mid-February, Greylock Together (GT) hosted Javier Luego-Garrido from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts, who gave a presentation on what it means to be an immigrant in our state. GT members were, as one person put it, “just blown away” when learning about the needs and injustices documented and undocumented immigrants experience in the U.S. Following the meeting, the GT Immigrant Support Action Team (Action Team) was formed to address the injustices many immigrants face. 

To learn more and identify the best way to help families, the Action Team is working with Fernando Leon, a community organizer who collaborates with multiple groups, such as Berkshire Interfaith Organizing, Roots & Dreams and Mustard Seeds, the Massachusetts Communities Action Network, Berkshire Alliance to Support the Immigrant Community, and the ACLU. 

What it means to be an immigrant in rural Massachusetts

GT is in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, serving towns north of Pittsfield. The region is predominantly rural, with no public transportation. Due to the rural nature of the Berkshires, immigrants’ difficulties and needs differ from those in more populated regions. They learned that two key needs are 1) building capacity to serve new arrivals, and 2) educating the broader community to foster a welcoming environment. At the core is a shift in thinking, from assimilation to integration that retains cultural pride.

Population growth — including recent immigrant arrivals — has placed added pressure on limited rural resources such as housing, education, and human services. This affects all residents and highlights the need for expanded infrastructure and inclusive planning. 

Many immigrants experience long-term insecurity due to limited pathways to legal status. 

The alarming news of arrests and deportations nationwide has created fear and anxiety among immigrant families and students in the area. College students are afraid to leave the country for spring break. Immigrant families are afraid of being deported, and some hesitate to leave home, even for health care, buying groceries, and sending kids to school. Some are not going out at night, and some are choosing to return to their home countries because they don’t want to live in fear. The arrests are normalizing incarceration over civil offenses, including documentation problems. People who are here legally under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are under constant threat of deportation.

Creating a supportive environment 

The Action Team is exploring how to meet immigrants’ practical needs while creating a supportive environment. Much has been done, including Know Your Rights Training and providing multilingual services, but more is needed. Importantly, this is not just a matter of language — it is a multicultural population with diverse identities, strengths, and lived experiences.

The First Congregational Church in Williamstown has an emergency fund for immigrant needs, but it is not enough. Schools have funding for multilingual services for parents but need more staff. The Pittsfield school district, for example, has 5,000 students and serves 550 multilingual families. English as a second language class enrollment has increased. As the number of newcomer students grows, schools must move beyond basic accommodations and toward asset-based approaches that honor and build on each student’s background. 

When immigrants are supported and empowered, they thrive and make significant contributions to society. Immigrants constitute 18% of the state’s population and play a crucial role in the economy. Notably, 23% of all self-employed residents are immigrants, generating $2.3 billion in business income. Furthermore, immigrants are instrumental in key industries, making up 27% of STEM workers and 16% of nurses. These figures underscore the importance of providing robust support systems that recognize and build upon the strengths of immigrant populations, enabling them to achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to our communities.

The Action Team has highlighted specific needs:

• More multilingual health care and mental health services, including trauma-informed care.
• Multilingual materials and staff to help with getting a driver’s license, as well as local sponsors. Many immigrants not only lack skills in written and spoken English but also lack literacy skills in their home language. 
• Language support in schools, including information on rights and assistance with paperwork. 

What’s next?

GT and the Action Team seek larger solutions and are exploring these:

• Adopt a Williamstown sanctuary ordinance limiting local police cooperation with ICE.
• Partner with local immigrant assistance organizations to develop services and increase understanding and acceptance of a community’s immigrant neighbors.

Beginning steps that other local groups can take

Ways allies can support immigrants in their communities:

• Learn about the population demographics in your area and how they have changed.
• Look into how local school systems are adapting to an influx of students and how they communicate with parents.
• Find out what organizations are already serving immigrant populations, interview them about unmet needs, and learn what would be helpful support. 
• Ask if local organizations or schools can identify a member of an immigrant community who can serve as a cultural liaison to help your group understand their needs and what would help them.

To learn more about Greylock Together, visit their website.

Dawn Olcott is a blog writer for Indivisible Mass Coalition, a member of Indivisible Acton Area, and a member of Concord Indivisible.