Alma Cosias Begins Her Day at Massa Viana Law Offices
SOUTHBORO — Alma Cosias arrived at Massa Viana Law Offices around 8:45 a.m., following her routine of dropping her children off at school. Preparing for the day, she brewed a cup of coffee and settled at her desk, listening to electronic dance music while tackling administrative tasks. Currently, she is assisting 32 clients, a number she anticipates will increase as immigration cases continue to rise.
Massachusetts Launches Initiative for Immigrant Legal Aid
Kosias is among 24 attorneys participating in a new $5 million initiative funded by the Massachusetts government to provide free legal aid to immigrants facing removal. The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI), established in late 2025, aims to help immigrants secure legal representation in deportation proceedings. This effort was prompted by federal actions resulting in over 390,000 detentions within its first year.
Addressing the Urgent Need for Legal Representation
“The need for legal services for immigrants is significant,” said Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Alliance (MIRA), which manages the program. “The stakes are incredibly high for many currently in immigration court.” A key challenge stems from the current classification of immigration cases as civil matters, meaning individuals facing removal are not entitled to free legal counsel.
Representation Crisis in Removal Proceedings
As of February, there were 126,724 pending deportation cases involving Massachusetts residents, with less than 52% represented by legal counsel, according to data from the Transaction Records Access Clearinghouse Immigration. In contrast, among eviction cases in New Bedford, 59% have legal representation. Robin Nice, an immigration attorney, emphasized the complexity of navigating the legal system without professional assistance, likening it to asking someone to defend themselves in a murder trial.
Expanding Legal Resources for Immigrants
The program was initiated in response to a surge in detentions, which saw 7,000 immigrants detained in Massachusetts last summer. MIRA entered into a $4.2 million contract with the state’s Office of Refugees and Immigration to operate MACI, employing the first attorneys in December. Governor Maura Healey’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget maintains the program’s funding at $5 million, with Senate President Karen Spilka advocating for an additional $1 million, aiming for a budget of $6 million. MIRA aims to secure $15 million in funding for the next year.
Shortage of Immigration Lawyers in Massachusetts
The state faces a significant shortage of immigration lawyers; only 114 are listed in the American Immigration Lawyers Association directory. Addressing this shortfall is a critical goal of the MACI, as articulated at a recent legislative hearing. Susan Church, the program coordinator at the Office of Refugees and Immigration, noted that this scarcity prompted efforts to recruit attorneys from other states and train lawyers from different fields to work in immigration courts.
Support and Eligibility for Immigrants Seeking Legal Aid
Immigrants in need of assistance can reach out to the Massachusetts Bar Access Initiative hotline at 508-505-4588, where MACI staff assess eligibility. Since December, the hotline has received 6,000 calls, with 697 individuals deemed eligible for services under the MACI framework, although only 461 have been assigned attorneys. Church acknowledged that the program’s capacity is being tested, with a growing demand indicating the need for a waiting list.
