Wu Announces Millions in New Funding for Immigrant Services

Public-private partnership to provide legal aid, mental health support, and other resources for immigrant communities in Boston.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced a new public-private partnership and over $4.4 million in funding to support a variety of efforts for immigrant families in the city, including legal services, mental health support, language learning, and emergency preparedness. The funding comes from three major philanthropic organizations as well as the city's own budget.

Why it matters

The announcement is seen as a direct response to the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies, which caused significant disruption and fear within immigrant communities in Boston. The new initiatives aim to strengthen the 'social infrastructure' and provide critical resources to protect and support the city's immigrant residents.

The details

The $3.1 million public-private partnership involves the Boston Foundation, Barr Foundation, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay. The city is also committing over $1.3 million in grant funding through the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Advancement. The funding will support legal services for the naturalization process, mental health services, delivery of basic necessities, language learning, 'know your rights' courses, and emergency preparedness programs.

  • The announcement was made on March 10, 2026 inside Boston City Hall.
  • Last month, Mayor Wu signed an executive order barring federal immigration enforcement on city property and directing police to investigate potential crimes by federal agents.

The players

Michelle Wu

The Mayor of Boston who announced the new funding and initiatives to support the city's immigrant communities.

Ruthzee Louijeune

A Boston City Councilor who helped marshal resources and strengthen the 'social infrastructure' to protect immigrant residents.

Lee Pelton

The President of the Boston Foundation, one of the philanthropic organizations committing over $3 million to the partnership.

Marty Martinez

The President of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, another partner organization in the funding initiative.

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What they’re saying

“Whether your family has been here for generations or you are a new resident in our city, we will not let anyone storm into Boston and disrupt our community.”

— Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston (boston.com)

“Vigilance requires resources, and in this moment, in order for us to be ready, in order for us to protect our residents, we have to have the resources to do that.”

— Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Councilor (boston.com)

“There is absolutely no reason why someone should be dying from a toothache. The harm of this administration knows no bounds.”

— Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Councilor (boston.com)

What’s next

The city plans to continue working with the philanthropic partners to roll out the new immigrant support programs and services in the coming months.

The takeaway

This initiative demonstrates Boston's commitment to protecting and empowering its immigrant communities in the face of hostile federal policies, providing critical legal, social, and emergency resources to ensure the wellbeing and integration of new residents.