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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260308
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260309
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CREATED:20181212T015507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181212T015507Z
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SUMMARY:International Women's Day
DESCRIPTION:International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social\, economic\, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality. \nLearn more at www.internationalwomensday.com
URL:https://welcomingnh.org/event/international-womens-day-2019-2026-03-08/
LOCATION:NH\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T110000
DTSTAMP:20260424T041219
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SUMMARY:Learning from Maine’s Experience — Join Us March 12 for a Deep Dive with Maine Immigration Leaders at the Welcoming NH March Table Meeting.
DESCRIPTION:Learning from Maine’s Experience — Join Us March 12 for a Deep Dive with Maine Immigration Leaders at the Welcoming NH March Table Meeting.\n\nImmigration and Immigrant‑rights work in New England is entering a critical moment. As federal immigration enforcement tactics evolve\, so too must our collective understanding and strategy. In late January 2026\, a surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Maine — widely referred to internally and in reporting as “Operation Catch of the Day” — sparked fear\, confusion\, and urgent community response across the state. \nYou’ll hear firsthand from two of Maine’s leading immigrant advocacy experts at the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition. \n\nRuben Torres\, Advocacy and Policy Manager\nHunter Cropsey\, Senior Program and Community Engagement Manager\n\nThese experts will help New Hampshire advocates\, organizers\, legal‑service providers\, and community partners unpack what happened\, what it means for immigrant communities\, and how similar pressures could emerge here. \nTheir experience during Maine’s enforcement surge — including data analysis\, hotline response coordination\, policy advocacy\, and community support — offers powerful insights for all who work at the intersection of immigration and community protection. You’ll walk away with actionable context for your work\, for policy\, communications\, rapid response\, and coalition building here in New Hampshire. \n\nWhat Happened in Maine: “Operation Catch of the Day”\nIn late January 2026\, the Department of Homeland Security deployed increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Maine under an initiative widely described (though not formally confirmed with that name in official public documents) as Operation Catch of the Day. Press reports noted that ICE began operations across multiple communities\, especially Portland and Lewiston\, resulting in over 200 detentions in a matter of days. \nFederal officials claimed the operation targeted individuals with serious criminal convictions\, but court records and legal analyses showed that many people detained were those with pending immigration issues or with minimal criminal histories — raising significant concerns among immigrant‑rights advocates. \nThe surge triggered widespread community fear: immigrant families avoided leaving homes for work or school\, and local businesses reported dramatic drop‑offs in customers. Protests erupted in cities like Portland\, with hundreds rallying against the enforcement activities\, and several demonstrators were arrested for disorderly conduct during those protests. \nWithin about one week\, Mainers learned that federal authorities would end the enhanced enforcement surge\, a decision publicly announced by U.S. Senator Susan Collins after conversations with the Department of Homeland Security. However\, regular immigration enforcement was expected to continue\, and advocates warned the impact on community trust and stability would endure. \n\nInsights from Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition\nThe Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) is a statewide network of 100+ organizations committed to improving the legal\, social\, and economic conditions of immigrant communities across Maine. Founded in 2005 by the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project and initially supported by the Maine People’s Resource Center\, MIRC supports inclusion\, policy reform\, community outreach\, and collaborative services statewide. \nIn the days following the surge\, MIRC produced data reports documenting trends in ICE apprehensions\, noting that Maine had seen escalating enforcement between 2023 and 2025 and that the January operation significantly increased calls to their immigration resource hotline — sometimes more than 1\,000 calls per day from people concerned about ICE presence\, legal needs\, or basic support. \nMIRC’s work during this period highlighted how enforcement operations can intensify fear\, disrupt livelihoods\, and strain community resources long after headlines fade — all important considerations for advocates building support networks in neighboring states. \nFounded by the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in 2005 and initially sponsored by Maine People’s Resource Center (MPRC)\, the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) has grown into a full-fledged non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of legal\, social\, and economic outcomes for immigrants in the state of Maine. What began as a small but mighty coalition of 20 members is now a unique and diverse network of over 100 organizations with the same goal: to foster immigrant inclusion and integration through both support programs and policies. \nMember organizations\, a majority of which are led by people of color\, work hand in hand with each other as well as local and state legislature to represent diverse ethnic communities across our state. Policy reform\, information sharing\,  collaboration with partners\, community outreach\, and education are just a few of the ways in which we strive to strengthen Maine and combat the most pressing issues facing our immigrant population. MIRC based in Portland operates statewide\, with activities concentrated in Cumberland\, Androscoggin\, York\, Kennebec\, and Washington counties. The specific cities where there are concentrated services are: Greater Portland\, Lewiston\, Auburn\, Bath\, Brunswick\, Freeport Augusta\, Bangor\, Milbridge\,  Old Orchard Beach\, Biddeford\, Saco\, and Sanford. \n\nMeet the Speakers\nRuben Luna Torres joined the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) in October 2022 as a passionate advocate for immigrant rights and community empowerment. In his role\, he collaborates with community partners across Maine to develop MIRC’s policy priorities. Torres often works with government officials in Augusta and city halls throughout the state. Torres’ advocacy efforts also include promoting the organization through both traditional and social media channels. \nBefore joining MIRC\, Torres worked in the finance sector after graduating from the University of Maine Orono with a Master’s in Global Policy and a Bachelor’s in International Affairs\, minoring in Legal Studies. During this time\, he expanded his knowledge of international finance while studying at Carlos III University in Madrid\, where he traveled throughout Europe. \nOriginally from California\, Torres is deeply committed to inclusivity and community building. He strives to amplify the voices of marginalized communities\, fostering dialogue and collaboration to create a more equitable society. In his free time\, he enjoys cooking with local products\, discovering new places\, and watching football! \nHunter Cropsey (he/him) joined the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) in the Summer of 2024 as the Senior Program and Community Engagement Manager. In this role\, Hunter engages our coalition members to support their development. Acting as a project manager\, resource navigator\, consultant\, and all-around “extra pair of hands\,” he is committed to cultivating a resilient community of organizations serving immigrants in Maine.  Hunter brings a wide array of experience from for-profit\, nonprofit\, and public organizations–with a particular focus on organizational “start-ups.” Prior to joining MIRC\, Hunter was the first staffer at the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial\, Indigenous\, and Tribal Populations (Permanent Commission)\, a new independent State agency in Maine tasked with advising all three branches of government on disparities experienced by historically marginalized communities. Serving as the Acting Operations Director he helped establish core structural\, financial\, and administrative systems. Hunter also brings a background in political organizing and community engagement\, as well as supply chain management. Hunter is originally from Western Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Public Policy\, Planning\, and Management from the Muskie School at the University of Southern Maine. \n\nWhy This Matters for New Hampshire\nThe Maine enforcement surge is a cautionary tale for New England advocates: \n\nUnexpected enforcement spikes can strain community resources and legal service capacity.\nInformation networks and hotlines matter when people need accurate answers quickly.\nPolicy engagement at multiple levels — local\, state\, federal — can shape how enforcement unfolds and how communities respond.\n\nAs immigration policy continues to develop through 2026\, building regional connections\, shared strategies\, and preparedness is essential. \n\nDon’t Miss This Conversation\nPlease join us March 12th from 9 AM–11 AM via Zoom: \n Learn from Maine’s real‑time experience.\n Strengthen cross‑state ties among service providers\, advocates\, and organizers.\n Gain actionable insights for policy\, communications\, legal support\, and community engagement. \nAt our Bi-monthly table meetings\, we gather virtually to strengthen relationships across New Hampshire’s immigrant-support ecosystem and learn from colleagues navigating rapid policy shifts in our region. \nWhat to Expect: \n\nRelationship-Building Time: We will begin with structured networking exercises designed to deepen connections and spark collaboration.\nExpert Briefing: Hear directly from informational speakers\, professionals in the immigration field.  This month it will be MIRC leaders about Maine’s recent ICE enforcement surge and what it means for advocacy\, rapid response\, and policy strategy in 2026 — with focused discussion on implications for New Hampshire.\nMember Updates: After the presentation\, we’ll open the floor for updates from participants.\n Please drop your updates in the Zoom chat early in the meeting. Some attendees may need to leave before the end\, and if discussion runs long\, we want to ensure your work is lifted up.\n\n\nAbout the Welcoming NH Table\nThe Welcoming NH Table is a convening space for organizations\, service providers\, advocates\, and community leaders committed to immigrant and refugee inclusion in New Hampshire. \nWe meet bi-monthly to: \n\nShare updates on immigration policy and community impacts\nExchange resources and best practices\nIdentify opportunities for collaboration\nStrengthen statewide networks of support\n\nOur shared goal is simple and urgent: to make New Hampshire more welcoming for everyone\, with specific attention to immigrants and refugees. \nBeyond these meetings\, Welcoming NH maintains a website\, social media presence\, and a quarterly newsletter to keep individuals and organizations informed and connected. \n\nIf you are not yet on the Welcoming NH Table mailing list and would like to join us on March 12 — or be added for future updates — please email: \nWelcomingNH@miracoalition.org \nWe hope you will join us for this important conversation and community-building space\, and if there are others in your organizations or that you work with that would benefit from attending please let them know\, or connect them to us. \n\n~*~
URL:https://welcomingnh.org/event/learning-from-maines-experience-join-us-march-12-for-a-deep-dive-with-maine-immigration-leaders-at-the-welcoming-nh-march-table-meeting/
LOCATION:Via Zoom\, NH\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ORGANIZER;CN="Welcoming New Hampshire":MAILTO:WelcomingNH@miracoalition.org
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LAST-MODIFIED:20250318T022301Z
UID:9915-1773705600-1773705600@welcomingnh.org
SUMMARY:St. Patrick's Day
DESCRIPTION:Observed in Ireland and by people of Irish descent worldwide\, this day honors Saint Patrick\, the patron saint of Ireland. Celebrations often include parades\, wearing green attire\, and cultural festivities.
URL:https://welcomingnh.org/event/st-patricks-day-2/
LOCATION:NH
CATEGORIES:General,Holiday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260331
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTSTAMP:20260424T041219
CREATED:20181212T042454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181212T042454Z
UID:7571-1774915200-1775001599@welcomingnh.org
SUMMARY:César Chávez Day
DESCRIPTION:César Chávez Day is observed in the United States on March 31 each year. It celebrates the birthday of César Estrada Chávez and it serves as a tribute to his commitment to social justice and respect for human dignity. \nLearn more about César Chávez at https://chavezfoundation.org
URL:https://welcomingnh.org/event/cesar-chavez-day-2026-03-31/
LOCATION:NH\, United States
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