WORCESTER—Local leaders convene Sunday, Oct. 19, for a Community Conversation at the Guild of St. Agnes (248 Mill St.) from 10-11:30 a.m., to address civic rights, federal agency interactions and community concerns. This “Coffee and Conversations” event is hosted by Congressman Jim McGovern, State Senator Kennedy and District 5 City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj.
Organizers say staff will be available to assist residents with questions or issues involving federal agencies. In materials promoting the event, the hosts frame it as an opportunity to “have a good discussion … talk about the resources my team can provide, and meet each other as friends and neighbors in community.”
The gathering follows months of local debate over immigration enforcement and municipal policies.
McGovern has voiced concern over visa policy changes affecting international students in his district. In April 2025, he sent a letter to the Departments of State and Homeland Security demanding explanations for what he described as sudden visa revocations, saying such actions were “unconstitutional, unconscionable and unprecedented.” He also criticized ICE raids and cited due process violations in remarks calling recent actions “the stuff you would expect to see in Russia, China or North Korea” in an interview with WCVB.
In Worcester, recent city council activity has included passing a resolution opposing 287(g) agreements, which would allow local law enforcement to assist ICE under federal authority—a move reflecting local resistance to expanded cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The upcoming event offers residents a chance to raise questions directly to federal, state, and city lawmakers amid these tensions.
Residents are asked to RSVP for this event.
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