Our Mission
The Falmouth Immigrant Rights Coalition (FIRC) is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting and empowering immigrants across Falmouth and Upper Cape Cod.
Through collaboration with community partners, we provide accessible education on legal rights, family and business preparedness, and critical legal resources.
FIRC works alongside immigrants and allies to foster informed, safe, and resilient communities by distributing multilingual resources, strengthening local networks, and advocating for dignity, justice, and inclusion for all.
Our Mission
Leadership
Steering Committee
Chair
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Sandy Faiman-Silva
Debra Kattler
Jennifer Owens
Rosemary Carey
JoAnn Fishbein
Judy Handley
Judi Hirshfield-Bartek
John Mosca
Peter Waasdorp
Committee Chairs
Legislative Committee
Events Committee
Media Committee
LUCE Rapid Response Team
Immigrant Family Support Committee
Literature Distribution / Outreach
Judi Hirshfield-Bartek
Judy Handley
John Mosca
Debra Kattler
Jennifer Owens
Milene Chioatto
JoAnn Fishbein
Janet Simons-Folger
Sandy Faiman-Silva
Debra Kattler
Jennifer Owens
get Involved
Events Committee
We organize a variety of community-focused activities, including film viewings, expert panels, weekly rallies, and guest speakers. Additionally, we provide essential Community Watch training to keep our neighborhoods informed and safe.
Immigrant Support /
Mutual Aid
Rooted in the principles of mutual aid, FIRC facilitates direct community support through shared resources and collective care. Volunteers provide transportation, food assistance, and linguistic support, while helping neighbors navigate legal and financial hurdles. Join us in creating a network of support where everyone is empowered to both contribute and receive help.
Legislative Committee
We track legislation impacting the immigrant community and take our advocacy directly to the State House and Town Hall. From giving testimony and making phone calls to participating in rallies, we ensure our voices are heard. We also mobilize our membership to contact legislators, garnering the support needed to sponsor and pass inclusive legislation.
Literature Distribution / Outreach
FIRC members engage with the community by staffing a FIRC Literature Table at a local community event. We share Know Your Rights materials, answer questions, and connect people with resources in four languages that support and empower immigrant neighbors.
LUCE Rapid Response
Through the LUCE community defense hotline, ICE activity and arrests are tracked as they happen. We invite local volunteers to join us as trained responders. In this role, you will help verify reports of on-the-ground activity to ensure those impacted have the accurate information and support they deserve.
Please save the LUCE Hotline in your phone's contacts and call whenever you see ICE activity: (617) 370-5023.
Media Committee
The Media Committee directs FIRC’s communications, including social media management, press outreach, and website oversight. Through our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram & Bluesky), we amplify our mission through Letters to the Editor and strategic storytelling, ensuring policymakers hear our advocacy and the community has multilingual access to vital resources.
Get in Touch
For immigration resources and assistance, please leave us your email address and a member of our team will reach out with trusted resources and next steps. Your information will be kept private and only used to connect you with support.
If you'd like to get involved with FIRC, please leave your email to receive future FIRC updates with information about our committees, activities, and upcoming events.