Helena DaSilva Hughes

New Bedford Immigrants Assistance Center President Helena DaSilva Hughes says citizenship applications have increased over 300 percent in the past two years.

After their harrowing escape last year, six Afghan families are facing new challenges in their new home here in New Bedford.

Helena DaSilva Hughes expects three to five families will arrive in New Bedford, at least to start.

Executive Director, Helena DaSilva Hughes talks about the work of the center, and why it’s more important now than ever before.

Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and Helena DaSilva Hughes of the Immigrants' Assistance Center of New Bedford both shared their thoughts on President Trump's immigration reform plan with Barry Richard on Thursday.

Helena DaSilva Hughes, Executive Director of the Immigrants' Assistance Center of New Bedford, tells WBSM's Barry Richard Congress is "playing with people's lives" in the battle over immigration reform.

Helena DaSilva Hughes, Director of the New Bedford Immigration Center, doesn't expect anything to be done until after the mid-term elections.

The initiative was made possible by a $2,500 donation from Bay State Wind, who donated the same amount to United Way New Bedford for the same effort in the south end.

Helena DaSilva Hughes, Executive Director of the Immigrants Assistance Center in New Bedford, says students are "uneasy" and "frightened" after the Trump administration's decision to rescind Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

New Bedford's Hope Collaborative and one of its member organizations have been recognized by the MetLife Foundation.   The foundation awarded the Immigrants Assistance Center a $15,000 grant to continue helping non-english speaking students and their families overcome language and economic barriers through the "Amigos" program at Roosevelt Middle School.  ...