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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Contact:
Eva A. Millona, MIRA Acting Executive Director: (617) 350-5480 ext 211; cell # 508-615-7684
Shuya Ohno, MIRA Director of Communications: cell # (617) 821-8990
Boston, MA - On Wednesday, July 09, 2008, Governor Deval L. Patrick signed the New Americans Agenda Executive Order. The Order launches an intensive statewide project focused on how to better integrate Massachusetts immigrant and refugee populations into the civic and economic life of the Commonwealth. Today, July 10th, at 1:00pm at Fanueil Hal, the Governor will address new Americans at a naturalization ceremony. MIRA will be conducting a voter registration drive outside the event to promote civic engagement as a vital component of American democracy. The following is a statement by Eva A. Millona, Acting Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition:
“We applaud the administration for the launch of the New Americans Initiative. By signing the Executive Order, Governor Patrick has demonstrated his ongoing commitment to increased opportunity and higher civic engagement for all residents of the Commonwealth.”
“This order is the beginning of a crucial statewide integration project. Under the executive order, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Refugees and Immigrants, in partnership with MIRA and the MA Office for Refugees and Immigrants, will hold a series of community meetings across the state to learn from immigrant community members and to assess the challenges of integration for both immigrants and government. These meetings will provide the foundation for a set of policy recommendations presented to the Governor at the close of the project.”
“We, in Massachusetts today, are facing a variety of economic and labor challenges. The talent that already exists, within the newcomers who have chosen to make their homes here, must be nurtured with investment. Immigrants represent 14% of population of Massachusetts and 17% of its workforce. More and more of these immigrants are becoming citizens. It is the interest of Massachusetts’ economic and political future to ensure that these individuals flourish and continue to contribute to the Commonwealth’s growth and productivity. We must find opportunities to grow and expand together. By working together, we can help make MA the best state in the Union to live in, to work in, to grow up in, to grow old in, to raise our families in, and to leave to our children.”
“With the failure of immigration reform at a national level it is ever more important for state government to craft local solutions to the challenges of integration and civic engagement. By signing this order Governor Patrick is recognizing the importance of capturing the skills and talents of the Commonwealth’s sizeable immigrant population.”
“We look forward to working with local communities, immigrant groups, and state and municipal agencies to come up with creative and functional recommendations on how Massachusetts can best serve immigrant populations and all residents. The goal of this project is to increase the opportunity for meaningful integration, and in turn to enable the Commonwealth to serve all residents in the most inclusive, accessible, and accountable ways possible.”
“The true vision of a “Commonwealth” is one in which all live up to our shared responsibilities, trust one another, help one another, and move forward together. That is what the New American Initiative is all about.”
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