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PRESS STATEMENT: Governor Patrick’s Budget Recognizes Urgency of Citizenship for New Americans

Source: MIRA
Author: Ali Noorani
Date: January 23, 2008
1/23/2008 4:34 pm - Boston, MA – Governor Patrick’s Budget Recommendation for FY 2009 released today includes increased funding for the Citizenship for New Americans Program (4003-0122). The budget line increase from $500,000 during the previous administration, to $1,250,000, is a welcome recognition of the urgent need for this program, and a positive step toward meeting the need for the program, originally estimated at $2 million dollars. The following is a statement by Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA).

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2008

Contact:

Ali Noorani, Executive Director, MIRA Coalition: (617) 835-1402

Shuya Ohno, Communications, MIRA Coalition: (617) 821-8990

 

Governor Patrick’s Budget Recognizes Urgency of Citizenship for New Americans 

Boston, MA – Governor Patrick’s Budget Recommendation for FY 2009 released today includes increased funding for the Citizenship for New Americans Program (4003-0122). The budget line increase from $500,000 during the previous administration, to $1,250,000, is a welcome recognition of the urgent need for this program, and a positive step toward meeting the need for the program, originally estimated at $2 million dollars. The following is a statement by Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA).

“Today the Patrick administration’s FY09 budget invested in the future of Massachusetts.  Governor Patrick’s belief that the immigrants of today are the Massachusetts families of tomorrow, builds a workforce, a tax base and an electorate that will keep the Commonwealth competitive for generations to come.

As industries, employers, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts struggle with the adverse consequences of a dwindling working age population, like contending with decreased state revenues and potentially losing a Representative in Congress, the need for new Americans in Massachusetts continues to grow.  

In cities and towns across Massachusetts, immigrant families are working hard, learning the language, and integrating into the civic and communal life of the Commonwealth. Yet the journey to citizenship is fraught with many obstacles.

Citizenship for New Americans is a proven program that fosters the transition of immigrants to full participation in the civic and economic life of the Commonwealth as proud new American citizens. Immigrant communities across Massachusetts welcome the Governor’s recognition of the urgent need to support this program.” ###

MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In partnership with its members, MIRA advances this mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.
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