The publication is reproduced in full below:
NATIONAL OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS ACT
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HON. GRACE MENG
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, immigrants make up the fabric of our nation. America has always been stronger when we embrace and assist immigrants in their transition as they contribute to our communities, economy, and culture.
In order to ensure a welcoming and inclusive system for new Americans, I am introducing the National Office of New Americans Act. This bill would create an office within the Executive Office of the President to assist and support new immigrants and refugees in employment attainment, language access, and civic engagement. Furthermore, it would also oversee the coordination of efforts by federal, state, and local governments to support integration efforts, such as helping to attain citizenship.
Madam Speaker, this issue is also of personal importance because when I was a member of the New York State Assembly, I had envisioned a statewide office to assist new immigrants with overcoming these challenges. Now, I am expanding that vision to a national office and seeking to fix the systemic challenges immigrants and refugees must face.
Immigrants make indelible contributions to our nation, and it is long past time that we create an entity in the Executive Office of the President that ensures our country is welcoming and helpful toward those who come to our shores. While we aspire to be a beacon of hope and opportunity, we must match word with deed.
Madam Speaker, we cannot allow immigrants to be treated as an afterthought; we must ensure their path to becoming ``New Americans'' is clear and well resourced. After the atrocious last four years of an administration that demonized, criminalized, and dehumanized immigrants and refugees at every turn, my bill would ensure a welcoming and inclusive system for all new Americans. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation as we look to building a more prosperous country that recognizes the humanity and dignity of all immigrants and refugees.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 17
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