[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E73-E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            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.

[[Page E74]]

  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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