LWV joins calls for National Office and New Deal for New Americans

The League joined letters in support of the New Deal for New Americans and National Office for New Americans Acts. These bills would expand access to citizenship, fund workforce development and English-language learning programs, improve access to justice and due process through immigration legal services, and increase the number of refugees the U.S. resettles. They would also help to build a lasting infrastructure for federal inclusion efforts by establishing a National Office of New Americans to coordinate immigration policymaking. 

The Honorable Grace Meng

U.S. House of Representatives

2206 Rayburn Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Ed Markey

U.S. Senate

255 Dirksen Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Representative Meng and Senator Markey,

On behalf of the National Partnership for New Americans and the 77 undersigned organizations, we write to express our support for your legislation titled the New Deal for New Americans Act. At a moment when the federal government is turning to a new chapter in its approach to immigration policy, this legislation offers practical and proactive measures that would bolster the inclusion of newcomers into American society in a manner that benefits and uplifts everyone. Our organizations and the communities we represent commend your leadership in introducing this legislation and look forward to partnering with you to advance and implement these important policies.

The New Deal for New Americans Act would make America a more inclusive land by expanding access to citizenship, funding workforce development and English-language learning programs, improving access to justice and due process through immigration legal services, and increasing the number of refugees the U.S. resettles while rebuilding the capacity and infrastructure of local communities to welcome refugees. The bill would also help to build a lasting infrastructure for federal inclusion efforts by establishing a National Office of New Americans to coordinate immigration policymaking among federal agencies and lead nationwide integration efforts already under way in dozens of state and local governments.

Over the course of the last several decades, the immigrant population in the U.S. has grown significantly, and America is now home to far more immigrants than any other nation. Today, more than 44 million newcomers contribute daily to the prosperity and diversity of our land. Federal efforts to bolster the inclusion of immigrant communities, like those put forth in the New Deal for New Americans Act, help to strengthen our economy, make our local communities more vibrant and resilient, and ensure that everyone has a chance to thrive and pursue the American Dream. As Congress debates broader changes to American immigration laws, the New Deal for New Americans Act would also help to ensure equitable access to immigration benefits.

As we close a difficult and traumatic chapter in our nation's treatment of immigrants and refugees, the New Deal for New Americans Act represents a bold vision of America that is both new and timeless: one in which immigrants and refugees are embraced rather than alienated, empowered rather than stifled, and championed rather than maligned. We applaud your leadership in introducing this important and timely legislation.

Sincerely,

National Partnership for New Americans

For full list of signatories see attached letter