DATE: February 20, 2008
Christine Gregoire established the New Americans Policy Council in a signing ceremony at St. James on Wednesday, February 20. This is part one of a two part policy on integrating immigrants more effectively into Washington state communities. The Washington State New Americans Policy Council will develop recommendations on effective integration methods. Council members will include representatives from state agencies, the Refugees Advisory Council, business and labor, and community and nonprofit organizations, appointed by the governor. They are expected to present their findings to the governor by December 1, 2008.
"We need to take a more systematic approach to helping immigrants succeed and become citizens,? Gov. Gregoire said.
Immigrant Integration is a shared process in which both immigrants and the communities receiving them are effected. Migration Policy Institute (MPI) works to evaluate the interactive effects of integration, focusing on labor market access, social mobility, and civic participation and social cohesion.