AUGUSTA - The Legislature's State and Local Government Committee voted Tuesday in support of a measure sponsored by Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, which would establish the Office of New Americans (ONA) within Maine State Government.
The bill would create a two-person office housed within the Governor's Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future, that would be tasked with improving the economic and civic integration of immigrants into the states workforce, enhancing the vibrancy of Maine's communities and building a strong and inclusive economy.
"This bill is the result of hundreds of hours of work from folks in the Governor's Office, business groups and members of Maine's immigrant communities," said Dhalac. "I am incredibly grateful to all those who took the time to collaborate on this proposal, which I believe will usher in a new era of opportunity for those born in Maine and for those who chose to make this state their home."
The ONA would focus on strengthening English-language acquisition opportunities for New Mainers, building workforce pathways and support for entrepreneurs and improving coordination of organizations and entities that support immigrants. The office would also track federal immigration policy and support collaboration with Maine's congressional delegation on policies that benefit the state. Lastly, the ONA would improve Maine's data collection regarding the states immigrant populations.
An advisory council would oversee the office. It would be made up of individuals and organizations representing immigrant communities, businesses including those with experience providing apprenticeships educational institutions and municipal governments.
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Dhalac is serving her first term in the Maine House and serves on the State and Local Government Committee. After fleeing civil war in Somalia, she became the first Somali-American mayor in the country.