Gov. Gregoire creates Washington�s New Americans Policy Council

For Immediate Release: February 20, 2008

SEATTLE � Gov. Chris Gregoire today created Washington�s New Americans Policy Council and asked it to develop recommendations for how the state can help legal permanent residents become naturalized citizens so they can contribute to the state�s economic vitality.

�The United States and especially Washington have flourished through the contributions of people who come to our nation with their skills and ideas,� Gregoire said. �We need to take a more systematic approach to helping them succeed and become citizens.�

At the signing ceremony at St. James Church in Seattle, Gregoire noted that Washington has 135,000 legal permanent residents currently eligible to be naturalized as U.S. citizens. She signed an executive order establishing the council and asking it to make initial recommendations to her in at least five areas by Dec. 1, 2008. Those recommendations will be in the following areas:

• Strategies to help legal permanent residents become naturalized;


• Acquisition of English language skills integral to the process of becoming a citizen;


• Ways to recognize or transfer the skills, certifications and professional credentials people earn in other countries into Washington�s economy;


• Strategies to support the success of naturalization, English language acquisition, and recognition or transference of certifications and professional credentials; and


• Facilitation of public-private partnerships for the integration of people into the fabric of the state, creating a more vibrant, prosperous and vital society.

The governor will appoint 12 to 15 members to the council, including representatives from state agencies, the Refugees Advisory Council, business and labor, and community and nonprofit organizations.

�Washington has profited by generations of newcomers,� said Pramila Jayapal, executive director of Hate Free Zone, which played a major role in the effort to create the council. �Our American values should be reflected in our policies and programs on immigrants. When immigrants learn English, become citizens, play by the rules, pay taxes and contribute to our economy, we all prosper.�

Gregoire recognized community leaders for their work to help establish the council, including those with Hate Free Zone. The governor also thanked St. James for hosting the ceremony and praised its community efforts.