Mayor discusses immigration reform at U.S. Conference of Mayors

Today at the 83rd Annual Conference of Mayors in San Francisco, Mayor Martin J. Walsh attended the Immigration Reform Task Force Meeting, at which he discussed the recommendations of the White House Task Force on New Americans, initiatives of the Department of Homeland Security and welcoming efforts underway in Boston. His remarks, as prepared for delivery, are attached to this email.

Earlier this month, Mayor Walsh joined U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodríguez to sign a letter of agreement to expand a partnership to strengthen citizenship education and awareness efforts. The agreement will remain in effect for three years. Research shows that immigrants who have naturalized have more employment opportunities and higher incomes, and experience lower levels of poverty than non-citizens.

In May 2015, Mayor Walsh, Boston-area immigrants and local business leaders and advocates discussed the economic and moral benefits of President Obama’s executive action on immigration, while calling on Congress to pass legislative reform without delay. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) will help an estimated five million immigrants and children of immigrants stay in the United States, continue contributing to our economy and create American jobs.

In additional to being a strong supporter of President Obama’s Executive Order on Immigration, Mayor Walsh has hosted citizenship and naturalization clinics, among other efforts to help support immigrants in Boston.

To learn more about Boston’s efforts to support the immigrant community, please visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/newbostonians/.