Welcome to the Maryland Council for New Americans

 

 

We thank you for your patience as we continue to work on our new website. Our goal is to provide you with the best and most up to date information about our Council and other events around Maryland.

 

Background

A majority of Maryland’s workforce growth since 2000 has been from immigrants. Although Maryland’s immigrant population provides vital contributions to our economy, indicators show that segments of this workforce are not reaching their full potential. For example, 40 percent of recent immigrants from Africa and Latin America with college degrees work in unskilled occupations. Leading causes are: limited English proficiency, lack of job training and obstacles transferring credentials.

Studies show that our immigrant demographic is very unique among American states: it is more highly educated than the native population, it has a higher income than in most states, and it is highly diverse (almost equal parts Latino, African, Asian and European). This can be a great strength in our global economy if the state shows the proper leadership.

Citizenship assistance, job training and English language proficiency are proven ways that families can learn more, earn more, and contribute more to Maryland. This is a relatively small and smart investment for a lifetime of return.

 

Establishing the Council

The Maryland Council for New Americans was recently established by Executive Order 01.01.2008.18 on December 3, 2008 to assist the Governor and State agencies to maximize immigrant integration in Maryland.

 

The Council is charged with reviewing and recommending new policies and practices to expedite immigrant integration into the economic and civic life of the State and will prepare a comprehensive report with recommendations for the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, due nine months from the signing of the Executive Order.

 

The objective of the Maryland Council for New Americans is to help Marylanders be as American as can be – learning English, becoming a citizen, and getting a better job. Recommendations will come from the four Working Groups of the Council.