WASHINGTON, D.C. — City officials and local business leaders focused on immigrant integration and economic contributions at a roundtable today.
In December the city partnered with New American Workforce, a National Immigration Forum program through which nearly 300 businesses in eight U.S. cities assist their eligible immigrant employees with the citizenship process at the worksite. With citizenship, employees can become more valuable workers and full participants in the workplace, community and economy.
The following are quotes from speakers at today’s roundtable:
Kimberly Allen-Mills, Director of Human Resources, The Willard InterContinental Hotel:
“We’re proud of our commitment to diversity, inclusion and responsible business. New American Workforce has been an invaluable and natural partnership to us in supporting our employees. We have seen a lot more employees this year wanting to take the next step to become citizens, which affects their investment and ability to do their best.”
Odie Donald, Director, Department of Employment Services, District of Columbia:
“It’s important to ensure that a path to citizenship is clear, easy, unrestricted and a benefit not only for those who are seeking it but businesses as well. Getting people on a path to citizenship is not only the right moral thing to do; it’s good business.”
Beverly Jackson, Director of Human Resources, Riderwood, an Erickson Living community:
“We pride ourselves in giving a lot to our residents. We have a senior population, and they put their trust in us. We want to make sure not only that we provide a good service to them but that the employees we bring feel our mission and values and are interested in providing that service. Developing our staff and giving them the citizenship opportunity is good business, and it’s important for us to ensure our employees can be all they can be in this environment.”
Ali Noorani, Executive Director, National Immigration Forum:
“When employers help their immigrant employees become full participants at their workplaces and in their communities, American workers benefit too. D.C. business leaders and city officials know that investing in new Americans by providing citizenship assistance is a win-win.”