News
Integration an essential task
After two years of collaboration and initiatives among 20 US government agencies, the Task Force on New Americans called for the strengthening of immigrant integration efforts across the US.
The report, 'Building an Americanization Movement for the Twenty-first Century', reaffirms two fundamental ideals. Firstly, Americans are united by an identity that respects diversity, but one that is defined by the principles of American democracy, shared history, and the English language. Secondly, promoting citizenship encompasses not only naturalisation, but also assimilation.
"The Task Force believes that immigrants do generally assimilate in the United States," said Alfonso Aguilar, chief of US Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) Office of Citizenship. "But trends show government can do more to help newcomers learn English, learn about America, and promote integration across our nation."
Recognising that immigration is the government's responsibility, but integration occurs in communities, the Task Force calls for a coordinated Americanisation movement involving all sectors of US society.
The Task Force offers the following 10 recommendations to help strengthen integration efforts across the country:
1. An Americanisation movement for the 21st century;
2. Viewing integration as a two-way street;
3. Improved legislation on integration and citizenship;
4. Federal celebration of citizenship;
5. Federal leadership on integration;
6. Enhanced e-learning tools for adults;
7. Encouraging the private sector to promote integration;
8. Mobilising the volunteer community;
9. Increasing integration stakeholders; and
10.Broadened analysis and evaluation of integration.
President Bush created the Task Force in June 2006 as a federal inter-agency effort to help immigrants embrace the common core of American civic culture. The full report is available on the USCIS website: www.uscis.gov.
04 March 2009