While the country is rightly focused on the Administrative Relief for potentially 5 million residents who are out of status and the protection of millions of children from having families divided by deportation unless there is serious crime, there was another facet of the Executive Order of November 21.  President Barak Obama created the first federal initiative on immigrant integration. 

The President wrote:

"Therefore, I am establishing a White House Task Force on New Americans, an interagency effort to identify and support State and local efforts at integration that are working and to consider how to expand and replicate successful models. The Task Force, which will engage with community, business, and faith leaders, as well as State and local elected officials, will help determine additional steps the Federal Government can take to ensure its programs and policies are serving diverse communities that include new Americans.

This Task Force shall consist of (i) the Secretary of State; (ii) the Attorney General; (iii) the Secretary of Agriculture; (iv) the Secretary of Commerce; (v) the Secretary of Labor; (vi) the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (vii) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; (viii) the Secretary of Transportation; (ix) the Secretary of Education; (x) the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service; (xi) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; (xii) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration; (xiii) the Senior Advisor and Assistant to thePresident for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement; (xiv) the Director of the National Economic Council; (xv) the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and (xvi) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Their mission is (i) review the policies and programs of all relevant executive departments and agencies to ensure they are responsive to the needs of new Americans and the receiving communities in which they reside, and identify ways in which such programs can be used to increase meaningful engagement between new Americans and the receiving community; (ii) identify and disseminate best practices at the State and local level; (iii) provide technical assistance, training, or other support to existing Federal grantees to increase their coordination and capacity to improve long-term integration and foster welcoming community climates; (iv) collect and disseminate immigrant integration data, policies, and programs that affect numerous executive departments and agencies, as well as State and local governments and nongovernmental actors; (v) conduct outreach to representatives of nonprofit organizations, State and local government  agencies, elected officials, and other interested persons that can assist with the Task Force's development of recommendations; (vi) work with Federal, State, and local entities to measure and strengthen equitable access to services and programs for new Americans, consistent with applicable law; and (vii) share information with and communicate to the American public regarding the benefits that result from integrating new Americans into communities."

For the Immigrant Integration Lab this is a milestone moment.  Thanks to the leadership of FIRM's executive[CV1]  committee and the particular advocacy and skill of Eva Millona, the White House has acted not only to give relief to the most vulnerable immigrants but has taken a major step to address the full participation and potential of all foreign born Americans.   By including immigrant integration in the EO, the President signals a commitment to more than tolerating newcomers, more than exercising prosecutorial discretion regarding those who are undocumented. Rather, this step is a commitment of the Administration to advance the social, economic, civic, and political integration of 13% of the U.S. population who sustain our nation with labor, entrepreneurial spirit, and dreams of improved life.

When the IIL was conceived, the first step was to survey the national academic scene and recognize that this would be a unique contribution. The IIL is unique.  Our vision grew from the success of the only federal immigrant integration program, the US Refugee Program, a program that offers an array of services to newcomers with a remarkable level of achievement.  If the lesson of front end assistance and its expansion to assist all newcomers were the only outcome, it would be transformative to the nation.  Social work and social policy are primary and effective tools.

But, as co-chair of the Governor's Advisory Council, serving Gov. Deval Patrick, I had opportunity to see the power of executive action with all members of his Cabinet working to address a similar vision.  A series of hearings across the state and policy roundtables with community leadership and academics produced a robust set of observations that were summarized in 131 recommendations.  The New American Agenda for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has served well as a lively agenda for many executive actions and agency improvements, as well as saw scores of these recommendations become new policy and practice.

As the President launches this vital element in the last quarter of his Administration, there is reason for hope.  Much can be done in each of the Secretariats to improve the opportunities foreign born Americans pursue. On the entry level, wage protection. On the high end, streamlining re-certification of professionals are some examples of areas to improve.  Secretary Jae Johnson of DHS has announced a naturalization campaign and with the backing of the White House, simple matters like using credit cards to apply for naturalization, fee waivers for low income families, and expanded services can make the critical pathway to becoming a citizen much more accessible.

In the IIL, we will pursue whatever opportunities emerge, but the moment is one to honor. Our nation of immigrants prospers when we remove barriers and open opportunities, when we recognize issues and provide inclusive policy, and when our ideals are translated into positive integration strategies.

Hail to the Chief.