On Tuesday night, about 75 people gathered for a public hearing in Portland City Hall to discuss the potential for new office that would be aimed at helping immigrants create businesses, integrate into the workforce and fully participate in the city’s economy.
In early February, city Mayor Ethan Strimling gave his first State of the City address, during which he mentioned interest in creating an Office of New Americans in Portland.
The City Council’s Economic Development Committee hosted the hearing to solicit input from the public.
The hearing drew mixed responses. Some speakers supported the new office, while others were concerned that having an office dedicated to foreign-born residents would further disenfranchise other groups like African Americans, Latinos and young adults who have lived in Maine for many years.
Others voiced support for the office as long as it does not happen at the expense of other needs or the exclusion of other economically disenfranchised groups.
Others objected or were confused by what the term “New Americans” means, or whether it is accurate.
Dan Wallace, of the New York City-based organization Partnership for a New American Economy in New York City, attended the meeting and discussed how 20 offices around the country have been established in other communities. He says immigrants face a number of unique challenges to full participation in the civic and economic life of their communities.
“Lack of access to capital means that many of the new businesses started by immigrants may struggle to expand and hire more workers; because they are more likely to be unbanked, many immigrants have lost their savings to theft or destruction; public health and safety messages that go out only in English may not reach some immigrant communities and lack of trust in law enforcement may cause some to fear reporting criminal activity,” Wallace says. “Cities have a role to play in responding to these challenges, and in maximizing the economic benefits of immigration for the benefit of the entire community.”
Claude Rwaganje, executive director of Community Financial Literacy, supports the new office as a starting point.
“I believe that the goal of this office should be to connect business in the community and development organizations. Local government and justice systems. Social and health services,” Rwaganje says. “Community and culture, arts and education allow immigrants to get involved in the policymaking decisions.”
Octavia Clarkson of Portland, a self-described millennial, says she supports the creation of an Office of New Americans, and says it’s important to build on agencies that are already doing this type of work in Portland.
“The nation is watching our oldest and whitest state to see how we respond,” Clarkson says. “If we cannot get it right when it comes to new Americans or new Mainers, how do we even support those who are already here? Specifically people of color.”
Rev. Kenneth Lewis, pastor of Green Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, urged the city to create an office that addresses all economic disparities and engages all disenfranchised populations in Portland.
“African American populations, Latino populations, other folks in their various diasporas have supported the city of Portland, and want opportunity within the city of Portland,” Lewis says. “I think when you tag the name ‘New American’ you’re making a statement. I think it’s the wrong statement. It’s exclusive, not inclusive.”
The development of an Office for New Americans was identified as a top goal of the Council at the beginning of the year. City Manager Jon Jennings recommended funds in the fiscal year 2017 budget to start establishing the office.
City officials say Tuesday’s hearing is only the first step in a process to determine whether the city will establish an office and, if so, what role it would play.
According to a recent report by Coastal Enterprises, in 2013, Portland had the largest concentration of immigrants in the state — approximately 10,000, or nearly 15 percent of the city’s population, representing over 80 nationalities.