Sec. 208. Pilot program to promote immigrant integration at State and ocal levels
643 words·~3 min read·
/bill/118/hr/1643/ih/section-208·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Director of the National Office of New Americans (referred to in this section as the Director ), in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education and the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education at the Department of Education, the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training at the Department of Labor, the Assistant Secretary for the Administration of Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Chief of the Office of Citizenship at U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, shall establish a pilot program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to State, local, and Tribal governments— to establish new immigrant councils to carry out programs to integrate new immigrants; and to carry out programs to integrate new immigrants. To be considered for a grant under this section, a State, local, or Tribal government may submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may reasonably require, including— a proposal to carry out 1 or more activities described in subsection (c); the number of new immigrants who live in the jurisdiction of the applicant; and a description of the challenges presented by introducing and integrating new immigrants into the State, local, or Tribal community, as applicable.
A grant awarded under this section may be used— to form a new immigrant council, which shall— consist of not fewer than 15 and not more than 19 representatives of the State, local, or Tribal government, as applicable; include, to the extent practicable, representatives from— the business community; faith-based organizations; civic organizations; philanthropic organizations; nonprofit organizations, including nonprofit organizations with legal and advocacy experience working with immigrant communities; key education stakeholders, such as State educational agencies, local educational agencies, community colleges, and teachers;
State, local, or Tribal economic development agencies; State, local, or Tribal health and human services agencies; State, local, or Tribal early childhood coordinating councils; and State, local, or Tribal public libraries; and meet not less frequently than once each quarter; to provide subgrants to local communities, units of local government, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations (including veterans and civic organizations); to develop, implement, expand, or enhance a comprehensive plan to introduce and integrate new immigrants into the applicable State by— supporting English language and integration knowledge and skills development; engaging with immigrant parents and other primary caretakers to support the healthy development, kindergarten readiness, and education success of children; improving and expanding access to workforce training programs; teaching United States history, civics, and citizenship rights and responsibilities; improving financial literacy; and focusing on other key areas of importance with respect to integration into the social, cultural, economic, and civic life of the United States; and to engage receiving communities in the citizenship and civic integration process by— increasing local service capacity; building meaningful connections between newer immigrants and long-time residents; publicizing the contributions of receiving communities and new immigrants; and engaging leaders from all sectors of receiving communities.
Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year for which an entity receives a grant under this section, the entity shall submit to the Director an annual report that describes— each activity carried out by the grant recipient using grant funds; the service; the number of new immigrants in the service area; and the primary languages spoken in the service area. Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year for which an entity receives a grant under this section, the Director shall conduct an annual evaluation of the grant program established under this section— to assess and improve the effectiveness of the grant program; to assess the future needs of— new immigrants; and with respect to immigrant integration, State, local, and Tribal governments; and to ensure that grant recipients and subgrantees use grant funds in accordance with this section.