The mission of the MACIRA is to advise and assist the Mayor's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (MOIRA) concerning the Mayor's formulation and implementation of programs, services, policies, and legislation that promote fair and equal access to opportunities for immigrants and refugees, and advocates a non-biased and non-discriminatory practices in the delivery of services and benefits for all.
Duties and Responsibilities
The members of the Mayoral Advisory Committee on Immigrant & Refugee Affairs (MACIRA) are appointed to:
To assist immigrant & refugees in identifying services and benefits within city government not ordinarily accessed by them
To act as a liaison & promote cooperation between individuals, groups/organizations to interpret need, provide vital input and to seek representation at all levels of city government
To enhance and provide increased support services to facilitate the naturalization application process, by working closely with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
To assist organize and/or support citizenship workshops, voter registration, and other efforts that are aimed at promoting civic participation of immigrant and refugees;
To provide assistance in publishing user-friendly and multi-lingual literature to assist immigrant community, and also inform and educate the public about the current immigration policies and laws;
To reach out to immigrant & refugee communities on an ongoing basis via community events, correspondence, and other available means, as well as public and private institutions that serve or engage in immigrant and refugee issues, so as to foster cooperative relationship between City and public and private institutions, groups and individuals;
To assist in developing principles of inclusiveness as well as fair and equitable delivery of public services with an understanding of sensitivity and commitment to removing barriers that hinder immigrants and refugees from the enjoyment of equal access to services, benefits and opportunities.
