Mainers of all backgrounds share a commitment to community and a drive to persevere in the face of adversity. We take pride in being compassionate, working hard and lifting each other up when our neighbors need it.

Many new Mainers will agree that these qualities made this state feel like home during a time of extreme vulnerability and uncertainty as we fled our home countries. Still, the transition can be challenging. New Mainers are often confronted with language and cultural barriers while trying to navigate a piecemeal network of workforce training programs and social services, which are overwhelming and inefficient. This confusing and disorganized set of institutions makes it harder to get our kids into schools, find jobs that provide enough to sustain our families and secure reasonable places to live.

Concurrently, Maine is experiencing unique economic and workforce challenges that could impact the quality of life our state is so well known for. Maine’s economy is strong, but our rate of growth is outpacing our workforce capacity. Demographic trends indicate that deaths in Maine have outpaced births for more than a decade, with no sign of slowing. However, at the intersection of these challenges lies opportunity.

Last August, Gov. Janet Mills directed her Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to work with stakeholders to establish a plan to make the most of this opportunity by creating an Office of New Americans. Individuals and organizations representing state agencies, municipalities, schools and colleges, businesses, community-based organizations, chambers of commerce, and immigrant, refugee and asylum-seeking communities across Maine were all involved in the process. The resulting bipartisan bill, which has multiple Republican co-sponsors, received approval from the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee last week. It is the direct result of that thoughtful, inclusive and far-reaching work.

Despite widespread misinformation about this bill, it would not support illegal immigration or serve as a migrant resettlement agency. Instead, it would coordinate existing resources to strengthen English-language acquisition opportunities, build workforce pathways and support for entrepreneurs, and improve the overall integration of organizations and entities that support new Mainers. Further, it would monitor federal immigration policies that may benefit Maine and improve our data collection regarding immigrant populations, so the state can make more informed policy decisions.

Maine has always been enriched by the presence of immigrants who contribute to our culture and economy. According to the American Immigration Council, in 2018, immigrants added over a billion dollars to the state’s economy and contributed almost $200 million in state and local taxes. That same year, immigrant-owned businesses generated $15.3 million in annual revenue, which grew to $48 million in 2022. Beyond our contributions as customers and business owners, new Mainers also serve as teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers, builders and elected officials.

As Maine faces a significant demographic and workforce challenge, we cannot afford to uphold unnecessary barriers to employment for any Mainer. Fortunately, we already have several programs to help support workforce development for various groups, including the Professional and Occupational Licensing Initiative, the Veteran Readiness and Employment Division, the Veterans Opportunity to Work program and Boots2Roots, an initiative that helps retired military service members connect with employers in Maine. The Office of New Americans represents another tool that would ensure that those who want to work – but face unique challenges – are able to do so.

We came to Maine with the hope of supporting our families and creating a meaningful life. And although new Mainers have achieved great things without the dedicated support of this office, just imagine what can be accomplished with it.

This office represents a commitment to the belief that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves a chance to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on our society. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant future for Maine that embraces and celebrates the contributions of all its residents.

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