Members of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners gather for a photo following a reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, 2024 in Norristown. Pictured, from left, is Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija, Chairwoman Jamila Winder and Commissioner Tom DiBello. (Credit: Rachel Ravina / MediaNews Group)
Montgomery County Commissioners authorized the creation of a new position focusing on immigration at this month’s salary board meeting.
A listing for the director of immigrant affairs was posted online just days after the Jan. 9 salary board meeting with a prospective salary between $98,645 and $147,965 approved in a 2-1 roll call vote.
Referencing the proposed role in remarks made ahead of the vote, newly appointed Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairman Neil Makhija said, “It’s really important for us to be doing that now at a time where there’s tremendous uncertainty about what is happening at the federal level.” Immigration was highly talked about during the 2024 presidential election as Republican President-elect Donald Trump is expected to double down on immigration during his term in office, per media reports.
“I think it’s really important that we base our policy on reality, and I say that because there is so much misinformation out there, and really unfortunate characterizations of the role that immigrants play in society right now. Our communities would not function without immigrants who are doing essential work across the board in every sector in every industry, and wouldn’t thrive without them, and … the services we provide as a county and the work we’re trying to do are dependent on our representing everyone and making sure they feel safe,” Makhija said.
Montgomery County has an estimated population of 868,742 people, according to July 2024 figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, with additional statistics from datausa.io revealing that roughly 10.8 percent of county residents “were born outside of the country” as of 2022.
“There are a number of areas and issues in which we need to include and ensure that people are fully recognized and protected if they’ve been here for decades and decades, and have served as an essential member of our community, and really no country other than the United States,” Makhija said. “No matter what’s happening at the federal level, we need to recognize that immigrants regardless of status make an essential part of our community here in Montgomery County, and part of the work that we do and all of the goals that we have are essential to recognize that.”
Montgomery County’s director of immigrant affairs would “support and enhance the economic, civic, and social integration of immigrant communities across Montgomery County,” according to the Government Jobs posting.
The selected candidate would report directly to the county’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Donna Richemond and take on dual responsibilities related to immigration through advocacy, coordinating resources and policy development.
The role emphasizes working with nonprofits as well as government officials at the local, county, state and federal levels. The role requires the director “advocate for continued immigration reforms at all levels of government in order to eliminate inequities to make Montgomery County a welcoming county for immigrants, refugees and existing residents alike, and to serve as a hub for accurate information and education.”
Commissioner Tom DiBello was the sole dissenting vote on the salary board item. He’d previously requested voting separately on certain items, but that request was not honored, which resulted in the no-vote during Thursday’s roll call.
“I was curious about the director of immigrant affairs, but I would have probably supported it because we have large immigrant communities out there, so we need to have some better interaction with those communities,” DiBello said.
No one has yet been selected for the director role. It’s unclear how long the hiring process will take, but a Montgomery County spokesperson told MediaNews Group it’s a “high priority position” they’d like to have filled “as soon as possible.”
In other business, the Board of Commissioners reorganized during the Jan. 9 meeting, with the leadership roles changing. Makhija, formerly vice chairman, was appointed chair, while former Chairwoman Jamila Winder was named to the vice chairwoman position. DiBello remains the minority commissioner.
