Credit: Montgomery County.
Montgomery County has launched an online Immigrant Resource Center to provide both new and long-time County residents with resources for civil rights procedures, legal representation, small business opportunities, and related support. Residents can access the Immigrant Resource Center at montgomerycountypa.gov/immigrants.
The Immigrant Resource Center is a hub for County resources and programs, as well as those provided by local non-profits and community centers. Aimed at improving access to essential information for all residents, many of the materials are available in Spanish and other languages.
“The Immigrant Resource Center was created to ensure that all of our residents, including the 100,000 that are foreign-born, have equal access to their local representatives—no matter how long they’ve been here,” said Neil K. Makhija, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “There are many ways to make our community inclusive, and one of the most crucial is ensuring civic life and community support are accessible equitably to everyone. Our Office of Immigrant Affairs has been established to do just that.”
The web page contains multilingual resources from both national and local organizations which will help residents better understand their rights, navigate citizenship and naturalization processes, and access legal representation. The Immigrant Resource Center also provides a network of support for small business owners and entrepreneurs offered through the Montgomery County Commerce Department and local chambers of commerce.
“We know our residents have been looking out for each other in communities throughout the County, and we are working hard to show that their county government is looking out for them, too,” said Jamila H. Winder, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “There is always work to do to ensure our residents feel welcome in the County, and this Immigrant Resource Center will be a key asset for immigrants who live and work here.”
In addition to the services and programs the County offers, the Immigrant Resource Center connects residents to County partners and regional non-profits dedicated to serving the immigrant community.
Residents can also use this resource to collaborate with the County and contribute to its work through volunteer opportunities on County Boards and Commissions, as well as employment opportunities.
“Montgomery County residents deserve to have equal access to all the programs and services available to them in their communities,” said Nelly Jiménez-Arévalo, Director of Immigrant Affairs. “This Immigrant Resource Center is just one step among many that we will be taking to ensure that Montgomery County is a supportive home for all who reside here.”
Chair Makhija and Vice Chair Winder recently published an opinion in the Philadelphia Inquirer, titled “Why Montgomery County won’t deputize our officials as ICE agents."
