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Montgomery County approves hire for Director of Immigrant Affairs, names Neli Jimenez Arevalo
Summary
The county approved hiring Neli Jimenez Arevalo as director of immigrant affairs during Feb. 6 personnel votes; commissioners described her nonprofit executive background and said the office will connect immigrant residents to county services.
Montgomery County commissioners approved the personnel motion Feb. 6 that included hiring Neli Jimenez Arevalo as the county's Director of Immigrant Affairs.
Commissioners described Jimenez Arevalo as an experienced nonprofit executive, saying she served as executive director of a Norristown-based organization (Climball) for nine years and grew the organization from a small operation to one with a multi-million-dollar budget and extensive programming. One commissioner said the nonprofit had expanded to an $8,000,000 budget and 75 staff under her leadership, providing services including child care, maternal health clinics and English-as-a-second-language training.
"I'm absolutely thrilled that we have recruited her because she has a critical role right now," the presiding commissioner said during the personnel discussion. Another commissioner said the Office of Immigrant Affairs will act as a critical resource to connect more than 100,000 immigrant residents in Montgomery County with services.
The panel approved the personnel list in separate motions covering "other/off" transactions and new hires; the vote to approve new hires passed by voice vote. Commissioners did not provide salary details for the position during the public portion of the meeting.
Community commenters during the meeting praised the creation of the Director of Immigrant Affairs position and expressed support for the county's new office. Theresa Von Paris, speaking at the meeting, thanked the commissioners and called the new role "a significant step forward in ensuring the voices and needs of immigrants are heard and prioritized."
