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House establishes Office of New Americans after extended debate over scope and eligibility
Summary
The House passed HB124 to codify an Office of New Americans in the Department of Workforce Solutions to help immigrants with licensure, workforce placement and employer outreach. Members debated definitions, reporting and a floor amendment to limit benefits to those "lawfully residing," which was tabled.
The New Mexico House on the floor voted 40–21 to pass House Bill 124, creating a statutory Office of New Americans inside the Department of Workforce Solutions to coordinate workforce credentialing, employer outreach and reporting on immigrant labor supply. Sponsor Representative (19) said the office will help employers recruit and retain workers and support immigrant pathways into licensed professions such as nursing and teaching.
"This office is not a new idea. It is an overdue idea," Representative (19) said, noting an interim report requirement and partnerships the temporary office already established. She told colleagues the office has trained more than 400 businesses on recent federal…
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