Legislation would authorize a federal study to understand and help remove systemic barriers to employment for newcomers to America
Washington, D.C.— Upwardly Global is applauding the inclusion of the “Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act of ” as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The legislation would provide much-needed changes in the approach of workforce development particularly for immigrants and refugees with international credentials by eliminating barriers to their employment.
Among other things, the legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Labor to conduct an interagency study on factors that impact employment opportunities in the U.S. for work-eligible immigrants and refugees with professional credentials from other countries, including newly arrived Afghan SIVs. Upwardly Global is urging the U.S. Senate to include the “Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act” in its version of the bill.
“This is a big win for immigrant and refugee communities; many of whom are looking to restart their lives and contribute to society,” said Jina Krause-Vilmar, CEO of Upwardly Global. “This development is even more relevant as up to 95,000 of our Afghan allies and refugees come into the U.S. Upwardly Global will continue to further our policy and advocacy work to help immigrants and refugee professionals in the country. We urge the U.S. Senate to pass the New Americans Act!”
###
Upwardly Global is a national nonprofit whose mission is to eliminate employment barriers for immigrant and refugee professionals, and advance the inclusion of their skills into the U.S. economy.