Thread: NJ-Freehold man tapped for state immigration panel

Freehold man tapped for state immigration panel
By KIM PREDHAM • FREEHOLD BUREAU • January 17, 2010

TRENTON — Freehold resident Frank Argote-Freyre will head up a new state commission meant to help immigrants integrate into the "economic, social and civic fabric" of New Jersey.




His first order of business? To arrange a meeting with Gov.-elect Chris Christie.
"The goal is how can we work with the new administration to improve the lives of immigrants," said Argote-Freyre, who also leads the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey's Monmouth County chapter.
Corzine signed an executive order this week creating the Commission on New Americans, one of several recommendations made by the Governor's Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy in March.
The panel also called for in-state college tuition eligibility and driving privileges for undocumented immigrants. Christie has criticized both ideas, and state lawmakers shelved plans Monday to vote on an in-state tuition proposal.
Argote-Freyre, 49, said he wants to meet with Christie to discuss the positive contributions the new commission can make. A Christie spokeswoman did not return a call for comment.
The 23-member commission's responsibilities include advising the governor on immigration integration issues and developing a resource guide to the state and local services available to immigrants. Those services would include English language and citizenship acquisition, accreditation and qualification services and employment support.
Corzine named 17 members to the commission this week. Argote-Freyre was the only appointee from Monmouth or Ocean counties.
Six others will also have voting power on the commission: the Governor's chief of staff, the Public Advocate, the commissioners of the Human Services, Health and Senior Services and Labor departments, and the director of the Division on Civil Rights.
The commission will be housed within the Department of the Public Advocate.




Kim Predham: kpredham@app.com














http://www.app.com/article/20100117/NEW ... 1007/rss03

Seems like every group of people in America can have a spokesperson to speak with the government about improving the lives OF the people in that specific group, except my own of course...lol