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MemoMemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum

Creating Welcoming Communities and Fully Integrating Immigrants and Refugees

ImmigrationImmigrationFederal WorkforceFederal WorkforceEconomy & LaborEconomy & Labor

In simple terms

This memorandum establishes the White House Task Force on New Americans, co-chaired by the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to develop a coordinated federal strategy for integrating immigrants and refugees into American communities. The Task Force must submit an Integration Plan within 120 days and a status report within one year, with responsibilities including reviewing agency policies, disseminating best practices, and measuring equitable access to services.

Federal Register Open PDF 79 FR 70765

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 79 FR 70765

    Federal Register PDF

  3. Status report on implementation due to President

  4. Integration Plan with recommendations for agency actions due to President

Key directives

  • Establish White House Task Force on New Americans with 16 specified members
  • Co-chaired by Director of Domestic Policy Council and Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Secretary of Homeland Security to appoint Executive Director
  • DHS to provide funding and administrative support subject to appropriations
  • Task Force to review policies across agencies for responsiveness to new Americans
  • Task Force to identify and disseminate state and local best practices
  • Task Force to provide technical assistance to federal grantees
  • Task Force to collect and disseminate immigrant integration data
  • Task Force to conduct outreach to nonprofits, state/local officials, and others
  • Task Force to measure and strengthen equitable access to services
  • Task Force to communicate benefits of integration to American public
  • Develop and submit Integration Plan within 120 days

Who is ordered

What to expect

Immediate

  • Establishment of White House Task Force on New Americans
  • Appointment of Executive Director by Secretary of Homeland Security

Near term (90d)

  • Task Force to develop and submit Integration Plan to President (by March 21, 2015)
  • Assessment by each member of their agency's integration efforts

Long term

  • Status report to President due within 1 year (by November 21, 2015)
  • Periodic review and update of Integration Plan
  • Ongoing interagency coordination on immigrant integration policy

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to availability of appropriations may limit DHS administrative support
  • No enforcement mechanism for agency compliance with Integration Plan recommendations
  • Vague 'periodic' review schedule lacks accountability structure
  • Potential tension between integration goals and concurrent immigration enforcement priorities of administration
Presidential Memorandum: Creating Welcoming Communities and Fully Integrating Immigrants and Refugees · Executive Orders