The non-profit leader based in Norristown will be the first immigrant director in Montgomery.
On Thursday, the leaders of the county announced that they hired Nelly Jiménez-Arévalo, executive director of ACLAMO, to a novel position. It is expected to play a key role in coordinating and reaching the immigrant community – regardless of the legal status – when President Donald Trump strives to aggressively enforce the immigration law.
“For some time I have known Nelly and she did amazing things to really increase the trail of Aclamo in the Latin community,” said Commissioner Jamila Winder, Democrat.
Over the past 10 years, Jiménez-Arévalo has been led by Aclamo, a suburban Non-profit organization, which is in favor of the local Latin community, while providing a wide range of bilingual services, including educational programs, mother’s health clinics and housing support. Organization also Proponents of immigrants’ rights And organizes regular events “Get to know your rights” in the community.
In the written statement of Jiménez-Arévalo, which comes from Venezuela, she said that she willingly continues to work on strengthening the positions of various communities.
“My trip from Caracas to Norristown began 27 years ago. Since then, I devoted my life to making sure that everyone who would make a house in Montgomery, feels welcome and supported in development and achieving great things, “she said.
The Council of Commissioners of Montgomery approved the employment of Jiménez-Arévalo during the Thursday meeting of the Management Board as part of the list of novel employees. Republican Commissioner Tom Dibello voted against the full board. Although he refused to mention specific reasons or position, Dibello said he had the fears of some employees.
Commissioner Neil Makhija, a democrat, who chaired the board, called Jiménez-arévalo “an extraordinary community leader.”
“I am looking forward to introducing her as a director of immigrants,” he said. “We can make sure that we serve over 100,000 inhabitants who, born abroad in Montgomery, who play necessary roles in economic sectors and spheres.”
Jiménez-arévalo is to start work in March and will be one of four novel employees at the Montgomery Country and Integration of Montgomery Firefighting Office. Her employment comes when local governments in Pennsylvania react to increased fears caused by the deportation activities of the Trump administration and reduced support of refugees.
Trump’s Administration Days, Philadelphia Executive Director at the Immigrant Office, Amy Eusebio, gave up. Last month, the administration of the mayor of Cherllelle L. Parker said the city that the city was interviewed to complete free jobs.
On Wednesday, the City Council of the City Council approved the “greeting of the city” blocking the local police against cooperation with immigration and true officers, the movement was conducted as the Department of Justice of Trump warns against legal consequences for local officials who hinder federal repression on illegal immigration.
Although Montgomery did not consider a similar policy, Machija said last month that he expected that the novel immigrant director coordinates efforts to ensure that immigrants may feel safe and sound in the county and interaction with the government.
According to the American office of the census, just over 11% of Montgomery’s population is born abroad.
