USA. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) has committed to a new citizenship services programme which is part of a city-wide scheme to improve local immigrant integration efforts.
Working alongside the City of San José and immigrant support group New American Workforce, the Californian hub will provide citizenship services for eligible airport employees and their families.
The announcement in San José comes against a backdrop of controversy surrounding new US President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration.
Trump has said he will consider fighting the courts, which last week blocked an executive order temporarily banning refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries. Immigration reform was a central focus of Trump’s US Presidential Election campaign last year.
Mineta is New American Workforce’s first airport partner, and the gateway hosted its inaugural workshop immediately after San José Mayor Sam Liccardo unveiled the initiative on Wednesday.
Director of Aviation at Mineta San José Kim Becker said: “SJC’s significant growth in domestic and international flights is supported by a diverse group of employees who understand the languages and cultures of our global travellers.
“Supporting our airport employees’ path to citizenship allows us to have a more stable and well-trained workforce.”
