{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-209.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-209.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-209.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-209.1.html"}],"law_id":74217,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74217,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-209.1","catch_line":"Office of New Americans","history":"2020, cc. 1078, 1079.","full_text":"A\n\nThere is created in the Department an Office of New Americans (the Office) to assist immigrant integration within the Commonwealth on an economic, social, and cultural level.B\n\nThe Office shall:1\n\nImplement a statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth;2\n\nWork with localities to coordinate and support local efforts that align with the statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth;3\n\nProvide advice and assistance to new Americans regarding (i) the citizenship application process and (ii) securing employment, housing, and services for which such persons may be eligible;4\n\nProvide advice and assistance to state agencies regarding (i) the coordination of relevant policies across state agencies responsible for education, workforce, and training programs, including professional licensure guidance, small business development, worker protection, refugee resettlement, citizenship and voter education or engagement programs, housing programs, and other related programs, and (ii) the dissemination of information to localities and immigration service organizations regarding state programs that help new Americans find and secure employment, housing, and services for which they may be eligible;5\n\nEducate localities and immigration service organizations on health epidemics and unlawful predatory actions, such as human trafficking, gang recruitment, and fraudulent financial and other schemes, to which communities of such persons may be especially vulnerable;6\n\nServe as the primary liaison with external stakeholders, particularly immigrant-serving and refugee-serving organizations and businesses, on immigrant integration priorities and policies;7\n\nPartner with state agencies and immigrant-serving and refugee-serving organizations and businesses to identify and disseminate beneficial immigrant integration policies and practices throughout the Commonwealth;8\n\nManage competitive grant programs that replicate beneficial practices or test new innovations that improve the effectiveness and efficacy of immigrant integration strategies; and9\n\nAdvise the Governor, cabinet members, and the General Assembly on strategies to improve state policies and programs to support the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans throughout the Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":266864,"text":"There is created in the Department an Office of New Americans (the Office) to assist immigrant integration within the Commonwealth on an economic, social, and cultural level.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":266865,"text":"The Office shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":266866,"text":"Implement a statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":266867,"text":"Work with localities to coordinate and support local efforts that align with the statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":266868,"text":"Provide advice and assistance to new Americans regarding (i) the citizenship application process and (ii) securing employment, housing, and services for which such persons may be eligible;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":266869,"text":"Provide advice and assistance to state agencies regarding (i) the coordination of relevant policies across state agencies responsible for education, workforce, and training programs, including professional licensure guidance, small business development, worker protection, refugee resettlement, citizenship and voter education or engagement programs, housing programs, and other related programs, and (ii) the dissemination of information to localities and immigration service organizations regarding state programs that help new Americans find and secure employment, housing, and services for which they may be eligible;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":266870,"text":"Educate localities and immigration service organizations on health epidemics and unlawful predatory actions, such as human trafficking, gang recruitment, and fraudulent financial and other schemes, to which communities of such persons may be especially vulnerable;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":266871,"text":"Serve as the primary liaison with external stakeholders, particularly immigrant-serving and refugee-serving organizations and businesses, on immigrant integration priorities and policies;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":266872,"text":"Partner with state agencies and immigrant-serving and refugee-serving organizations and businesses to identify and disseminate beneficial immigrant integration policies and practices throughout the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"9":{"id":266873,"text":"Manage competitive grant programs that replicate beneficial practices or test new innovations that improve the effectiveness and efficacy of immigrant integration strategies; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"B9"},"10":{"id":266874,"text":"Advise the Governor, cabinet members, and the General Assembly on strategies to improve state policies and programs to support the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans throughout the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"B9","prefix_anchor":"B9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12792,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department and Commissioner of Social Services","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12791,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270705,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12792,"identifier":"1","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1","url":"\/63.2\/I\/2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12791,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Social Services","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12790,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270703,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12791,"identifier":"2","token":"63.2\/I\/2","url":"\/63.2\/I\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12790,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions Relating to Social Services","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270663,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12790,"identifier":"I","token":"63.2\/I","url":"\/63.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":80482,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-200","catch_line":"Department of Social Services created","url":"\/63.2-200\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-200","metadata":false},{"id":59167,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-201","catch_line":"Appointment of Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-201\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-201","metadata":false},{"id":81419,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-202","catch_line":"Term of office; vacancies","url":"\/63.2-202\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-202","metadata":false},{"id":63827,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-203","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Commissioner generally","url":"\/63.2-203\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-203","metadata":false},{"id":55838,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-204","catch_line":"Cooperation with local authorities","url":"\/63.2-204\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-204","metadata":false},{"id":86784,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-205","catch_line":"Requiring reports from local boards; forms and submission schedule; approval of budgets by Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-205\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-205","metadata":false},{"id":76177,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-206","catch_line":"Cooperation with federal agencies","url":"\/63.2-206\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-206","metadata":false},{"id":76049,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-207","catch_line":"Authority to receive grants-in-aid, funds and gifts","url":"\/63.2-207\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-207","metadata":false},{"id":77121,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-208","catch_line":"Standards for personnel","url":"\/63.2-208\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-208","metadata":false},{"id":77261,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-209","catch_line":"Divisions of Department; staffing","url":"\/63.2-209\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-209","metadata":false},{"id":74217,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-209.1","catch_line":"Office of New Americans","url":"\/63.2-209.1\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-209.1","metadata":false},{"id":56356,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-210","catch_line":"Appointment of division heads","url":"\/63.2-210\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-210","metadata":false},{"id":81887,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-211","catch_line":"Powers and duties of division heads","url":"\/63.2-211\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-211","metadata":false},{"id":54712,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-212","catch_line":"Employment of agents and employees","url":"\/63.2-212\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-212","metadata":false},{"id":61834,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-213","catch_line":"Powers, duties, titles and functions of agents and employees","url":"\/63.2-213\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-213","metadata":false},{"id":80419,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-214","catch_line":"Bonds of such agents","url":"\/63.2-214\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-214","metadata":false},{"id":61373,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-214.1","catch_line":"Marriage and family programs; funding","url":"\/63.2-214.1\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-214.1","metadata":false},{"id":53965,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-214.2","catch_line":"Information related to shaken baby syndrome","url":"\/63.2-214.2\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-214.2","metadata":false},{"id":54307,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-214.3","catch_line":"Information on human trafficking","url":"\/63.2-214.3\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-214.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77261,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-209","catch_line":"Divisions of Department; staffing","url":"\/63.2-209\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-209","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56356,"structure_id":12792,"section_number":"63.2-210","catch_line":"Appointment of division heads","url":"\/63.2-210\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-210","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-209.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1078\">1078<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1079\">1079<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":270747,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74217,"identifier":"63.2-209.1","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-209.1","url":"\/63.2-209.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-209.1\/","token":"63.2\/I\/2\/1\/63.2-209.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Office of New Americans","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-209.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> There is created in the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> an Office of New Americans (the Office) to assist immigrant integration within the Commonwealth on an economic, social, and cultural level. <a id=\"paragraph-266864\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The Office shall: <a id=\"paragraph-266865\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Implement a statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth; <a id=\"paragraph-266866\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Work with localities to coordinate and support local efforts that align with the statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth; <a id=\"paragraph-266867\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> Provide advice and assistance to new Americans regarding (i) the citizenship application process and (ii) securing employment, housing, and services for which such persons may be eligible; <a id=\"paragraph-266868\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> Provide advice and assistance to state agencies regarding (i) the coordination of relevant policies across state agencies responsible for education, workforce, and training programs, including professional licensure guidance, small business development, worker protection, refugee resettlement, citizenship and voter education or engagement programs, housing programs, and other related programs, and (ii) the dissemination of information to localities and immigration service organizations regarding state programs that help new Americans find and secure employment, housing, and services for which they may be eligible; <a id=\"paragraph-266869\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B5\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> Educate localities and immigration service organizations on health epidemics and unlawful predatory actions, such as human trafficking, gang recruitment, and fraudulent financial and other schemes, to which communities of such persons may be especially vulnerable; <a id=\"paragraph-266870\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B6\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">6.<\/span> Serve as the primary liaison with external stakeholders, particularly immigrant-serving and refugee-serving organizations and businesses, on immigrant integration priorities and policies; <a id=\"paragraph-266871\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B6\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B7\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">7.<\/span> Partner with state agencies and immigrant-serving and refugee-serving organizations and businesses to identify and disseminate beneficial immigrant integration policies and practices throughout the Commonwealth; <a id=\"paragraph-266872\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B7\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B8\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">8.<\/span> Manage competitive grant programs that replicate beneficial practices or test new innovations that improve the effectiveness and efficacy of immigrant integration strategies; and <a id=\"paragraph-266873\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B8\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B9\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">9.<\/span> Advise the Governor, cabinet members, and the General Assembly on strategies to improve state policies and programs to support the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans throughout the Commonwealth. <a id=\"paragraph-266874\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/63.2-209.1\/#B9\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nOFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS (\u00a7 63.2-209.1)\n\nA. There is created in the Department an Office of New Americans (the Office) to\nassist immigrant integration within the Commonwealth on an economic, social, and\ncultural level.\n\nB. The Office shall:\n\n   1. Implement a statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic, and\n   civic integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth;\n\n   2. Work with localities to coordinate and support local efforts that align\n   with the statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic, and civic\n   integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth;\n\n   3. Provide advice and assistance to new Americans regarding (i) the\n   citizenship application process and (ii) securing employment, housing, and\n   services for which such persons may be eligible;\n\n   4. Provide advice and assistance to state agencies regarding (i) the\n   coordination of relevant policies across state agencies responsible for\n   education, workforce, and training programs, including professional licensure\n   guidance, small business development, worker protection, refugee resettlement,\n   citizenship and voter education or engagement programs, housing programs, and\n   other related programs, and (ii) the dissemination of information to\n   localities and immigration service organizations regarding state programs that\n   help new Americans find and secure employment, housing, and services for which\n   they may be eligible;\n\n   5. Educate localities and immigration service organizations on health\n   epidemics and unlawful predatory actions, such as human trafficking, gang\n   recruitment, and fraudulent financial and other schemes, to which communities\n   of such persons may be especially vulnerable;\n\n   6. Serve as the primary liaison with external stakeholders, particularly\n   immigrant-serving and refugee-serving organizations and businesses, on\n   immigrant integration priorities and policies;\n\n   7. Partner with state agencies and immigrant-serving and refugee-serving\n   organizations and businesses to identify and disseminate beneficial immigrant\n   integration policies and practices throughout the Commonwealth;\n\n   8. Manage competitive grant programs that replicate beneficial practices or\n   test new innovations that improve the effectiveness and efficacy of immigrant\n   integration strategies; and\n\n   9. Advise the Governor, cabinet members, and the General Assembly on\n   strategies to improve state policies and programs to support the economic,\n   linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans throughout the\n   Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, cc. 1078, 1079.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}