PROVIDENCE – Governor Donald L. Carcieri has announced the members of a group formed to monitor the implementation of the recently issued Executive Order on illegal immigration.
The advisory panel includes a diverse group of representatives from Rhode Island’s religious communities, community agencies, government, law enforcement, and business. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and Father James Ruggieri, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Providence, are among those named.
“Last month, I indicated that I would form an advisory panel to monitor any unintended consequences that the implementation of my executive order might have for immigrants and others who are in Rhode Island legally,” Carcieri said. “I’m pleased that so many people, representing so many different backgrounds, have agreed to participate. I’m confident that they will work together to ensure that my Executive Order only affects those who are in Rhode Island illegally, as was always intended.”
“I am grateful that Governor Carcieri has appointed the advisory board to oversee the implementation of the executive order,” said Bishop Tobin. “Again, I hope that we can address the local immigration question in a positive, peaceful and constructive manner through continued communication between the Governor’s Office and those whom this order may affect.”
Carcieri said, in his formal statement, “Let me reiterate my strong support for legal immigration and for the contributions made by Rhode Island’s legal immigrant population. As I have said time and time again, I believe America needs more legal immigrants and that Congress must act to make that possible. Unfortunately, my strong support for expanded legal immigration often gets lost in the debate about the executive order, which simply outlines several commonsense measures to guide state officials when they encounter instances of illegal immigration.
“By working to limit the unintended consequences of this public policy decision, I hope the advisory panel will help dispel misinformation and concern about this order,” Carcieri said. “Legal immigrants and others entitled to live in the United States should always be welcome as part of the Rhode Island community.”
ADVISORY?PANEL?MEMBERS
Religious Communities:
The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop
Diocese of Providence
Rabbi Alan Flam
RI Board of Rabbis
Rev. Donald Anderson
RI State Council of Churches
Rev. Eliseo Nogueras
Hispanic Ministerial Alliance
Rev. Jeff Williams
Cathedral of Life Christian Assembly
Rev. William L. Shaw
Ministers Alliance of RI
Rev. James T. Ruggieri
St. Patrick Church, Providence (Pastor)
Community Agencies:
Adeola Oredola
Youth in Action
Pheamo Witcher
Genesis Center
Toby Ayers, Ph.D.
RI for Community & Justice
Bruno Sukys
Int’l Institute, Feinstein Center
Merrill R. Thomas
Providence Community Health Centers
Government:
Patricia Martinez
State Department of Children, Youth and Families
Vanessa Cooley
State Department of Education
Carrie Bridges
State Department of Health
Elvys Ruiz
State Department of Human Services
Yvon Chancy
Governor’s Office of Community Relations
Rear Admiral (Ret)
Joseph Strausser
Advisory Panel Chair
Deborah A. Smith
Governor’s Office of External Affairs, Panel Vice-Chair
Law Enforcement:
Maj. Stephen O’Donnell
RI State Police
Col. Stephen McCartney
RI Association of Police Chiefs
Magdalena Pico
RI Department of Corrections
(Community Confinement)
Corporal Wilfred K. Hill
RI State Police
Business:?
John Gregory
Northern RI Chamber of Commerce
Keith Stokes
Newport County Chamber of Commerce
Elissa O’Brien
Human Resources Management Association of RI
