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<section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="9-3303" title_number="9" title_name="Miscellaneous Executive Agencies" subtitle_number="33" subtitle_name="Governor's Office of Immigrant Affairs">
  <text>Subject to the availability of funding, the Office shall:</text>
  <level label="1">
    <text>establish a network of neighborhood–based opportunity centers that provide immigration services to immigrants;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="2">
    <text>increase access to ESOL programs, including by engaging nonprofit organizations and other qualified providers of ESOL programs;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="3">
    <text>assist immigrants in matters relating to immigration status, including assisting with the naturalization process and applications for deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA);</text>
  </level>
  <level label="4">
    <text>connect immigrants to:</text>
    <level label="i">
      <text>business resources that use the immigrants’ skills;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="ii">
      <text>employment referral programs; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="iii">
      <text>other workforce development programs;</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="5">
    <text>develop and leverage immigrants’ skills to benefit the immigrants’ communities and the State;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="6">
    <text>strengthen the connection between immigrants and the immigrants’ communities through civic engagement;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="7">
    <text>reduce exploitation of immigrants;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="8">
    <text>establish a toll–free, multilingual hotline and a website for purposes including:</text>
    <level label="i">
      <text>disseminating information about the programs and services offered by the Office;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="ii">
      <text>referring for services; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="iii">
      <text>receiving complaints relating to fraud and other related crimes against immigrants;</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="9">
    <text>ensure that individuals referred by the Office are directed to persons who are:</text>
    <level label="i">
      <text>in compliance with Title 14, Subtitle 33 of the Commercial Law Article; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="ii">
      <text>authorized by the federal Office of Legal Access Programs;</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="10">
    <text>using information developed by the Office through the hotline established under this section, assist law enforcement in combating crimes against immigrants;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="11">
    <text>advise the Governor and Director concerning matters affecting immigrants in the State in order to promote and encourage the full participation of immigrants in the State’s civic and economic life;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="12">
    <text>coordinate with other State agencies and otherwise use the resources of the State to serve the needs of immigrants; and</text>
  </level>
  <level label="13">
    <text>encourage and assist local governments in the development of activities to enhance civic engagement among immigrants and in immigrant communities.</text>
  </level>
</section>
