The President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, said today in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, that the "best solution" for Azorean citizens living in the USA is to legalise their legal status in the country in order to avoid deportation.

"We know that the history of Azorean emigration to the various parts of the world is a history, in most cases, of the success, triumph, victory, strength and determination of these Azorean families. But we also know that there are cases, particularly those regarding citizens facing deportation, in which adverse circumstances have hit their lives and those of their families," said Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government spoke during the signing ceremony of a cooperation protocol between the Government of the Azores and the Office of Bristol County Sheriff, Thomas Hodgson, with the aim of creating conditions to promote the social integration of deportees arriving to the archipelago.

For Vasco Cordeiro, there must be a "very clear awareness" that the legalisation of Azoreans living in the USA is the best way of dealing with the issue of deportation, which will avoid the drama of many families; however, the Government of the Azores has responsibility of supporting citizens deported to the Region.

"We believe it is the Regional Government's obligation to not only highlight and praise the stories of success of Azorean emigration, but also to say that the Azoreans whose circumstances have adverse to them may rely on the Government of the Azores to help them overcoming this phase," stressed Vasco Cordeiro. The government official assured that the Government seeks to "defend, protect and promote the interests of the Azoreans, regardless of where they are."

Nevertheless, the President of the Government restated the "absolute and urgent need of raising the awareness of Azorean citizens living in the USA for the importance and usefulness of  legalising their situation. In this context, the government official recalled the role played by Azorean emigrants in the development of this country with "hard work and the commitment of many and many families."

At the end of the ceremony, Vasco Cordeiro, accompanied by Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, visited the Detention Centre, where he contacted with three Azorean citizens awaiting deportation to the Azores.

The President of the Government spoke to each of them in order to become acquainted with the reasons that led to their deportation and ensured the support of regional authorities in their social and professional integration in the Azores.