The Regional Director for Communities defended in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that Azorean emigrants should become naturalised citizens in their host country in order to avoid deportation and safeguard their rights as American citizens.

Paulo Teves met with the board of the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) on Tuesday. The government official stressed the "need of reinforcing networking to promote the full integration of Azorean emigrants in the U.S. society."

The Regional Director for Communities defended that institutions like MAPS "should play an active role in minimising the impact of less favourable situation" on the Portuguese community, such as unemployment, health problems, isolation or deportation. The government official revealed that social institutions "have intensified their action in order to promote the effective integration of Portuguese emigrants in the USA."

Paulo Teves has also praised the work developed by MAPS in the revitalisation of the day centre, which is attended by many Azorean emigrants. This centre has played an active role in reducing the isolation of emigrants and maintaining Azorean traditions through the promotion of activities involving the Azorean culture.

The mission of the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers is to improve the lives of Portuguese-speaking individuals and families from Massachusetts and help them become contributing and active participants in the U.S. society.

This institution makes up the International Network of Social Services. In addition to being a partner of the Regional Government, this institution is also responsible for the development of integration plan of Azoreans facing deportation.