The Secretary of the Presidency stressed on Monday morning the partnership the Azorean Government has established with the Bristol County Sheriff over the year in cases of deportation, highlighting the fact that the Detention Centre implemented in that city “is a national example in the United States.”

André Bradford spoke at the end of a meeting with Bristol County Sheriff, Thomas Hodgson, to exchange compliments that took place in Ponta Delgada on Monday.

The development of the LEGAL programme, promoted by the Government of the Azores, was the main theme under discussion at this meeting.

In this context, the Regional Secretary stressed the importance of the “cooperation of US security forces in the effort to support families affected by deportation, through the network of social welfare institutions.”

According to André Bradford, it is fundamental that this effort may convey the message that “the the acquisition of citizenship, whether in the USA or in Canada, is the best the way.”

With the purpose of conveying this message, the Azorean Government will develop a set of information materials, promote information sessions as well as the involvement of diaspora institutions to “get all the answers to the questions raised on this subject with a clear message in order to achieve results that might ease the suffering of the families of our deported emigrants.” 

“Informing and assisting emigrants in the acquisition of North American citizenship is the most effective means against deportation for those who have committed crimes in the USA,” concluded André Bradford.