On Monday, the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, welcomed State Senator Michael Rodrigues of Massachusetts, who was accompanied by a delegation of U.S. State Senators and Representatives.

The visit aimed to strengthen ties with the Azorean community, whose influence in the United States has grown in recent years.

José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted the significance of the Azorean community in North America, stating, “The prestige of the U.S. community reflects the hard work and commitment of Azoreans over many decades.”

He also emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the situation of Azoreans living in the United States, particularly in light of recent U.S. immigration policies. The primary concern discussed during the meeting was the potential deportation of undocumented Azorean emigrants under the new U.S. administration.

“We are not alarmed, but we remain vigilant and committed to monitoring the situation. The Regional Government will do everything possible to ensure the necessary support for our emigrants,” Bolieiro assured.

He further stressed that “joint efforts between the Azorean authorities and U.S. political leaders are essential if we wish to take effective action on this matter.”

In addition to Senator Michael Rodrigues, the meeting was attended by Senators Mark Montigny (New Bedford), John Cronin (Fitchburg), and Patrick O’Connor (Weymouth), all of whom expressed their commitment to collaborating with the Regional Government.

This meeting served as an opportunity to reinforce cooperation between the Azorean authorities and Massachusetts representatives, strengthening support for the Azorean community and deepening the ties between the Azores and the United States.

Source: https://portal.azores.gov.pt/