NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — New York State Assembly Speaker, Carl Heastie, has appointed Haitian/American Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages as the chair of the Legislative Task Force on New Americans.

Founded in 2001, the task force focuses on researching and advocating for policies and programmes that have a direct impact on the immigrant community throughout the state of New York.

Solages,31, who represents the 22nd district in the New York State Assembly, since 2013, is the first Haitian/American elected to the New York State legislature.

 “The foreign-born population has a substantial impact on New York, especially in suburban communities. They contribute to economic output, tax revenues, and play a significant role in creating small businesses. Rather than waste government resources on raids and walls, we should invest in our communities and crumbling infrastructure,” Solages said.

“I am the proud daughter of an [Haitian] immigrant …and as the chair of this Task Force, I will celebrate the diversity of our state and will push back against the rise of ‘extreme anti-immigration rhetoric’”, she added.