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Three Boston city councilors of color have proposed the city create an office of Latino and Caribbean affairs to address the public health and welfare needs of those ethnic groups.
At-large Councilor Julia Mejia, District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell of Dorchester and District 5 Councilor Ricardo Arroyo of Hyde Park introduced an ordinance to establish the city office at the Council's meeting Aug. 9-
"The City of Boston needs to ensure that we are addressing their needs and concerns and I believe that the best way that we can meet this moment and be responsive to this demand is through the creation of an office dedicated to researching the needs of this community and ensuring access to city services," Mejia, who was born in the Dominican Republic, said during the meeting.
Latinos and Caribbeans make up a combined 30% of the city's population. Many have needs that cannot be met by the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Advancement because, for example, 40% of the city's Latinos are Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens.
Additionally, while Latino- and Caribbean-descended residents contribute to the city economically, culturally and socially,...