The Regional Government is committed to reintegrate deportees, assured the Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations in Angra do Heroísmo yesterday night.

Rodrigo Oliveira spoke on behalf of the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, at a Thanksgiving dinner offered to over 100 deported citizens and their respective families. The event was promoted by the Bristol County Sheriff, Tom Hodgson, with the support of the Regional Directorate for Communities, local social support organisations as well as associations from the Azorean communities on the East coast of the United States.

"This is a Government for all, a Government that works on a daily basis to provide opportunities for everyone," stressed the government official, who addressed "a word of encouragement" to deported emigrants and challenged them to seize these opportunities towards a full integration.

Rodrigo Oliveira highlighted the work carried out by the Government of the Azores in conjunction with U.S. and Canadian authorities in monitoring deportation processes. Moreover, the government official emphasised the role played by the Bristol County Sheriff, who is responsible for one of the most important detention centres for deported citizens, in the support provided to deportees and their families.

The dinner held on Thursday night was attended by nearly 120 deported citizens and their respective families. The same initiative will take place on São Miguel next Sunday at 12:30 PM. There will also a dinner organised for 100 children and teenagers placed at the care of social solidarity institutions.
 
The celebration of Thanksgiving Day is extremely important in the lives of Americans, a tradition dating back to the 17th century that was established as a national holiday by the Congress of the United States of America. The menu includes the traditional turkey and pumpkin pie. These products were imported from the United States for this occasion.