Harper Extends a Key Task Force whose Mission is to Improve the Lives of Black Immigrants

SPRINGFIELD, Ill – Continuing her commitment to improving the well-being of Black immigrants, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is ensuring that a key task force is provided with the necessary resources to achieve its goal of making sure Black immigrants—often not given a seat at the table during immigration discussions—flourish. 

“It goes without saying that the Black community already suffers from systemic racism at disproportionate rates and that sad reality is even more prevalent when it comes to our Black immigrants who have come to our state in pursuit of a better life,” Harper said. “We want to give them that chance and that’s why it is more than important that we have specific task forces in place whose primary focus is getting to the root cause of the unique challenges their community faces and coming up with meaningful solutions together.” 

Since taking office, Harper has been a voice for the voiceless and taking the lead on the passage of House Joint Resolution 4, which extends the Task Force on Black Immigrants’ deadline for reporting its findings to the end of 2025, is no different.

The task force was created in House Joint Resolution 18 from 2023 and their objective is to study the state of Black Immigrants and give recommendations on how to assist them, ultimately identifying ways resources can be allocated to them, particular modified policies, and ways communities can rally behind them. 

Harper’s new measure grants the task force extended time to fill the vacant spots and appoint all of the proper persons to the required seats.