Meeting held at the Serbian Association in Glendale with the Deputy Mayor and Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs, Manuel Castro

After touring the Serbian Club’s premises and learning about its work, the hosts organized a luncheon for Commissioner Castro and his associates, during which many important issues were raised. The guests also had the opportunity to sample Serbian culinary specialties.

In his welcoming address, Consul General Božović emphasized the significance of this historic meeting, noting that this first-ever meeting between the Serbian Club representatives and the Deputy Mayor and Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs is the result of successful cooperation previously established by the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in New York with Commissioner Castro and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), with the aim of improving the position of the Serbian community in New York and assisting our citizens in exercising their rights.

Speaking on the history and significance of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the United States, he highlighted the contributions of Serbian scientists and inventors Nikola Tesla and Mihajlo Pupin, as well as many other known and unknown Serbs, to the development and construction of the United States and New York City.

Consul General Vladimir Božović expressed his gratitude to Deputy Mayor and Commissioner Castro and his team for everything they have done for the Serbian community, from the first meeting, when Commissioner Castro placed a Serbian šajkača on his head during the Serbian flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green Park on February 26, 2024, up to the present.

Commissioner Castro thanked Consul General Božović for initiating this meeting, as well as for the ongoing cooperation and the established relationship of mutual respect and trust. He particularly appreciated the Consul General’s initiative to translate MOIA announcements and brochures into Serbian Cyrillic, making information about services offered by the city to immigrant communities more accessible to the Serbian community.

Serbian Club President Mr. Bogdan Tešović welcomed the guests on behalf of the Serbian community and thanked the Consul General for organizing such an important meeting. He briefed Commissioner Castro on the history and activities of the Serbian Club, while Ms. Tanja Savić and Ms. Vana Kozlina, representing the Serbian School and the “Opančići” Folklore Ensemble, presented ongoing activities aimed at preserving the national identity and cultural heritage of Serbs in New York.

One of the founders and oldest members of the Serbian Club, Mr. Goran Milutinović, expressed gratitude to Commissioner Castro and Consul General Božović and emphasized the importance of this association as the first point of contact for newly arrived Serbian immigrants seeking assistance and advice.

Mr. Spasoje Žurić, representing the Serbian business community in New York on behalf of the company Piece of Cake, expressed thanks to the Consulate General and Consul General Božović for this initiative, which they consider very significant. He noted that their company employs over nine hundred workers, mostly from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the broader Balkan region, who perform their work diligently and professionally. He added that, despite certain challenges, they intend to continue operating successfully in accordance with U.S. and New York laws.

Commissioner Castro emphasized that the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and he personally are open to cooperation with the Serbian community. He noted that he himself came to this country as an undocumented child and therefore fully understands the experiences that immigrants face.

He presented the range of services New York City offers to immigrants, including free healthcare, legal assistance, education, English classes, and housing assistance for socially vulnerable individuals, providing detailed information about immigrants’ rights and how to access these services.

Responding to questions from the hosts regarding challenges faced by members of the Serbian community in New York, Commissioner Castro paid particular attention to the status of undocumented immigrants in light of ICE activity and fears of deportation, as well as the types of assistance the city offers in this regard.

Representatives of the Serbian community informed Commissioner Castro about issues important to Serbs in New York, including improving street safety, increasing the number of teachers and reducing class sizes, securing space for the Serbian School in local schools, including Orthodox Christmas in school calendars, addressing labor shortages in light of deportations, and challenges students without legal status face when enrolling in U.S. universities.

Commissioner Castro encouraged the Serbian community to submit all requests, questions, and initiatives to MOIA, either directly or through the Consulate General, and reminded them of the funds available to support activities of minority communities. He also informed participants about support available through the City of New York’s Office of Small Business Services (SBS).

The meeting, held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, was mutually assessed as extremely significant and beneficial, and as a first step toward substantial improvement of cooperation between the Serbian community and New York City authorities.

Representatives of the Serbian Club committed to sharing the valuable information obtained during the meeting with Commissioner Castro with as many members of the Serbian community in New York as possible, thereby informing them about the services the city offers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Consul General Vladimir Božović, thanking everyone, expressed his hope that joint activities aimed at improving the rights and status of the Serbian community in New York will continue to intensify and develop.