July 14, 2016 - Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today welcomed the arrival of eight college students from the Mexican state of Puebla, who are participating in a one month exchange program at the Westchester Community College in Valhalla. The program is part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the areas of education and tourism between Westchester County and the state of Puebla. Astorino signed the MOU during a visit to Puebla in February as a guest of Governor Rafael Moreno Valle. Westchester is home to over 45,000 Mexican-Americans and the majority of them originated from Puebla, more specifically the municipality of Atzitzihuacán.
“I’m proud of Westchester’s connection to Puebla and I am happy to welcome the eight students who’ll be studying here these next four weeks and enjoying all that Westchester has to offer,” said Astorino. “Westchester is a very diverse county and I’m always pleased to learn more about the many different cultures, nationalities and religions we have here. And wherever possible, we should enhance ties with the countries and local regions of origins of our newly arrived immigrants. Respect is part of it, but it can also be very beneficial to Westchester in terms of the economy and tourism.”
During his visit in February, Astorino addressed the Congress of the State of Puebla.
Astorino has established a strong relationship with the Mexican Consulate of New York and has helped to host various Consulates on Wheels throughout Westchester, designed to help newly arrived immigrants.
Puebla’s Department of Education and Westchester Community College have partnered to develop the courses of study for the students. The eight students are staying with host families from July 10 through Aug 6.
Astorino was joined in welcoming the students by Dr. Belinda Miles, president of Westchester Community College and Diego Gómez-Pickering Consul General of Mexico in New York.