Tag: immigrant economic development

  By Sharon Simonson SAN JOSE—Even as nativist opposition to immigration roils national political discourse, in dozens of American communities nationwide the foreign-born are emerging as heroes of local economies. In historic immigrant gateways including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago as well as less traditional immigrant entry-points from Atlanta, Ga., to Denver, Colo., cities, mayors and other local leaders are targeting the foreign-born with new offices and resources. In Rust Belt cities from Detroit to Cleveland to Pittsburgh, Penn., advocates are calling the movement “immigrant economic development” and touting immigration as a solution to declining populations and unstable economies. A 2012 study of the Saint Louis metropolitan area includin...