IMMIGRANT

INTRODUCTIONto ensure they are appropriate for the local context. Local actors seeking to employ some of the strategies outlinedin this Guide must customize the model to their own local institutions, economic and labor environments, andprivate industry mix.One reason that this work might be considered part of a new movement is that the work often arises from a newand unique perspective—focusing on how the regional (non-immigrant) population and economy can benefit fromimmigration, rather than just focusing on immigrants. Most often, these initiatives have not emanated from theimmigrant rights or social service sectors—although there can be quite a lot of overlap and collaboration with workfrom those movements. Instead, these immigrant economic development initiatives have a diverse range of creationstories that are more likely to include local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and businessthan they are to include activists for immigrant rights. The initiatives view immigrant communities as assets to benurtured and grown as a means of producing economic opportunity for the entire region.It is no accident that Welcoming America has become a natural ally to many of these local economic developmentefforts. Welcoming America has long embraced the notion that true integration depends as much on addressing theconcerns, fears, and aspirations of incumbent or receiving communities, as it does on addressing the concerns, fears,and aspirations of immigrant communities. Similarly, the immigrant economic development movement cares as muchabout broad prosperity and growth and the impacts on incumbent communities, as it does on immigrant prosperityand growth.Asking the question of how a local economic development strategy can incorporate and benefit from theimmigrants within the region, as well as future immigrants, can be a paradigm shift. It can highlight newopportunities. And it can inspire new actors and partnerships. We hope that this Guide provides you with somebasic tools, insights, ideas, and models to assist you in this journey.Visions for a Prosperous AmericaThe past four decades have witnessed historic immigration to the United States. The world’s nations are moreconnected and interrelated than at any time in human history. These connections are not just technological, orthrough media and information, but are grounded in economics and by the exchange and flow of people as theymove around the globe. America has prospered for the last three centuries because of its ability to attract a diversepopulation of industrious, skilled, and innovative people fromacross the globe and—while far from perfectly or ideal—did well atintegrating these newcomers into the economy. American prosperityin the 21st Century depends, in part, on its ability to continue to leadas a destination for the world’s talent seeking economic opportunity.While the future of federal immigration reform remains uncertain,local economic development efforts appear to have increasingimportance. Were some form of comprehensive immigration reformto pass, similar to what Congress considered in 2014, areas withimmigrant economic development initiatives would have a head startat reaping some of the benefits of federal reform. Yet, even withoutThe past four decades have witnessedhistoric immigration to the UnitedStates. The world’s nations are moreconnected and interrelated than atany time in human history.federal immigration reform, local immigrant economic development initiatives help regional leaders tap into theincredible economic assets brought by our nation’s growing immigrant community.America is a nation of immigrants. The importance of immigration to America’s economic growth cannot beoverstated. James Fallows, The Atlantic’s national correspondent, is one of the nation’s many leading thinkers whobelieve that immigration is a pillar of America’s past and future prosperity:WELCOMING AMERICA | GUIDE TO IMMIGRANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | CHAPTER 19