US cities race to attract immigrants
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced plans to make Atlanta’s immigrant population feel more welcome in order to boost the city’s “cultural fabric, economic growth and global competitiveness.”
Atlanta is not the only city in the South embracing a vision that recognizes the potential benefits of demographic change. Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Louisville, Ky. have all pledged to create an immigrant-friendly climate, bucking not only a recent trend in the region but also the rhetoric on immigration coming from some corners on Capitol Hill. These cities are joined by dozens more pursuing policies that celebrate their diverse communities and ensure inclusion and opportunity for all people, including immigrants.