Mayors Innovation Project
A peer learning network for mayors and city leaders.

Good Ideas for Cities: Welcoming and Protecting Immigrants

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Chalkboard with the words "Everyone is Welcome"

By Stella D’Acquisto • Mayors Innovation Project

Immigrants form an important and influential part of our cities and communities, yet American immigration governance is largely housed in the federal government. This can make it difficult for local elected officials to support immigrants, particularly those who may not be receiving the protection they need from the federal or state governments. People who arrive in the US as refugees or asylum-seekers may not have had the time to prepare for migration, and may need additional resources to help them integrate into the community. Undocumented immigrants and their families are also at risk of deportation by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other law enforcement. Studies have shown that immigrants have a largely positive impact on local and national economies, and that undocumented immigration does not lead to an increase in violent crime. Still, cities may also struggle to adapt to a sudden influx of immigrants. This article explores some of the ways cities can support and work with immigrants, from becoming a “sanctuary city” or similar categorization, to creating employment opportunities and communal support systems.

Sanctuary Cities: San Francisco, CA & Denver, CO

The label of the “sanctuary city” has become well-known in the past decade, though it is not an official legal term. In general, sanctuary policies surround cities’ and states’ ability to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. Under the constitution, state and local governments are not required to fulfill the obligations of the federal government, including immigration. To make use of this legal principle, cities put sanctuary legislation in place that instructs police, prisons, and other city employees on how to interact with federal immigration enforcement. 

San Francisco was one of the first “sanctuary cities,” with its 1989 “City and County of Refuge” Ordinance prohibiting city employees from devoting city resources to immigration authorities. Their 2013 “Due Process for All” Ordinance further limits city employees’ collaboration with ICE officials, with (for example) prohibitions on cooperation with ICE detainer requests. The San Francisco government frames sanctuary policies as public safety measures which allow all community members to access public health services and to work with local police and fire departments without fear of deportation.

However, use of the term “sanctuary city” has at times been a source of controversy, so some cities are attempting to put sanctuary policies in place without labeling them as such. Denver’s 2017 “Public Safety Enforcement Priorities Act” avoided the term “sanctuary” altogether, focusing its language around public safety and independence from the federal government.

Welcoming Cities: Lancaster, PA 

The “welcoming city” may provide a potential alternative to the sanctuary city model. Where sanctuary policies focus on limiting cooperation with immigration authorities, welcoming cities are more generally focused around creating a welcoming and supportive environment for immigrants – and for everyone. Cities can undergo an official certification process through Welcoming America, which presents general guidelines for cities to follow. Some of the major components of a welcoming city include ensuring education, safety, multilingual resources, and economic opportunity for immigrants, as well as strong refugee resettlement programs and pathways to citizenship. Welcoming cities should ensure that all social services are accessible to non-citizen residents and that there are additional resources available to make life more equitable for them. Daniel Valdez, Welcoming America’s Chief External Affairs Officer shared with us recently, “mayors and elected officials have a crucial role in helping build the future we want for the next generations. One in which creativity, foresight, and human and ecological diversity are the foundation for a society that survives and thrives together.”  

In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a 2024 welcome city ordinance was met with criticism from some city council and community members, particularly about a component that would prevent city employees from asking residents about their immigration status. Supporters of the ordinance, including Mayor Danene Sorace, emphasized that it was not a sanctuary city policy and that it simply formalized a policy the city already unofficially followed. While the ordinance does not prevent city officials from cooperating with ICE, it puts in place more inclusive policies to help immigrants navigate social services. Lancaster is certified by Welcoming America, and is currently undergoing a public engagement process to inform their Welcome Initiative and celebrating Welcoming Week with events throughout September. 

Supporting Immigrants Upon Arrival

It can be difficult for cities to respond to a sudden influx of immigrants, something that has become increasingly common with border states like Florida and Texas sending asylum-seekers to northern cities without warning. 

  • Nashville, Tennessee, saw an increase in immigrants earlier this year. By creating an immigrant caucus, the Nashville metro council gave its significant immigrant population a stronger voice in local government. 
  • Philadelphia welcomed its first bus of immigrants seeking asylum in Nov. 2022, and has engaged a powerful coalition of staff, partners, and volunteers to support them through the City’s Welcome Center. The City has also worked to create a positive, asset based narrative around welcoming as a core city value and launched the Philadelphia Welcoming Fund to fund area nonprofit organizations supporting arriving immigrants. 
  • Greensboro, North Carolina, prepared for an influx of unaccompanied children through the Office of Refugee Resettlement by creating a “center for migrant children” that can house up to 800 children and teens. Two dedicated elementary schools cater to immigrant and refugee children, with courses in English as a second language, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and trauma counseling, in addition to the standard courses. 

Attracting Immigrants

Some US cities are actively incentivizing immigrants from other areas to move to their cities. St. Louis is trying to attract immigrants living in Chicago and other parts of the midwest. In 2023, Mayor Tishaura Jones created the Office of New Americans to boost St. Louis’ economy as well as its declining population. The goal of the office is to make St. Louis an attractive place for immigrants to settle by providing resources like multilingual access to government services and affordable housing. It also works closely with civil society organizations like the International Institute of St. Louis, which works with the federal Humanitarian Parole Program to provide immigrants with work permits, housing, and job opportunities as soon as they arrive. Local businesses hire immigrants in the program,  providing immigrants with stable work and business with much-needed workers. 

In Topeka, Kansas, the Choose Topeka program is attracting immigrant and/or Latino families. It pays them up to $15,000 if they rent or buy homes in Topeka and work for a participating local business. Clarkston, Georgia, proclaims itself as the “Ellis Island of the South,” and has created a welcoming culture with strong community partnerships that support the hiring and training of immigrants at local businesses. These strategies are reframing immigration as a smart economic strategy that benefits both immigrants and the cities that take them in. 

 

Want to learn more about how to support immigrants in your city? Check out these articles about how cities around the country are working with immigrant populations: