Dear Joe:
In the wake of years of silence by so many, I was delighted to hear you recently ask Mayor Frank Jackson why he does not embrace “immigrant-friendly” policies. For the second year in a row, you had the courage to raise this issue at the Mayor’s State of the City address, in front of thousands of people. I think many of them were shocked that the question was even asked, let alone two years in a row! Silence….as we are told….is supposed to be golden.
Thank you for everything you do. You are a warrior-poet and your work is a constant reminder that we can do better and make Northeast Ohio a premier destination for everyone, including refugees, undocumented immigrants, all immigrant families, immigrant entrepreneurs, international students, and foreign investors.
It is a shame that so many of our local leadership ignore this clarion call to build the necessary infrastructure of an “Immigrant-Friendly” city as ONE part of an economic development strategy to boost the population, tax base, and job-creating startups. Inclusion for all is the only sustainable way for growth and equity.
A fast-paced movement has taken shape in city halls around the Midwest to to embrace immigration-based economic development for the benefit of local citizens. Mayors in Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Grand Rapids, Philly, Schenectedy, Syracuse, and so many others have initiated plans to support and attract immigrants as part of their city’s expansion efforts.
Words alone won’t do it.
There needs to be an action plan, investment to fund that plan, and champions to execute it. Cleveland has the latter (in fact, it’s loaded!). But the shining city along the lake is woefully missing the the political will, the plan and the funding.
Cleveland City Hall, the Cleveland Foundation and the Gund Foundation should not waste another moment. They should announce their own plan without delay — and it can start with launching the Office of New Americans in Cleveland City Hall.
Here are a few examples of other cities’ plans and initiatives
Chicago
Mayor’s Office for New Americans
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/supp_info/chicago_new_americansplan.html
Dayton
Welcome Dayton
http://www.welcomedayton.org/about/
Detroit
Global Detroit
St. Louis
Mosaic
http://www.stlmosaicproject.org/
Philly
Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
http://www.welcomingcenter.org/
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant & Multicultural Affairs
Columbus
Mayor’s New American Initiative
http://www.columbus.gov/Templates/Detail.aspx?id=65002
The national media has been covering this “immigrant-friendly city” movement over the past couple of years. CNN. Wall Street Journal. USA Today. Recent stories in the New York Times (including a front page story) capture the momentum:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/us/ailing-cities-extend-hand-to-immigrants.html?_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/24/us/immigrants-seen-as-way-to-refill-detroit-ranks.html
All of this coverage omits the mention of Cleveland as an example of an immigrant-friendly city.
There is a reason for that.
Heck, even small Ohio towns like Springfield are getting in the game!
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/clark-county-proposal-embraces-immigrants/ndH2q/
So, I had to scratch my head, listening to Mayor Jackson at the recent state of the city address a few weeks ago, when he said that Cleveland will welcome immigrants, back-tracking from his infamous “we will take care of our own” mantra in response to your question from 2013. (Incidentally, in case you are counting, this is at least the third time that Jackson has reversed position on immigration-based economic development over the past 8 years: first against, then for, then against, now (after the election), apparently for.)
In this year’s state of the city, while the rhetoric was improved, the Mayor made no mention of a plan. Where’s the beef?
Here is the tweet that the Mayor’s office sent out after his state of the address:
“City of Cleveland @CityofCleveland Mar 5
Broad sense of immigration approach needed. Provide an environment for immigrants to choose Cleveland. A city of choice #SOCLE“
What does this mean? Now that the election is over, is this amorphous statement merely a PR stunt? More of the same?
We need to change the trajectory.
Joe, by boldly asking the questions, publicly, directly, and politely, you ARE changing the game.
As the city continues to lose population and lag other cities in startups, jobs and economic growth, I hope others will do the same.
Ask the questions. Publicly. Often. And without fear.
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