Immigrant Integration

To identify and recognize the most comprehensive and innovative programs in the immigrant integration field, the Migration Policy Institute’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy invites individuals, non-profit organizations, community organizations, businesses, religious groups, government entities, agencies and officials operating in the United States to consider applying for the annual E. Pluribus Unum Prizes.

Integrating immigrants into the fabric of our communities presents challenges to communities across the country. The Congress of Cities in Phoenix provided opportunities to learn about different programs and policies to integrate immigrants into the community, economically, socially, and culturally.

Immigrant integration is happening “steadily,” albeit “unevenly,” in the United States, according to a new report. This is a big deal, not only because some progress is occurring but also because this news contrasts with what you get from your regular encounters with the news media and national leaders. It’s a neglected story and, when it’s told --- by local leaders and others --- it could contribute to re-shaping constructively the nation’s rather dismal national discourse on immigration. 
Emerging Issues is a monthly column in Nation's Cities Weekly written by NLC staff member Bill Barnes.

Public Safety Programs for the Immigrant Community addresses cities’ role in immigrant public safety and is designed to give cities a starting place to plan and improve their public safety outreach programs toward their local immigrant communities. The report, from NLC’s Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration Program highlights seventeen public safety programs and good practices from a diverse group of U.S cities and includes recommendations for developing immigrant public safety programs in other communities.

• Cities Recognized for Public Safety Programs in Immigrant Communities (June 8, 2011)
• Community Policing: Finding Common Ground with Immigrant Communities webinar

MAII has two components to support its efforts, the NewCITYzen Naturalization Campaign and the CITYzenship Community Initiative. MAII offers this direct assistance to its group of city partners and, through work with these city partners and organizational partners, has established a knowledge-sharing network across different cities and organizations. See the Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration brochure to learn more.



The NewCITYzen Naturalization Campaign focuses on highlighting the many benefits of naturalization – voting rights and beyond. Cities have the opportunity to use the Campaign Toolkit to launch naturalization campaigns in their communities. The Campaign Toolkit consists of television and radio public service announcements (PSAs); posters; and guidelines for effectively reaching immigrant communities.

The NewCITYzens Naturalization Campaign has been strategically designed and produced via television and radio PSA’s and collateral materials, such a poster and brochures, in both English and Spanish languages. The Campaign Branding Guidelines help to maintain and protect the identity of the campaign brand, while ensuring the delivery of a unique and consistent message across all campaign communication materials.

• NewCITYzen Brochure (English)
• NewCITYzen Brochure (Spanish)
• NewCITYzen Poster
• NewCITYzen Public Service Announcement (English) 
• NewCITYzen Public Service Announcement (Spanish)

 
The CITYzenship Community Initiative is designed to help city officials establish working relationships with immigrant communities and organizations. The centerpiece of the Community Initiative is the MAII Citizens' Academy curriculum. The curriculum serves as a starting point for cities to develop Citizens' Academies for immigrant residents. As part of the Community Initiative, MAII provides technical assistance to its city partners. Past Community Initiative efforts have included assistance with Census 2010 outreach and training sessions in the areas of diversity awareness and public safety in the immigrant community.

MAII Citizens' Academy Information 

Reports & Publications

Public Safety Programs for the Immigrant Community addresses cities’ role in immigrant public safety and is designed to give cities a starting place to plan and improve their public safety outreach programs toward their local immigrant communities. The report, from NLC’s Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration Program highlights seventeen public safety programs and good practices from a diverse group of U.S cities and includes recommendations for developing immigrant public safety programs in other communities.

This city practice brief highlights city and non-profit programs that either connect new immigrants to existing community resources or promote information and cultural exchange between old and new residents. Together, these strategies support an immigrant integration framework of community outreach, resource access and education to teach new residents about city services and civic responsibilities.

The new MAII report, Municipal Innovations in Immigrant Integration: 20 Cities, 20 Good Practices, describes local efforts to promote immigrant integration in a variety of ways. Small, medium-sized, and large cities are included to represent a range of possibilities.

Civic Engagement and Recent Immigrant Communities is a discussion guide that presents local officials with the first steps and directions for developing or re-establishing efforts toward integrating immigrants into the civic life of the city.

This Municipal Action Guide (MAG) highlights opportunities for local governments and community-based organizations to promote financial access and education among immigrant residents. The MAG also identifies different types of financial literacy programs and their purposes.

This report is the first in a series entitled Municipal Innovations in Immigrant Integration, American Cities Series. The Indianapolis Model, 2000-2007 focuses on the initiatives related to immigrant integration in the City of Indianapolis during the Peterson administration.

City Practices

Alejandra Harguth, Program Director for the Littleton Immigrant Resources Center (LIRC) discusses the services the program provides to Littleton's immigrant community at the 2010 City Showcase.  Its One-Stop Information Center provides area immigrants with information on employment, health, recreation, education, housing, legal issues, transportation, emergency needs, and more. The LIRC also encourages two-way integration by matching newcomers with community volunteers for friendship and cultural exchange, and it encourages citizenship and civic community involvement by coordinating citizenship mentoring programs, sponsoring English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and offering opportunities to participate in local activities and events.

Nation's Cities Weekly

Immigrant integration is happening “steadily,” albeit “unevenly,” in the United States, according to a new report. This is a big deal, not only because some progress is occurring but also because this news contrasts with what you get from your regular encounters with the news media and national leaders. It’s a neglected story and, when it’s told --- by local leaders and others --- it could contribute to re-shaping constructively the nation’s rather dismal national discourse on immigration. 
Emerging Issues is a monthly column in Nation's Cities Weekly written by NLC staff member Bill Barnes.

A recent report by Butler University Professors Roberto Curci and Robert Mackoy evaluates the integration of immigrant-owned businesses into local economies. Based on face-to-face interviews with 199 Hispanic business enterprises in Indianapolis, the study creates a framework that classifies immigrant-owned businesses as highly-segmented, product-integrated, market-integrated or highly-integrated.

Park officials, city planners and immigrant advocates are exploring ways to increase the use of city parks among local immigrant communities. Public parks represent important assets and services within cities and expanding their use can help in immigrant integration. Reports with more information and analysis of the issue include the 1993 study on Boulder, Colo., the 1987 study on Chicago, the 2004 study on Indianapolis, and most recently a New York City Parks Department report:"Parks for All New Yorkers: Immigrants, Culture, and NYC Parks.

MAII Update

The MAII Update is a quarterly e-newsletter that includes information about new MAII publications, conference announcements, and profiles of city programs.  Please contact gambetta@nlc.org to subscribe.

Winter 2011 | Spring 2011

Spring 2010 | Summer 2010

Spring 2009 | Summer 2009 | Fall 2009

Winter 2008 

The UN Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC) was established in 2005, at the initiative of the Governments of Spain and Turkey, under the auspices of the United Nations. UNAOC is an initiative of the UN Secretary-General which aims to improve understanding and cooperative relations among nations and peoples across cultures and religions, and to help counter the forces that fuel polarization and extremism. The UNAOC works in partnership with States, international and regional organizations, civil society groups, foundations, and the private sector to mobilize concerted efforts to promote cross-cultural relations among diverse nations and communities. The UNAOC migration program of the UNAOC aims at reinforcing efforts to harmonize the coexistence between newcomers and host communities worldwide. This is seen as critical in improving social cohesion and intercultural relations, and in shifting popular perceptions of migration –from threat to opportunity.

As the leading international organization in the field of migration, IOM works with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. To promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. Established in 1951, with 127 member states, a further 17 states holding observer status, and offices in more than 100 countries, IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. IOM works in the four broad areas of migration management: Migration and development; Facilitating migration; Regulating migration; and Forced migration.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Office of Public Engagement (OPE) coordinates and directs agency-wide dialogue with external stakeholders. OPE actively collaborates with, and seeks feedback from, stakeholders to inform USCIS policies, priorities, and organizational performance reviews. OPE facilitates open and transparent communication between the Agency, external stakeholders, and the customers they represent by sharing feedback, working with Agency leadership, coordinating follow-up, and reporting back to stakeholders.

The Community Relations and Engagement Division of OPE is responsible for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with community-based organizations, faith-based and advocacy groups, employer and employee associations, ESL/Civics instructors, international, business, legal, and law enforcement entities, and all other stakeholders who have daily interactions with the Agency and its customers. The division also manages a national network of USCIS Community Relations Officers (CROs) who forge critical local partnerships, inform stakeholders, and relay external feedback to the Agency.

Cities of Migration is led by the Maytree Foundation in Canada, with partners in Germany, Spain, the UK, and New Zealand. It is the first international initiative to connect global cities around shared issues of migration and immigrant integration. Launched in December 2008, the project now regularly reaches 5,500 global integration experts, practitioners and city leaders. In September 2009, Cities of Migration was recognized at a High Level Roundtable of the UN Alliance of Civilizations at UN HQ in New York on the "Inter-Ethnic City.”

NLC co-hosted a webinar with CoM called “Making Integration Count: Local Gateways to Citizenship”. The 60-minute webinar looks at how new gateway cities like Fort Wayne, Ind., and Oslo, Norway, are helping transform the immigrant experience.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) works tirelessly to find missing children and protect children against child sexual exploitation. NCMEC has built a national network, developed an array of state-of-the-art resources and technology, trained law enforcement and other professionals, and much more. NCMEC is the leading national organization in the missing and exploited children’s movement.

NCMEC’s External Affairs Department (EAD) serves as the prevention arm of the organization. With a focus on prevention and outreach, EAD works closely with public and private interest groups, non-profit organizations, community groups, and others to develop and maintain outreach initiatives. Through collaboration, the EAD is able to reach thousands of families and communities with the tools and resources to keep children safer from abduction and sexual exploitation.