State and Local Initiatives

State and Local Initiatives

They say all politics is local, right? While most of the debate about immigration focuses on congressional action (or inaction), local communities across the country are the ones who feel the value of immigration most tangibly. Now active in more than 50 communities – more than 80 percent of which are in conservative states – the NAE State & Local team works with policymakers, business, and civic leaders to promote policies and programs that help create jobs and drive economic growth. You can explore more of our work on the state and local level here.

New Business Coalition, Texans for Economic Growth, and Texas Business Immigration Coalition Launch Texas Compact on Immigration

AUSTIN — Today marks the launch of Texans for Economic Growth, a coalition of 50 Texas business leaders and associations dedicated to recognizing and supporting the positive impact immigrants have on the Texas economy as business owners, taxpayers, and consumers. With its launch, the Coalition partnered… Read More

Fox News Opinion: Pastor: For me, immigration is biblical — Foreign-born congregants are human beings, not political problems

In May of 2016, I was called to be senior pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church, a prominent Oklahoma congregation in an area well-known for its luxurious homes and gated communities. Many didn’t realize at the time that immigrant and refugee families also resided within blocks of… Read More

Report: Cincinnati ranks among best U.S. cities for immigrants

Cincinnati is one of the most immigrant-friendly cities in the U.S., according to a new study. The Queen City ranked No. 18 out of 100 U.S. cities in the latest index by New American Economy (NAE), a New York-based research and advocacy coalition. The index scores the country’s largest… Read More

St. Louis Tribune Commentary: Two years after Muslim ban, Utah remains a bright spot of tolerance

Two years ago, I was so devastated when President Donald Trump announced sweeping travel restrictions against individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries that I silently cried at work. As an Iranian-American Muslim born in Stockton, Calif., I still had my rights. But I saw the impact on my… Read More

Fourteen Communities Across the United States Make a Commitment to Welcome New Americans

NEW YORK, NY – Building on the increasing demand from local government, business, and civic leaders who aim to develop concrete strategies to integrate immigrants, foster economic growth, and promote inclusion for all residents, New American Economy (NAE) and Welcoming America are pleased to announce the 14 communities who will receive… Read More

The Salt Lake Tribune Commentary: Why this conservative LDS member didn’t vote Republican

As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve always considered myself conservative. I believed the Republican Party best promoted the values of family and faith that define my moral core. Yet, during this last election, I did something I never thought I would do:… Read More

CNN Business Perspectives: How closing America’s doors on refugees like me will hurt the economy

Watching the migrant caravan edge north through Mexico, I’m reminded of my own family’s long, dangerous journey to America in the 1990s. These days, I’m a proud US citizen and a successful business owner — but I’m only here because the United States helped my family escape persecution. We’re from… Read More

The Virginian-Pilot Column: Churches, leaders must be open on immigration

AS A PASTOR and educator of young adults, I’ve been increasingly worried about the mass exodus of young people from the church. But the reason they give concerns me more: They can’t support the anti-immigrant or xenophobic sentiments that conservatives often express in the name of religion. Even I’m shocked… Read More

The Gazette Column: I’m 18, and I helped turn my district blue

Earlier this year, when President Donald Trump promoted his zero tolerance policy that resulted in thousands of immigrant families being separated, I felt heartbroken. Whenever he talks about building a wall, I feel angry. This is not the America I want. And so, when I turned 18 last May, I… Read More

Cleveland Plain Dealer Opinion: President Trump’s “public charge” policy for immigrants would hurt Cleveland – and time is running out to oppose it

CLEVELAND — When I was a kid, growing up in Cleveland’s St. Clair-Superior neighborhood, my parents struggled to make ends meet. My dad, the son of Slovakian immigrants, worked long hours at an electronics production plant and my mom, an immigrant from the former Yugoslavia, stayed home to take… Read More

America's story is an immigrant story.

logoimg