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.
First-Generation Mexican-American Serves His Community Through His Business
At age 10, Victor Puga left his native Mexico for Kentucky. Since his father had been naturalized through the Reagan Amnesty of 1986, Puga arrived as a U.S. citizen. Still, his path wasn’t easy. He became a father at a young age and dropped out of school to work for… Read More
Bosnian Refugee Helps Start National Trucking Company from Scratch
Amira Zukic came to America with close to nothing, but after learning English and working hard, she and her husband now run one of Kentucky’s largest trucking companies, with $17 million in annual revenues. The secret to their success? “A lot of work, a lot of work, a lot… Read More
Michigan Graduates First Class of Seal of Biliteracy Recipients as Top State Employers Seek Bilingual Talent
LANSING, MI – Today, New American Economy (NAE) joins Michigan business leaders and educators to congratulate the state’s first class of Seal of Biliteracy recipients. Created by the Department of Education last year, the Seal of Biliteracy formally recognizes high school graduates who are proficient in more than one… Read More
Arkansas Catholic: Immigrants contribute more than $2 billion to LR area
Immigrants make the city of Little Rock rich beyond just cultural diversity. Their presence creates $2 billion for the state. According to recently released research conducted by the New American Economy along with the Little Rock Regional Chamber and the City of Little Rock, foreign-born residents of the metro Little… Read More
Dallas News: Detroit, St. Louis and other Rust Belt cities look to immigrants to revive their economies
In Texas, a lot of effort and taxpayer money go into recruiting businesses. Should more go into recruiting immigrants? That sounds counterintuitive, even controversial, given that so many immigrants live here already and statewide leaders often take a hard line on immigration and border security. But it’s a strategy that’s been… Read More
The Daily Inni: Champaign County immigration impact report shows need for inclusive community
On Wednesday, the University YMCA released the Gateways for Growth Community Data Report for Champaign County. The report was put together by New American Economy, a national organization aimed at documenting the impact of immigrants on the nation’s economy. Deborah Frank Feinan, mayor of Champaign, made an opening statement at… Read More
Dallas News: Trump backlash? Dallas, Houston and others put out the welcome mat for immigrants
As in America, there are two kinds of Texas. One pushes a bathroom bill that targets transgender students and dismisses the hit on Texas’ business-friendly image, and the other rises up in opposition and holds off the measure. One passes a “show me your papers” law that bans sanctuary cities, and… Read More
The News-Gazette: Immigration panelists: Integration requires bridging culture-shock gap
In front of a packed room Wednesday, a panel discussed what Champaign County can do with newly-published data on its immigrant population, as well as which efforts are already underway. The Gateways for Growth Community Data Report, compiled by the University YMCA’s New American Welcome center and the New American… Read More
WCIA: County recognized for immigrant growth
The University YMCA’s New American Welcome Center is hosting a meeting to talk about immigration impact. Members are going over results of a report showing the demographic and economic contributions immigrants in Champaign County have made. The county was recognized as a recipient of the Gateways for Growth Award; given to communities with… Read More
Smile Politely: The University YMCA released an Immigration Impact Report
The University YMCA, along with New American Economy, has released a Gateways for Growth Community Data report today, which details the contributions of immigrants in Champaign County (general take: they contribute a lot). Last year, the Y established a New American Welcome Center here, designed to help immigrants integrate fully… Read More
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