Changing Culture

Demographic Change Is Hard, Especially When Our Leaders Stoke Our Worst Fears

After more than 20 years in the immigrant justice movement, I confess that I missed the mark. In my drive to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees, I was blind to some key realities taking root in America. I failed to see the surge of cultural anxiety driven by… Read More

Talking Turkey About America’s Most Pressing Issues

Each year, we gather around dinner tables at Thanksgiving with people we love—but don’t necessarily agree with—when it comes to politics and the direction of the country. The political discourse of the past several years has left many people feeling that their values are under attack. They disagree with or… Read More

How Cities Are Building Inclusive Communities

What do you envision when you think of a community that is welcoming? Researchers have developed ways of defining and evaluating how welcoming cities are across the United States. The results are in—Midwestern cities are leading the pack. According to New American Economy, which produced an index of the 100… Read More

Welcoming Week 2019 Showcases America’s Inclusive Spirit

Welcoming Week 2019 has arrived. Communities around the nation are spending the week of September 13 – 22 bringing together immigrants, refugees, and longtime residents in a spirit of unity and celebration. Despite the daily news on immigration, Americans are far more welcoming than one might think. In fact, average… Read More

Immigration “Restrictionists” Hitting Their Stride Under Trump, But We Can Stop Them

Short-term thinking is inferior to long-term thinking, some argue, because it does a disservice to the future and those who will live it. Two long-term thinkers who have profoundly impacted U.S. immigration policy were recently in the headlines: John Tanton and Cordelia Scaife May. Both helped give rise to… Read More

Community Support Flows Into El Paso After Mass Shooting

El Paso, Texas suffered a horrific tragedy on Saturday when a gunman entered a local Walmart and opened fire. The gunman—who was emboldened by racist rhetoric to specifically target immigrants and Latinos—ultimately murdered 22 people and wounded 26. In the wake of this anguish, people are… Read More

86 Conversations Across US Show Public Opinion on Immigration Is Complex Yet Changeable

The American public can still deliberate civilly with one another about issues of national importance. The most recent example comes from The Kettering Foundation who hosted 86 conversations across America on the topic of immigration through their National Issues Forums (NIF). The resulting report from these… Read More

Read the 2019 ‘Celebrate America’ Fifth Grade Creative Writing Contest Winning Entry

The American Immigration Council is proud to announce the winner of the 22nd Annual Celebrate America Fifth Grade Creative Writing Contest. The contest encourages educators to incorporate lessons on U.S. immigration into their classrooms and gives fifth graders the opportunity to explain, in their own words, why they are proud… Read More