Rise Together’s Post

Stop to consider: in the time it takes to count to two, another person is forcibly displaced from their home because of conflict or persecution. They need our help and welcome, but tragically, narratives around immigration in the U.S. increasingly depict people in need of safety as security threats, drains on resources or opportunists. To the contrary, embracing and empowering these talented, resilient individuals and families as they rebuild their lives is a smart investment in our country’s future. Right here in Baltimore, new Americans account for approximately 8% of Baltimore City’s population, but own around 70,000 homes and 22,000 businesses, boasting spending power of $9 billion dollars. As they make the most of an area that’s ranked as one of the best in the U.S. for immigrants, it’s clear these newcomers are more than willing to lay down roots here, contribute to Baltimore’s economy and culturally enrich our neighborhoods. But statistics only tell part of the story. Each figure represents a human being with hopes and dreams of a better life for themselves and their loved ones. Check out my latest op-ed in the Baltimore Sun about the amazing contributions immigrants and refugees bring to our city and how you can help. https://lnkd.in/eyqX_hGd

On day 5️⃣ of our 1️⃣2️⃣ days of #migrationresearch we're looking at trust & policy preferences. In this article @Anne-Marie Jeannet, Tobias Heidland, and Martin Ruhs look at how political trust matters for citizens’ policy preferences. They find that people with low ⬇️ trust in European political institutions are more ⬆️ supportive of restrictive 🚫 refugee and asylum policies. But, even distrusting individuals *can* support asylum and refugee protection policies *if* the policies include some control features (e.g. limits or conditions). Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/df66DSJz European Political Science Review | Cambridge Core Want a copy of all the 1️⃣2️⃣ days of #migrationresearch in one place for easy reading? 👇👇👇 Sign up for our newsletter & receive 📥 a copy in your inbox: https://loom.ly/qZDpYCU

From 2005 to 2019, refugees and asylees contributed $123.8 billion in revenue to the government according to a recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report. Asylum seekers’ positive impact on the economy is undeniable. It’s time to #LetAsylumSeekersWork.

On Labor Day, let's recognize the refugees that have played significant roles in revitalizing local and national economies. Here's to the the Somalis who helped Lewiston, Maine, become a thriving town again, and the Bosnians who did the same for St. Louis, Missouri. Here's to politicians who recognize these contributions and encourage them, such as Republican Governor of Vermont, Phil Scott. Here's to the cities committed to resettlement, such as Utica, New York's, where bringing in refugees is seen as not only as a humanitarian imperative, but as, "a pioneering economic tool for revitalizing the Rust Belt." A recent study from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that over a 15-year period (2005-2019), the positive net fiscal impact of refugees and asylees on state and national economies was nearly $124 billion. Looking at all this, Emma Lazarus's iconic words "I lift my lamp beside the golden door," take on a deeper meaning: America is not only a place of opportunity for those fleeing home, it's a country where their success contributes immeasurably to our own. https://lnkd.in/eMWeUTR3

🌟 Breaking News 🌟 Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller is taking action to address family reunification delays in Quebec. Despite Quebec's cap on applicants, which Miller deems "artificially low," his ministry will grant permanent residency to over 20,000 individuals seeking to unite with their loved ones in the province. Miller emphasizes the urgency, describing the backlog as a humanitarian crisis and stressing the importance of social justice. Stay tuned for further updates on this significant development. #FamilyReunification #SocialJustice #ImmigrationCanada 🇨🇦✨

A new paper from WCER Researcher Matthew Wolfgram and UW-Oshkosh's Paul Van Auken explores how US refugee resettlement policy steers refugees into low-income jobs by prioritizing rapid economic self-sufficiency over the pursuit of higher education & professional jobs in "The Time Politics of Refugee Resettlement and Higher Education in the United States." go.wisc.edu/ebv2qx

"As capacity restrictions and time limits at shelters intensify, advocates say they’re scrambling to pick up the slack to keep migrant families safe — often without adequate resources." https://lnkd.in/gqDPvwNS “To meet the worldwide migration challenges of the 21st century, we need the federal government to work in partnership with states and localities to humanely and efficiently receive noncitizens who arrive after traversing oceans, harsh landscapes, and dangerous situations in the hopes of joining the fabric of America,” said Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock, Supervisory Policy & Practice Counsel at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “[The Destination Reception Assistance Act] is a sensible solution to addressing the economic realities of certain costs currently borne by cities and states and sets them up to benefit from the long-term contributions we know that immigrants inevitably provide to receiving communities. When we invest in our shared future, we make America stronger.” READ more here: https://lnkd.in/debdNgYX

Community Leaders Announce Webinar Series Aiming to Contextualize Chicago’s Newest Migration Wave Today, Alianza Americas, the Latino Policy Forum, Center for Immigrant Progress, The Resurrection Project, and the National Immigrant Justice Center, announced a three-part webinar series titled “Contextualizing the Migrant Crisis Narrative,” that will explore the root causes of migration to the United States, the response from the City of Chicago and the network of local communities, and the historical and recent wounds in the relationship between different marginalized communities in Chicago. Don't miss these critical conversations taking place Jan. 18th, and Feb. 1st and 22nd. Follow the link below to learn more and register. #Migrants #MigrantJustice #Chicago #LatinAmerica

Status Matters: Exploring the Impact of Immigration Status on Poverty in Canada. Join Emilio Rodriguez from Citizens for Public Justice on May 17 for an interactive workshop exploring the role that immigration status plays in economic outcomes for migrants in Canada. This workshop is rooted in the lived experience of migrant communities and the advocates who work alongside them. Inspired by the book "A Renewed Canadian Welcome: Eleven Visions from Migrants and Advocates," set to be published by McGill-Queen's University Press. Participants will be immersed in a comprehensive exploration of how various immigration statuses—ranging from undocumented, to temporary foreign workers, to permanent residents—affect access to social services, employment opportunities, and legal protections. Through a blend of presentations, group discussions, and hands-on exercises, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers faced by migrants in Canada, and the policy solutions that could foster a more inclusive and equitable immigration system. Join in-person or online. For more information and to register, visit https://lnkd.in/gx3VPRSE Offered as part of the Canadian Poverty Institute's annual Poverty Studies Summer Institute. #Immigration #Migrant #MigrantRights #Poverty

📗 Growing together 📘 Much has been said about deepening social divisions in the face of current economic and political conflicts. Immigration seems to pose a particular threat to social cohesion. However, the outcomes are not always negative, as WZB researcher Clara van den Berg can show. She has investigated, that civil society engagement for #refugees also strengthens the host society. This is good news in the current #migration and #integration debate. In the research project “The Activated Civil Society” Clara van den Berg and her colleagues performed a qualitative comparison between four medium-sized German cities. Their focus was on the networks between civil society organizations and groups involved in refugee aid during the long summer of migration around 2015, but the observation period extended into 2021. Their study shows, that local civil societies can play a key role in ensuring social cohesion. Individual groups not only grow closer together, they also act as mediators in conflicts. The groups that emerged between 2015 and 2021 often face hostility from the right and have to justify themselves. Advocating for immigration is not easy in times of critical public sentiment. But precisely because of the great potential for conflict, the research has important implications for policymaking. Especially in times when social cohesion is eroding and democratic societies are in danger, it is essential to strengthen civil society, especially at the local level. This can be achieved through public funding for projects, the provision of physical spaces for engagement (especially in times of rising rents), and active support from local administrators. In the two cities, where the civil society communities flourished between 2015 and 2021, politicians and dedicated individuals in the administrations played a decisive role. One of the lessons learned from the study is this: The alliance between administrators and #civilsociety was a key step and remains crucial for the future of an active civil society. Find the whole article from the Online edition of our WZB research magazine here 🔽 https://lnkd.in/ek6_xS5P Teresa Völker Lennart Schürmann