Atlanta Joins Pro-Immigration National Initiative
Atlanta Joins Pro-Immigration National Initiative
At an AS/COA immigration forum, Atlanta’s Mayor Kasim Reed announced the city will be joining Welcoming America’s initiative to support the inclusion of immigrants into the local life.
Atlanta’s participation in the Welcoming America initiative is a necessary first step in the city’s quest to become a global commercial center, Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, told Global Atlanta Oct. 25.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced the city’s commitment to join the grassroots initiative at an Oct. 22 luncheon sponsored by the New York-based Council of the Americas. The council is an American business organization formed to promote free trade, democracy and open markets throughout the Americas.
Mr. Gonzalez applauded the mayor’s announcement that Atlanta was joining cities such as Austin, Texas; Baltimore, Md.; Chicago; Nashville, Tenn.; New York and many others in the Welcoming America initiative. The initiative provides cities with resources and guidelines to support the inclusion of immigrants into mainstream American life.
He added, however, that he hoped the mayor additionally would work to influence the state’s congressional delegation to reach a bipartisan solution on immigration legislation in the U.S. Congress.
“This is a welcomed effort,” he added. “Georgia has a bad reputation internationally because of the legislation that it passed a few years ago and we need to see what steps must be taken to overcome this.”
During the luncheon at the Georgian Terrace Hotel downtown, Mr. Reed said his administration would engage with immigrant communities in the development of the local economy....
