Can Immigrant Communities Help Rebuild Detroit?

Global Detroit director suggests the city’s population can’t rebound without immigrants

Gracie Xavier, Michigan Global Talent Retention Initiative

Global Detroit is working to build an immigrant-friendly city that is leveraging immigration to revitalize neighborhoods and grow the economy. And the organization says their work has received national recognition. Can Detroit serve as a model to attract and retain immigrant communities?

Director Steve Tobocman tells Detroit Today host Stephen Henderson that between 1960 and 1980, 29 of the 50 largest cities in the United States lost population. Since then, the populations of 14 of those cities have rebounded alongside growing immigrant communities.

“The number of cities that have grown their population without immigration growth: zero,” says Tobocman.

 

“We’re focused on talent, entrepreneurship, and building a global region,” he says.

To hear the full conversation, click on the audio player above.

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