Jan. 20, 2021, marks the public ceremony of the presidential inauguration for the Biden-Harris administration. With many proposals expected during the first 100 days, at least a dozen of these focus on immigration policies alone. This timeline for change may alter, especially as President-elect Biden enters office with a high priority to combat the increasing rates of COVID-19. Fortunately, many local communities can begin the advocacy journey and promote integration of newcomers and long-standing residents today. After all, creating inclusive and welcoming communities aligns directly with the upcoming presidential inauguration theme, “Our Determined Democracy: Forging a More Perfect Union.”

Over the years, the Center for Immigrant Integration has highlighted over 60 ways to promote integration at the local level, ranging from challenging unwelcoming remarks about immigrants, to volunteering, to offering various monthly initiatives. A new year brings new opportunities.

Whether you are looking to implement simple, one-day events or are looking to introduce long-term and reoccurring initiatives, promoting immigrant integration can take place in various ways. It is important to assess the need and readiness of your community. The Center for Immigrant Integration has three surveys that focus on the perspective of the community, client, and agency. Each survey is designed to provide a multi-perspective picture of immigrant integration in your community. The data collected from each survey can help develop a local integration initiative that reflect the needs and wants of your members in your community.

Next, don’t be afraid to engage with local elected officials. While CLINIC is pushing for the new administration to create an Office of New Americans within the White House and to develop a federal definition of integration, many cities have their own office of immigrant affairs supported by local officials. Having a dedicated office at the local government level to support immigrants and refugees helps set the stage for broader integration efforts. In addition to creating a space that actively seeks to highlight and welcome diversity and inclusion, these offices provide equal access to resources and services. Listen to CLINIC’s recorded 4-part webinar series: Promoting Immigrant Integration in Partnership with City Government for basic tips in collaborating and establishing a partnership with local government.

Lastly, this year has been a roller coaster of events and many of us are feeling fatigue from COVID-19, the elections or simply feeling burnt out. Hosting a virtual lunch or coffee and conversation event is one way to relax and connect with new community members. For more ideas, read other initiatives implemented by CLINIC affiliates.

If you aren’t quite ready to step into action and instead want to know how and where to start, read CLINIC’s Step by Step Guide to Local Integration Programming. Promoting immigrant integration ensures that families stay together while keeping people safe with equal access to basic services. Immigrant integration creates a community that people feel part of and dedicated to. A community that celebrates diversity is a thriving community.

Do you have an integration initiative you would like CLINIC to highlight? Share with us today!

This article was originally published in 2019. However, it has been updated to reflect changes to the annual event caused by COVID-19.

Last year, the Center for Immigrant Integration had the opportunity to highlight FaithAction International House in Greensboro, N.C. The CLINIC affiliate hosts an annual Multicultural Thanksgiving event, bringing members of the community together to enjoy one another’s company, eat delicious food representing different countries, and dance and sing to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. However, like most events in 2020, the in-person event is canceled due to COVID-19.

As an alternative, Rev. David Fraccaro put together a Multicultural Thanksgiving Recipe book using recipes shared by staff, volunteers, community members and clients. “It is our hope that families might be inspired to try something new for Thanksgiving, based on a recipe from one of their newest neighbors,” explained Rev. David Fraccaro in his email to clients and volunteers encouraging participation.

Although there won’t be an in-person community event this year, families and clients of FaithAction will still receive a Thanksgiving meal to-go. The meals include a turkey, tortillas, dinner rolls, dry and canned beans, vegetables, desserts and a bag of Maseca¹ , in addition to a new recipe to try. While the Multicultural Thanksgiving Recipe book hasn’t been compiled yet, one can expect it to be filled with delicious and diverse meals. FaithAction serves and advocates alongside 3,000 immigrant families from over 60 nations, each year.

This event is made possible with the help and assistance of volunteers from the community as well as partners in the community such as the Jewish Reform Congregation, Presbyterian Congregation and volunteers from the state healthcare agency.

FaithAction offers various services such as food, housing, health care assistance, legal services, back to school support, holiday drives and have provided over 20,000 FaithAction ID cards to those unable to obtain a government issued ID, expanding the innovative program to over a dozen cities across the nation. Recently, the CLINIC affiliate has been providing tens of thousands of dollars for rent and bill payments for families affected by COVID-19, in addition to paying filing fees for 40 DACA recipients. Over the last two years, FaithAction visited detained clients via a 16-hour rounds trip to the Stewart Detention Center. They’ve also published a book of moving visitor testimonies entitled: Making Our Way to Lumpkin, and launched, a $30,000 Immigrant Bond Fund along with the book to help release detained clients and reunite them with their families.

CLINIC applauds FaithAction International House for their continued efforts to advocate for immigrant rights but also promoting integration during these challenging times. Learn more about FaithAction International House and be on the lookout for the upcoming Multicultural Thanksgiving Recipe book!

Share with us your community’s integration efforts for an opportunity to be featured in CLINIC’s monthly highlights!

¹ A popular corn flour from Mexico that is commonly used to make handmade tortillas