2018-192 City of Dallas Welcoming City InformationDate: December 21, 2018 Report No. 2018-192
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Provide background information about the recent resolution passed by the City of Dallas to adopt
the Welcoming Dallas Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND:
Council Member Armintor requested information regarding a recent resolution passed by the City
of Dallas on October 24, 2018 that establishes Dallas as a Welcoming City and formally adopts
the Welcoming Dallas Strategic Plan (Attachment 1).
Dallas is currently pursuing a “Welcoming City” certification designated by Welcoming America,
a national certifying non-profit organization. There are currently three certified Welcoming Cities
nationwide:
Dayton, Ohio
Louisville, Kentucky
Salt Lake City, Utah
The Dallas Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs was established in March
2017 to promote the successful inclusion of immigrants into the social and economic culture of
the Dallas community. To support this effort, Dallas budgeted $428,845 in the first year (FY 2017-
18), increased the budget to $623,124 this year (FY 2018-19), and currently projects a budget of
$635,827 for FY 2019-20. The office includes full-time employees to execute the operation of the
office.
Through this office, a Welcoming Plan Task Force, consisting of 85 community members
including immigrants and refugees, was created to develop the Welcoming Dallas Strategic Plan.
The office appointed community leaders across a wide spectrum of backgrounds to the taskforce.
The 44-page “Welcoming Plan” includes data and performance targets through the year 2021 for
civic, economic, linguistic, and social integration and inclusion for immigrants and refugees
residing in Dallas. The plan was written by the City of Dallas’ Office of Welcoming Communities
with research and technical assistance provided through the New American Economy and
Welcoming America organizations.
The Welcoming Plan outlines five overarching goals and 26 recommended strategies to achieve
those goals. Plan goals include:
Leadership and Communications: Local government is committed to being inclusive
and welcoming, and plays a central role in building local capacity while advancing
inclusion of diverse communities within its own agencies and bodies.
Safe, Healthy, and Connected Communities: Welcoming communities build
relationships among diverse communities, including newcomers and longer-term residents.
Date: December 21, 2018 Report No. 2018-192
They also foster trust and build relationships between diverse communities and local law
enforcement and safety agencies.
Equitable Access: Welcoming communities reduce barriers to services and participation
so that opportunities in the community are available to all residents.
Civic Engagement: Welcoming communities actively ensure that diverse populations
fully participate in civic life, including increasing access to leadership, citizenship and
community participation.
Economic Opportunity and Education: Welcoming communities harness the full
potential of all their residents. Everyone has the skills and assets to thrive, and economic
development systems are prepared to leverage new and existing talent. Welcoming
communities also ensure everyone has the education needed to succeed in school and the
workforce.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Welcoming Dallas Strategic Plan
STAFF CONTACT:
Stuart Birdseye
Management Analyst
(940) 349-8009
Stuart.birdseye@cityofdenton.com
| 1
PLAN FOR CIVIC, ECONOMIC, LINGUISTIC
AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION & INCLUSION
2018-2021
WELCOMING DALLAS STRATEGIC PLAN
2 |
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Neighbors:
As Mayor, I am pleased to support Dallas’ efforts to become a welcoming,
inclusive city for all its residents, whether they were born in Texas, another
state, or a distant country. Our diversity is a true asset.
Research shows that immigrants are a major part of our growing
economy. They account for more than 40 percent of Dallas’ overall
population growth since 2011 and contribute to our vitality by starting
and building businesses, investing in neighborhoods, and coaching youth
sports, volunteering at schools and expanding our cultural offerings.
I applaud the Welcoming Plan Task Force, created by the Dallas Office
of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs, for the thoughtful
recommendations it developed to make Dallas more inclusive and
supportive of immigrants and refugees. The recommendations in this
report will help Dallas integrate new residents from around the world into
the social fabric of our city, so that we can benefit from their talents and
experiences as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
Michael S. Rawlings – Mayor of Dallas
| 3
Dear Fellow Dallasites:
When I first became Dallas City Manager, I learned quickly that this city
is home to a large, diverse, vibrant immigrant population. Today, one
in four Dallas residents was born in another country, and 42% of Dallas
households use a primary language other than English.
Immigrants comprise one-third of our employed labor force. This
significant, and relatively rapid, demographic change brings challenges,
but it also brings energy and optimism and entrepreneurism. People want
to live and work in Dallas, and that’s a good thing.
In recognition of the important role that immigrants play in the life of our
City, and to underscore Dallas’ commitment to inclusivity and diversity,
the City of Dallas established the Office of Welcoming Communities
and Immigrant Affairs (WCIA) in March 2017. Its role is to promote and
advance the economic, civic and social engagement of immigrants and
refugees residing in Dallas. I am glad to be working hand-in-hand with
the WCIA team and with individuals throughout Dallas to create a more
inclusive, resilient and welcoming community for all residents.
We thank you for joining us in our efforts to be a city of Empathy, Ethics,
Equity and Excellence and look forward to working with the residents
of Dallas and our team at the City to become a nationally certified
welcoming city.
To longtime residents and to newcomers, I say, welcome to a more
welcoming Dallas!
TC Broadnax – City Manager
4 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| 5
Introduction
Immigration in Dallas
The Dallas Office of Welcoming Communities
and Immigrant Affairs and the Welcoming Plan Task Force
Summary of Welcoming Plan Task Force Recommendations
The Way Forward
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
Timeframe
Acknowledgements
Appendix: New Americans in Dallas
7
8
10
12
16
18
28
30
32
6 | Introduction
DALLAS IS
WELCOMING
WHEN WE
EMBRACE OUR
DIVERSITY
| 7
A welcoming community is one in which
diversity is acknowledged, celebrated and
harnessed to improve the social, economic
and cultural opportunities of all residents.
Dallas is actively working across sectors
to establish a local welcoming framework
to integrate and engage immigrants and
refugees in every aspect of city life. The
City of Dallas is partnering with leaders
and representatives of local government,
businesses, nonprofit agencies, philanthropic
enterprises, academia, service providers,
faith-based groups and first responders to
build awareness of the economic and social
benefits of being a welcoming community,
and to develop strategies to realize that goal.
Nearly one-quarter of Dallas’ current
residents were born outside of the United
States. Between the years 2011 and 2016
Dallas’ foreign-born residents accounted
for 40 percent of Dallas’ population growth.
The integration of foreign-born residents is
critical to the social, cultural and economic
future of Dallas.
But newcomers cannot integrate into
communities by themselves. Integration
requires a partnership. Immigrants must
do their part – learn English, navigate the
job market, understand and follow the law
– and the receiving community must offer
inclusion, hospitality and hope. The idea is
simply that Dallas residents, from natives
to newcomers, must work together to
nurture and sustain a vibrant city that offers
rich cultural, educational and economic
opportunities to all. The purpose of this
document is to recommend a series of goals
and strategies that will help Dallas achieve
that vision. INTRODUCTION
8 |
IMMIGRATION IN DALLAS
Half of Texas’ total population growth between 2010 and 2016 can
be attributed to migration. Net domestic migration represented
approximately 32 percent of the total increase, and net international
migration accounted for 19 percent. Almost one in five (19.6 percent) of
those immigrants to Texas live in Dallas.
Between 2011 and 2016, the population in the City of Dallas grew 4.2
percent, with the foreign-born population accounting for 40 percent
of that total growth. As of 2016, approximately 318,000 of Dallas’
1.3 million residents were immigrants. Until 2017, Dallas was a major
refugee resettlement location, with close to 2,500 refugees arriving to
Dallas annually. The largest percentage of foreign-born residents are
from Latin America, and most of those entered the country prior to
2000. The most common countries of origin are Mexico, followed by
El Salvador, Honduras, India and Ethiopia. More than 70 languages are
spoken within the Dallas Independent School District.
Texas Cities Percentage
Houston
Dallas
Fort Worth/Arlington
Austin/Round Rock
San Antonio
McAllen/Edinburg/Mission
El Paso
Other
32.5
19.6
7.4
6.3
6.2
5.4
5.0
17.4
WHERE IMMIGRANTS LIVE IN TEXAS
| 9
Top five countries
of origin for immigrants
living in the city:
Total population
1,268,905 → 1,321,656
Immigrant population
296,520 → 317,756
7.2%
Mexico
El Salvador
Honduras
India
Ethiopia
24%
4.2%Immigrant share of
the population, 2016
Between 2011 and 2016,
the population in the city
grew 4.2%.
The immigrant
population
increased 7.2%.
1
3
2
4
5
.........
......
.......
............
.........
Other
countries
of origin
25.5%
Mexico
61.8%
5.6%
2.8%
1.6%
61.8%
2.7%
317,756Number of immigrants
living in Dallas in 2016:
• Immigrant households in Dallas earned $7.9 billion in 2016.
• Foreign-born households contributed $1.9 billion in federal taxes
and $591.1 million in state and local taxes.
• Foreign-born workers contributed $847.7 million to Social Security
and $218.9 million to Medicare.
• Immigrants make up about one-third of Dallas’ employed labor
force and 24 percent of its science, technology, engineering and
math workers.
• Immigrants are overrepresented among the city’s entrepreneurs;
they are 24 percent of the population and one-third of its
entrepreneurs.
• The 20,405 immigrants who own their own business generated
$495.9 million in business income.
• Immigrants helped to create or preserve 14,617 local manufacturing
jobs in 2016.
• The population eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (DACA) program held nearly $700 million in spending
power.
• In 2016, the 63,396 DACA-eligible immigrants in the Dallas area—
of whom 93.4 percent were employed — paid $89 million in federal
taxes and $72 million in state and local taxes.
• International students, including many from China, India and
Burma, supported 1,962 local jobs and spent $150.3 million in the
2016-2017 academic year.
A recent study by New American Economy revealed immigrants’
tremendous economic contributions to Dallas and the region:
In recognition of the important presence of immigrants and refugees
in Dallas, and upon recommendation of the 2016 Mayor’s Task Force
on Poverty, the City of Dallas established the Office of Welcoming
Communities and Immigrant Affairs (“Dallas WCIA”) in March 2017.
It aims to promote the civic, social and economic engagement of
immigrants in Dallas and to build bridges between Dallas’ diverse
immigrant communities and long-term residents. The director of Dallas
WCIA reports directly to the Dallas City Manager.
Immigration in Dallas
10 |
The City of Dallas WCIA office has searched for, and found, resources
to help develop its capacity to fully integrate immigrants. It became
a member of Welcoming America, a national organization leading the
movement to create more immigrant-inclusive communities. WCIA has
received technical assistance through its membership in Welcoming
America, and collaborated with Cities for Action, the New Americans
Partnership and the Cities for Citizenship Campaign. As a result of
active participation in these networks, and its work with local leaders
across a broad spectrum of business, faith-based, civic, social service
and academic organizations, Dallas earned a Gateways for Growth
Challenge award from New American Economy and Welcoming
America. The award included original research that resulted in a recent
report, New Americans in Dallas, which appears in Appendix A.
IMMIGRANTS ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY ONE THIRD
OF THE CITY’S ENTREPRENEURS. THE 20,405
IMMIGRANTS WHO OWN BUSINESS GENERATED
$495.9 MILLION IN BUSINESS INCOME.THE DALLAS OFFICE
OF WELCOMING
COMMUNITIES AND
IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS
AND THE WELCOMING
PLAN TASK FORCE
While these national partnerships offer ideas, encouragement and
technical assistance, the actual work of integration takes place within
communities and neighborhoods and schools. From March 2017 to
June 2018, Dallas WCIA has participated in 343 community events,
meetings, fairs, panel discussions and other activities, reaching
approximately 23,030 attendees. Dallas WCIA staff also has sought
insights from community leaders who regularly welcome and work
with immigrants and refugees. An initial survey with faith-based, legal,
and other service providers and educators detailed the barriers facing
immigrants and what Dallas can do to help improve the quality of life
for immigrant residents.
NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN DALLAS
| 11
BIGGEST BARRIERS TOP 5 GREATEST NEEDS WHAT CAN DALLAS DO?
PRELIMINARY SURVEY RESULTS
Fear of immigration enforcement
Lack of English language skills
Poverty/Lack of resources
Transportation
Affordable housing
Knowledge of rights and
preparedness information
Access to civil immigration
legal services
Access to and utilization of
available services & benefits
ESL, Literacy and Citizenship
instruction
Promotion of U.S. Citizenship
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
Community outreach between law
enforcement & government leaders
Celebrate contributions of
immigrants & refugees
Promote & provide ESL &
U.S. Citizenship instruction
Support diversity initiatives &
include immigrants
Break down social & economic barriers
After that initial outreach, Dallas WCIA formed a Welcoming Plan
Task Force to develop formal recommendations to integrate
immigrants fully into city life. The Dallas WCIA Welcoming Plan Task
Force includes 85 members from a wide variety of backgrounds and
professions, many of whom had not met previously. Tailoring efforts to
the Dallas community, the task force sub-divided into five committees
that address the issue areas required for Welcoming America’s
national certification as a welcoming community: Civic Engagement;
Economic and Educational Opportunity; Safe, Healthy and Connected
Communities; Leadership and Communications; and Equitable Access.
The full task force met monthly beginning in December 2017 to learn
about issues impacting the Dallas immigrant and refugee communities,
city policy initiatives, existing city services and barriers to equitable
access and participation. Task Force members engaged with Dallas
residents through listening sessions, site visits and informational
interviews. These listening sessions revealed the following barriers that
prevent immigrants in Dallas from fully integrating into the community:
• Fear of going about daily activities due to heightened federal
immigration enforcement policies
• Language barriers
• Lack of acceptable identification
• Difficulty in understanding “paperwork” such as leases,
contracts, bills
• Lack of awareness of or access to information about topics such as
starting a business, organizing a neighborhood group, etc
• Lack of knowledge of legal rights
• Lack of civics knowledge; awareness about engagement with city
leaders
From this community-driven process, task force members developed
a set of detailed recommendations, summarized below and explained
fully at the end of this report, to encourage equitable access to city
and educational services and full integration into civic and social life.
The Dallas Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs and the Welcoming Plan Task Force
12 |
SUMMARY OF WELCOMING PLAN TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
| 13
LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONS
GOAL
Local government is committed to being
inclusive and welcoming, and plays a central
role in building local capacity while advancing
inclusion of diverse communities within its
own agencies and bodies.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Develop community awareness about the
economic, social and cultural contributions
immigrants make, and the benefits Dallas
derives from being an inclusive community.
2. Develop and maintain a comprehensive
directory/database of services and
resources for immigrants and refugees.
3. Create partnerships with local, state and
federal agencies, the business community
and philanthropic entities to address
changing needs related to evolving
immigration policy.
4. Enhance understanding and trust between
long-term residents of Dallas and immigrant
communities.
SAFE, HEALTHY, AND CONNECTED
COMMUNITIES
GOAL
Welcoming communities build relationships
among diverse communities, including
newcomers and longer-term residents.
They also foster trust and build relationships
between diverse communities and local law
enforcement and safety agencies.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Provide training about diverse populations
and establish ongoing dialogue with first
responders and public safety officials
to foster trusting relationships between
immigrants and law enforcement.
2. Educate immigrants about their rights
and responsibilities and raise awareness
through on-going education throughout the
community of sensitive locations pursuant
to federal policy guidance.
3. Improve health care accessibility and
understand and address needs of
immigrants and refugees.
4. Convene a coalition of mental health care
experts to coordinate and address services
provided in the City of Dallas.
5. Partner with philanthropy to provide civil
immigration services and rights information
programs.
6. Bring diverse groups together to celebrate
and foster cultural, artistic and recreational
interaction between Dallas’ long-term and
newer residents.
EQUITABLE ACCESS
GOAL
Welcoming communities reduce barriers
to services and participation so that
opportunities in the community are available
to all residents.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Develop and utilize data-driven
approaches to conduct equity analyses
for decision-making processes and ensure
implementation of inclusive policies for
Dallas residents in coordination with other
relevant offices.
2. Implement and oversee a City language
access plan, including access to safety
services/alerts and staff training.
3. Support efforts by the City to simplify and
increase access to city services for
all residents of Dallas by implementing a
multi-use city identification card.
4. Work in partnership to improve housing
accessibility and work to prevent housing
discrimination.
5. Work in partnership to foster partnership
programs to achieve equitable access to
health care.
6. In partnership with mobility solutions
experts, work to improve transportation
accessibility in Dallas.
The Welcoming Plan Task Force Summary of Recommendations
14 |
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
GOAL
Welcoming communities actively ensure that
diverse populations fully participate in civic
life, including increasing access to leadership,
citizenship and community participation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Increase the number of Dallas immigrants
who become naturalized U.S. citizens.
2. Increase knowledge of how local
government works and how to access
services for immigrant communities in
Dallas.
3. Enhance levels of civic participation and
leadership among immigrants in Dallas.
4. Promote participation in the 2020 Census
to ensure maximum participation.
5. Promote voter education and registration
among new citizens.
6. Raise awareness in immigrant communities
of the unauthorized practice of
immigration law and other predatory
practices impacting immigrant consumers.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
AND EDUCATION
GOAL
Welcoming communities harness the full
potential of all their residents. Everyone has
the skills and assets to thrive, and economic
development systems are prepared to
leverage new and existing talent. Welcoming
communities also ensure everyone has the
education needed to succeed in school and
the workforce.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Establish welcoming hubs as community
gathering and educational centers
for immigrants to access information,
resources and opportunities.
2. In partnership, bring to-scale workforce
systems that increase skill development
and career pathways to improve immigrant
integration in the economy.
3. Remove barriers to immigrant families
to ensure full access in all educational
opportunities that exist in the City of
Dallas and promote learning at all levels.
4. Participate in partnership opportunities
to support the financial literacy needs of
immigrants.
The Welcoming Plan Task Force Summary of Recommendations
| 15
16 |
THE WAY FORWARD
| 17
Moving forward, Dallas is striving to become a certified
“Welcoming City” by the national certifying non-profit
organization, Welcoming America. There are currently
three certified cities in the nation (Dayton, Louisville, and
Salt Lake City) and Dallas WCIA is working diligently to
become the next.
While national immigration policy focuses on interdiction
and deportation, communities like Dallas are working to
demonstrate the longtime American ideal of welcoming
immigrants. For decades, people around the world
have revered the United States for its hospitality and its
opportunities. Dallas will continue to honor that tradition.
This city has many compatriots in this effort: according
to Welcoming America, one in eight Americans lives in
places considered to be welcoming communities, places
that actively seek to include and engage their foreign-born
residents.
Full integration does not happen without effort, from
both the receiving population and the newcomers. It
takes work and good will. We can find common ground
by sharing our arrival stories — most Americans have
one — of grandparents who fled pogroms in Russia,
an ancestor forced onto a slave ship, a parent who
crossed the Rio Grande with a goal of finding work. We
find hope by reaching out, acknowledging our shared
humanity, learning about our different customs and
cultures, and realizing we all want to live in a safe, vibrant,
compassionate city where children grow up in peace and
families prosper. No matter where we came from, we are
all neighbors now. E Pluribus Unum.
And we know that when one person moves forward in
Dallas, we all move forward. Cuando uno de nosotros sigue
adelante en Dallas, todos seguimos adelante.
18 |
The Welcoming Standard, as developed
by the Welcoming America organization,
provides a comprehensive guide for building
more cohesive and equitable communities
and fostering connections between newer
immigrants and long-time residents. It also
sets benchmarks for accountability and
innovation so that city efforts can be scaled
and measured in relation to established
priorities that include:
• Public Safety
• Mobility Solutions, Infrastructure
and Sustainability
• Human and Social Needs
• Quality of Life
• Government Performance and
Financial Management
The Welcoming Standard includes strategies
for sustaining a welcoming plan, such as:
• Engaging longer-term residents
• Setting goals, monitoring impact and
adjusting strategies as needed
• Designing for equity and inclusion.
• Implementing in partnership
The Dallas Welcoming Communities Task Force
produced the following recommendations and
strategies for implementing a Welcoming Plan
in the City of Dallas.WELCOMING PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS
| 19
RECOMMENDATIONS
Develop a community awareness campaign about the
economic, social and cultural contributions immigrants
make, and the benefits Dallas will derive from being an
inclusive community
STRATEGIES
• Hold listening sessions and focus groups with immigrants and refugees to
understand the challenges and benefits of living in Dallas.
• Enlist partners, including the business and philanthropic sectors, to launch
a community awareness campaign, #WelcomingDallas and #BeGolden, to
emphasize the ways immigrants and refugees enrich our city and contribute
to the local economy.
• Identify key messages for different audience segments and the most
effective media channel for reaching those audience segments.
• Enlist influential leaders in the receiving community (business and civic
leaders, etc.) to serve as spokesmen and women who can explain the
benefits of being a welcoming community.
• Actively seek out or create opportunities for media coverage of immigrant-
related stories, such as holding naturalization ceremonies at City Hall, etc.
• Promote welcoming and inclusive culture via public proclamation or resolution.
Develop a Directory/Database of Services and Resources
for Immigrants and Refugees as a welcoming guide that
helps newcomers more easily access services and resources
STRATEGIES • Survey the landscape to learn what already exists.
• Identify immigrant and refugee leaders, including youth leaders, to serve
as community ambassadors to help identify needs and provide resource
information.
• Find a “home” or administrator for the directory, so that it is regularly
updated and reviewed for accuracy, etc.
Create partnerships with local, state and federal agencies,
private sector and philanthropic organizations to address
changing needs related to evolving immigration policy
STRATEGIES• Brief City Council members and commission members on demographics and
local immigrant and refugee issues and serve as a resource when elected
officials need information.
• Build relationships with other partners, including city staff and other public
agency officials, such as Dallas and Richardson ISD, Parkland Health &
Hospital System leaders, Dallas County, etc.
• Develop opportunities to work with business associations or chambers of
commerce, professional societies, etc.
• Engage with other citywide, grass-roots organizations to discuss the
benefits of becoming a welcoming city and fully integrating newcomers.
Enhance understanding and trust between long-term
residents of Dallas and immigrant communities by
creating shared experiences
STRATEGIES • Hold annual Thanksgiving dinners to bring newcomers and long-term
residents together to celebrate a cherished American tradition.
• Coordinate volunteer opportunities for diverse communities to collaborate
and work together.
• Sponsor community gardens in partnerships, use transit systems to explore
the city, hold cultural celebrations, art exhibits and engage in community
clean-up, soccer tournaments, Ciclovía and other activities that allow
groups to become more familiar with diversity beyond their immediate
neighborhoods, place of worship, and workspace.
• Participate in recreational events in Dallas for families to gather on multiple
weekends throughout the year and use as an opportunity to raise awareness
about community and family services.
• Work in partnership to welcome international guests to Dallas with protocol
office.
PARTNERS
Business and philanthropic sectors, Dallas residents, Dallas media outlets,
elected officials, service providers, local, state and federal officials.
LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONS
Commitment on behalf of city leaders to being inclusive and
welcoming by advancing local capacity building efforts while
advancing inclusion of the diverse community within the City.
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
20 |
RECOMMENDATIONS
Develop and utilize data-driven approaches to conduct
equity analyses for decision-making processes and work
to ensure implementation of inclusive policies for Dallas
residents in coordination with other relevant offices
STRATEGIES • Review city policies concerning government leadership, equitable access,
civic engagement, cultural inclusion, education, economic development,
neighborhood development, and public safety for implicit bias and ensure
equitable consideration of immigrant residents and visitors.
• Undertake a systematic review of local laws, codes, policies, and
practices to determine whether such policies (i) exclude or disenfranchise
immigrants; or (ii) exclude residents based on facets of the identity,
including gender, race, ability, age, religion or sexual orientation.
• Revise any policies found to run counter to ((i)-(ii)) above.
• Implement a process to regularly review and improve local policies to
strengthen immigrant inclusion.
Implement and oversee a City language access plan
to remove linguistic barriers to participating in Dallas
life and community engagement, while providing staff
training
STRATEGIES • Improve language access to information and services.
• Ensure language access across city departments with the goal of expanding
equitable access to programs, services, and activities.
• Undertake an assessment of the language needs of the community with
the goal of providing access to (i) important information including safety,
emergency, and alert services; (ii) housing, transportation and health
information and services; (iii) all City services; (iv) legal and non-profit
resources; (iv) educational and work force training opportunities. Implement
and operationalize a language policy that meets the needs identified.
• Publicize and market the policy in a way that emphasizes the diversity and
inclusiveness of our community. Upgrade, enhance, and publicize existing
services such as 311, 211texas.org, northtexasfamilies.org, helpfinders.org.
• Create partnerships with others who can assist in translation and resources.
Support effort by the City to simplify and increase
access to city services for all residents of Dallas
by implementing a multi-use city identification card
STRATEGIES
• Conduct an assessment of the ways a multi-use City ID would improve the
quality of life for Dallas residents.
• Determine the financial costs and other feasibility issues in developing a
multi-use City ID card.
• Seek wide community support for a multi-use City ID card.
• Provide funding and the authority to administer a multi-use City ID program
to be accepted by the City for enumerated city services.
EQUITABLE ACCESS
Welcoming Dallas reduces or eliminates the barriers to accessing
services, programs and activities, so that the opportunities of the
community are available to all residents.
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
| 21
Improve access to Housing in partnership with
community-based organizations, Dallas Fair Housing,
Texas Fair Housing Authority
STRATEGIES • Ensure that the comprehensive housing plan includes the integration of
immigrants and other diverse populations into all neighborhoods
of Dallas.
• Dedicate a portion of affordable housing development requirements for the
unsubsidized population and require developers to incorporate unsubsidized
low-income housing into all financing plans.
• Promote the value of working with immigrants in providing
low-income housing; remove barriers to renting apartments.
• Support tenant efforts to hold owners accountable for substandard
properties and assist in disseminating discrimination policies and access to
legal remedies.
In partnership, actively work to foster partnership
programs to achieve equitable access to health care
STRATEGIES
• Host dialogues on how to address fear and toxic stress that are impacting
daily life and well-being of Dallas families.
• Establish a network of accessible community-based primary care clinics, in
under-serviced areas and areas with high immigrant concentrations.
• Advocate for language access services during medical and behavioral
health visits.
Improve mobility and transportation options for all Dallas
residents and include immigrants in the inclusion process;
this would be done in partnership with Dallas Office
of Transportation, DART, corporate philanthropy, and
community organizations
STRATEGIES • Expand services and a seek a reduction in fare prices to provide supportive
public transportation to all low-income residents of Dallas.
• Better utilize existing city and community resources in addressing
transportation needs.
PARTNERS
Service providers, City of Dallas departments, philanthropic sectors,
Dallas residents, elected officials, public transit authorities, public
housing authorities, real estate associations, tenant associations,
service providers, local, state and federal officials.
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
22 |
RECOMMENDATIONS
Implement and Increase access to justice
for immigrants and refugees
STRATEGIES• Create an informational clearinghouse for information and access to legal
and non-profit assistance and engagement with the law enforcement
community.
• Overcome language barriers in the court system and the prosecutor’s office.
• Create public/private partnerships to provide civil immigration legal services
for indigent respondents.
Facilitate and strengthen relationships between public
safety departments and Dallas immigrant communities
through a “Safe Connections RoundTable” series while
providing training on interacting with diverse populations
STRATEGIES• Monthly meetings between the DPD, DFD, and Dallas WCIA staff; secure
approval and cooperation from DPD Chief and DFD chief.
• Establish the topics and data to be covered and provided at each meeting.
• Establish time and place for the meetings for the calendar year.
• Promote education/hold classes on municipal laws, human trafficking, and U
visa policy to educate the immigrant community on issues that impact their
quality of life in Dallas.
• Coordinate in partnership Dallas Resident Police Academies in
multiple languages.
Educate communities about their rights and
responsibilities as well as federally designated
sensitive locations
STRATEGIES• Map the sensitive locations and resource materials that explain the meaning
of being a sensitive location for community distribution.
• In partnership, convene classes about legal rights and responsibilities.
SAFE, HEALTHY AND
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Welcoming Dallas builds relationships among diverse
communities, including newcomers and longer-term residents.
It also fosters trust and builds relationships between diverse
communities and local law enforcement and safety agencies.
Across city departments, Dallas WCIA actively engages in outreach and
dialogue to help build bridges within the community and to inform community
members about the importance of reporting crime and options that may exist
for victims of crime. Community engagement with collaborative partners like
the Dallas Police Department Unidos program to alleviate fears and increase
the quality life of Dallas residents.
PARTNERS
First responders, public safety officials, service providers, City of
Dallas departments, philanthropic sectors, Dallas residents, elected
officials, service providers, local, state and federal officials.
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
| 23
RECOMMENDATIONS
Increase the number of Dallas immigrants who become
naturalized U.S. citizens by hosting bi-annual citizenship
workshops with community collaborators
STRATEGIES • Coordinate the #MyDallas Citizenship Campaign with key partners
throughout the City.
• Conduct free, large-scale naturalization workshops at the Dallas Public
Libraries and other venues on a quarterly or semi-annual basis where a
diverse group of volunteers can assist immigrants to apply for naturalization.
• Establish Citizenship Corners in all Dallas Public Library branches and equip
Citizenship Corners with wide a range of information helpful to immigrants
and refugees.
• Maintain active membership with national partner organizations also
dedicated to promoting U.S. citizenship, such as: New Americans Campaign
(NAC), Cities 4 Citizenship (C4C), National Partnership for New Americans
(NPNA) and U.S. Citizenship and the Immigration Services Citizenship Grant
Program.
• Partner with businesses to assist lawful permanent resident employees with
the process of citizenship, using New American Workforce as a model.
• Create citizenship loan programs by working with credit unions and lending
circles to establish low-interest loans to pay for naturalization application fees.
• Encourage release time for City of Dallas employees to participate in WCIA-
sponsored events, including City Hall Naturalization Ceremonies; Citizenship
and DACA application workshops; and other large-scale events.
• Include in City of Dallas’ Texas Legislative Agenda a request for state
funding for naturalization promotion efforts as exists in numerous other
states with large immigrant populations.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Welcoming Dallas actively ensures that diverse populations fully
participate in civic life, including increasing access to leadership,
citizenship and community participation.
Increase Knowledge of Local Government among
Immigrant Communities of Dallas
STRATEGIES
• Create an Outreach Speakers Bureau of long-term U.S. citizens and public
officials (mayor, city manager, city councilmembers, police chief, sheriff,
judges, district attorney, city attorney) to educate new immigrants on major
aspects of local government including: city and county roles and jurisdictions;
relationship to state and federal government; law enforcement organization
and roles; courts structure and organization; and many other topics.
• Promote the free Text4Refugees text messaging platform.
• Collaborate with Dallas Police Department UNIDOS community policing
speakers and expand program to include other cultural leaders and
languages.
• Partner with 311 and other city departments to communicate topical
information about city life.
• Involve the Mayor of Dallas and Councilmembers in high- profile activities
that underscore the importance of U.S. citizenship, such as speaking at
naturalization ceremonies, giving media interviews or participating in PSA.
• Establish a Community Ambassadors Program to include new citizens to
further promote the #MyDallas Citizenship Campaign.
• Engage with immigrants and refugees in coordinating and promoting
citizenship civics classes and ESL classes
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
24 |
Promote Voter Education and Registration
Among New Citizens
STRATEGIES
• Assist in the coordination of Citizenship Corners at Dallas Public Library
to ensure they are well-supplied with voter registration and educational
materials.
• Promote voting through existing mass mailings such as utility bills, and
other local government mailings.
• Coordinate with community organizations dedicated to promoting the
right to vote.
• Participate at voter registration booths at USCIS Naturalization Ceremonies
and other public events.
Enhance Levels of Civic Participation and
Leadership Among Immigrants
STRATEGIES • Create a City of Dallas New Citizens Leadership Academy, modeled after
New American Leaders, as a learning opportunity for new citizens to master
skills necessary to:
1. Run for local, state, and/or federal office
2. Hold community leadership positions
3. Advocate for public policies supportive of immigrant families
• Develop community councils, comprised of a cross section of immigrants and
refugees from around the City to gather input and recommendations from
their respective community for presentation to City Council and the Mayor.
• Promote community service opportunities for immigrants and refugees
through linkages to existing volunteer placement programs, such as
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), AmeriCorps,
VISTA, Senior Corps, Volunteer Now and others.
• Encourage immigrants and refugees to volunteer at naturalization workshops.
• Involve new citizens in voter registration drives in their own immigrant
communities.
• Establish a WCIA Volunteer Coordinator position to match immigrants and
refugees with nonprofit organizations where they will learn skills to enhance
their employability.
• In partnership with City protocol office, develop and foster existing
relationships with sister cities around the world.
Promote Participation in the 2020 Census
to Ensure Maximum Participation
STRATEGIES • Participate in all activities of the Mayor’s Complete Count Committee.
• Conduct early and widespread outreach to familiarize immigrants and
refugees with the 2020 Census and the importance of it.
• Coordinate efforts with counterpart Immigrant Affairs offices throughout
the U.S. to identify effective strategies and best practices for ensuring
participation in the 2020 Census and privacy protections.
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
• Bring together key stakeholders and “influencers” into the 2020 Census
outreach efforts early to deliver positive messages about the census.
MyDallas Citizenship Application Workshop held at the central library in
downtown Dallas. Promotion of citizenship is integral to the work of inclusion.
Research shows that individuals, families and the communities where they live
stand to gain through naturalization. Dallas WCIA and its partners are
expanding citizenship efforts in Dallas to simplify the process and improve the
lives of Dallas residents.
| 25
Raise Awareness in Immigrant Communities of the
Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPL) and
other predatory practices impacting immigrant consumers
STRATEGIES • Maintain constant and repetitive messaging warning immigrants and
refugees about “notaries” and the unauthorized practice of immigration law.
• Regularly update and circulate the Dallas WCIA pamphlet, “Guide to
Immigration Legal Service Organizations in North Texas Recognized by
the U.S. Department of Justice”.
• Ensure that Dallas Public Libraries’ Citizenship Corners are stocked with
materials advising about the unauthorized practice of law and immigration
scams.
• Build relationship with consumer-related prosecuting entities such as the
State Bar Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, the Texas Attorney
General’s Office, the Federal Trade Commission and others.
PARTNERS
First responders, public safety officials, service providers, City of
Dallas departments, philanthropic sectors, educators, Dallas residents,
elected officials, service providers, local, state and federal officials.
DACA is a Prime Example of Integration and Inclusion
The Dallas metropolitan area has the third largest number of residents with
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) across the United States.
Given their income, DACA-eligible immigrants contribute significantly to state
and local taxes, including property, sales and excise taxes. They are highly
engaged in community affairs and the employment rate of DACA-eligible living
in Dallas in 2016 is 93.4%. As part of the #MyDallas campaign, WCIA plans to
expand efforts to include coordinating DACA Renewal clinics with nonprofit
and philanthropic partners so that all eligible recipients apply to receive
protection from deportation, work authorization, and the ability to continue
contributing in the formal economy.
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
26 |
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
AND EDUCATION
Welcoming Dallas harnesses the full potential of all residents.
Everyone has the skills and assets to thrive, and economic
development systems are prepared to leverage new and existing
talent. Welcoming Dallas ensures everyone has the education
they need to succeed in school and the workforce.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In partnership, bring to-scale workforce systems that
increase skill development and career pathways to
improve immigrant integration in the economy
STRATEGIES
• Help immigrant and refugee service providers augment services and
resources tailored to assisting immigrants and refugees in breaking barriers
to workforce entry.
• Leverage existing resources in Dallas County to improve job training and
promote entrepreneurial development.
• Work in partnerships, to provide credential evaluation to transition
qualified immigrants into stable jobs/trades and skill appropriate workforce
involvement.
• Increase immigrant and refugee involvement across the full spectrum of
newcomer services and agencies focusing on economic and educational
opportunities.
• Leverage partnerships to create opportunities for immigrant and first
generation college youth to apply for internships and apprenticeships.
• Conduct asset mapping of economic, educational, and transportation access
gaps for immigrant residents.
• Work in partnership to promote workforce and skills development.
• Work in partnership with economic development chambers and other
partners to encourage and provide technical assistance to small and
minority-owned businesses to become vendors to bid on City projects.
• Promote growth for immigrant and minority businesses and work with EB5
Program to stimulate economic development in opportunity areas.
• Develop a plan to support current and future immigrant- owned businesses.
• Conduct outreach on resources for starting business in Dallas and facilitate
programs that augment entrepreneurial initiatives in immigrant communities.
• Support efforts to fight wage theft cases for immigrants.
• Develop curriculum in technological skills and competencies in multiple
languages.
• Participate in partnership opportunities to support the financial literacy
needs of immigrants.
PARTNERS
Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas, DCCCD, Texas Workforce
Commission Adult Education and Literacy programs, philanthropy,
employers, city and county.
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
City of Dallas is committed to “service first” philosophy to all its residents.
| 27
Establish welcoming hubs
STRATEGIES • Assess welcoming locations to create a human-centered digital platform of
resources.
• Create a community space for collaboration/awareness of existing resources
among community-based organizations and service providers.
• Create a network of community organizations by county.
• Develop an online portal for all Dallas residents interested in international
affairs, providing calendars of events and useful resource guides.
• Promote the availability of quality information and counseling to immigrant
families regarding higher education and vocational opportunities.
• Provide information on civil rights and legal resources.
• Publish a basic guide for newcomers.
• Provide workshops to help parents understand pathways to college.
• Establish one-stop shops where immigrant entrepreneurs can get
information on navigating licensing and other processes
• Support immigrant entrepreneurs in the tech economy by working with
universities and private industry to access information and networks.
• Provide reliable information on important issues and service needs, such as:
tax preparation, authorized immigration legal services, proper vs predatory
lending, how to avoid real estate and healthcare scams, how to recognize
predatory for-profit educational programs and many others.
Remove barriers to immigrant and refugee families to
promote learning and ensure full access in all educational
opportunities that exist in the City of Dallas
STRATEGIES• Work in partnership to provide expanded subsidized preschool/daycare and
early childhood programs servicing diverse populations.
• Work in partnership to provide parent workshops about education and
college opportunities throughout the City in multiple languages.
• Ensure that English language learning opportunities are available
throughout the City in convenient and safe locations.
• Utilize public libraries and welcoming hubs as a center point to promote the
resources available for newcomers in different languages.
• Partner with educational service providers to promote a covered college
education for Dallas high school students.
• Organize events to encourage the international community to share
experiences/knowledge.
• Create mentorship opportunities between seasoned immigrant professionals
and newcomer families.
• Help immigrant students transition into the U.S. school system, enabling
them to engage with the appropriate curricula and succeed academically.
• Work with Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) in public schools to be more
encouraging and inviting of immigrants and refugees.
PARTNERS
RISD/DISD’s Newcomer’s program to ensure services are provided
to volunteers, teachers, and administrators, Dallas Public Library,
Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Coppell, Duncanville, Garland, Highland
Park, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson, DISD, Irving, colleges universities
nonprofit after school organizations, and business development
training centers.
Welcoming Plan Recommendations
28 |
The Welcoming Dallas Plan includes a
broad set of actions that are prioritized
as short-term, mid-term and long-term
and grouped in three categories. TIMEFRAME
| 29
SHORT TERM 1-2 YEARS MID TERM 2-3 YEARS LONG TERM 3+ YEARS
WELCOME, NEIGHBOR WELCOME, NEIGHBOR WELCOME, NEIGHBOR
CONNECTING DALLAS
CONNECTING DALLAS
CONNECTING DALLAS
FORWARD TOGETHER FORWARD TOGETHER
FORWARD TOGETHER
• Launch community awareness campaign and actively
seek out opportunities for media coverage for
immigrant related stories
• Host naturalization ceremonies
• Enhance understanding and trust between long-term
residents of Dallas and immigrant communities by
creating shared experiences
• Maintain comprehensive directory
• Increase the number of Dallas immigrants who become
naturalized U.S. citizens
• Promote participation in the 2020 Census
• Ensure that English language learning opportunities
are available throughout the City in convenient and
safe locations
• Establish welcoming hubs
• Revitalize sister city relationships
• Create youth taskforce on welcoming & promote
next-gen leadership
• Promote higher education and workforce opportunities
• Enhance levels of civic participation and leadership
among immigrants
• Remove barriers to immigrant and refugee families to
ensure full access in all educational opportunities that
exist in the City of Dallas
• Raise awareness throughout the community of the
federally-designated sensitive locations
• Develop and oversee a language access plan
• Support endeavors to research & launch a City ID
program
• Identify & revise policies that may exclude or
discriminate
• Partner with philanthropy & service providers
regarding civil immigration services and rights
information programs
• Raise awareness of the unauthorized practice of
immigration law and other predatory practices
• Utilize data-driven approaches to conduct equity
analyses with other relevant offices
• Implement and increase access to justice for
immigrants and refugees
• Improve housing accessibility
• Improve transportation accessibility
• Collect data to conduct an equity analysis for decision
making processes
• Improve health care accessibility
• Collect and utilize data-driven approaches to conduct
equity analyses for decision-making processes with
other relevant offices
• Promote voter education and registration among new
U.S. citizens
• Raise awareness of and improve immigrant integration
in workforce systems and improve U.S. professional
licensing processes
• Promote growth for immigrant and minority businesses
• Engage local, governmental, business, and civic
leaders to elevate the myriad benefits of being a
welcoming and diverse city
• Create partnerships to address changing needs related
to evolving immigration policy
• Create partnership opportunities to support the
financial literacy needs of immigrants
• Review and revise as needed
• Establish a city office to house immigrant integration
efforts
• Establish a welcoming city employee resource group
• Expand Dallas civic engagement and leadership
opportunities
• Establish and maintain ongoing dialogue with first
responders and public safety officials
• Increase knowledge of local government for immigrant
communities in Dallas
• Engage local, governmental, business, and civic
leaders to elevate the myriad benefits of being a
welcoming and diverse city
• Create partnerships to address changing needs related
to evolving immigration policy
• Participate in partnership opportunities to support the
financial literacy needs of immigrants
Timeframe
30 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
WCIA thanks the following Dallas leaders for their commitment and contributions to
developing the Welcoming Plan Recommendations for the City of Dallas.
Ghazwan Abdullah, Seek the Peace
Hanna Alexander, Equal Justice Center
Luis Arango, J.D., Catholic Charities of Dallas
Nicolas Argueta, American Salvadoran Association
Virginia Arteaga-Haid, Global Economic Development
Dallas County Community College District
Ann Badmus, Esq., Immigrant Journey Awards
Charles Barker, MD, Compassionate DFW
Karen Bassett, League of Women Voters
Graham Bateman, Justice for Our Neighbors
Syl Benenson, National Council of Jewish Women
Bill Bernstein, Mosaic Family Services
Bill Betzen, The School Archive Project
Dr. Watt Black, Southern Methodist University, Simmons School
Ing. Erik Burgos, North Texas Dream Team
Felicitas Cadena, UNIVISION
Victor Carrillo, Zion Oil & Gas
Jason Clarke, Seek the Peace
Laura Collins, Esq., George W. Bush Institute
Isabelle Collora, Homeward Bound
Isabel Colunga, Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas
Harry Davis, First Unitarian Church of Dallas
Catrina Dawson, Unite Greater Dallas
Angela Downes, UNT Dallas College of Law
Lenita Dunlap, Heart House
Linda Abramson Evans, United Nations Association Dallas
Hector Flores, League of United Latin American Citizens
Sara Fox, Richardson Independent School District
Alfonso Franco, Proyecto Inmigrante
Juan Garcia, SMU Dedman School of Law student
Dr. Patty Garcia, Latino Center for Leadership Development
Prisma Garcia, Social Venture Partners
Yolette Garcia, Southern Methodist University, Simmons School
Michelle Garza Pareja, RAICES
Tom Gibbons, Compassionate DFW
Dr. Jessica Gomez, Momentous Institute
Rebecca Greenan, Esq., UNT Dallas College of Law
Christina Hanger, Dallas Afterschool
Claudia Hermann, Asociación de Mujeres Empresarias
y Profesionales
Jin-Ya Huang, Break Bread Break Borders
Larry James, CitySquare
Tiffany Jelke, International Rescue Committee
Kavita Khandekar Chopra, Esq., Human Rights Initiative
Irma Kusuma, Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber
Brenda Kirk, The National Immigration Forum
Brenda Lepenski, Foundation Communities
Dr. Hilda Loria, UT Southwestern Medical Center and
Children’s Health
David Lozano, Cara Mia Theater
Rene Martinez, League of United Latin American Citizens
Mark Masepohl, UNIVISION
Cheryl McCarver, Community Council of Greater Dallas
Dr. Margo McClinton Stoglin, CRM & Associates, LLC;
Advising and Consulting Services
Regina Montoya, Esq., Dallas Mayor’s Poverty Task Force
Lissette Moreno, Peace & Justice Ministry
Janet Morrison-Lane, PhD, Vickery Meadow Youth
Development Foundation
Jennifer Nagorka, Freelance Writer
Dr. Walter Nguyen, Mosaic Family Services
Dr. Javier Olguin, Eastfield College
WELCOMING PLAN TASKFORCE
Mirjana Omeragic, Mosaic Family Services
Sarah Papert, Literacy Achieves
Edurne Pineda, Consulate General of Mexico
Cheryl Pollman, National Council of Jewish Women
Dr. Alina Ponce, Momentous Institute
Angelica Portillo, Dallas Afterschool
Maria Powers, The Wilkinson Center
Daniel Prescott, Transformance
Nina Rafiq, Parkland Hospital
Diana Ramirez, Workers Defense Project
Leonid Regheta, Project Start
Cristal Retana, Children’s Health
Edward Retta, Cross Culture Communications
Sr. Patricia Ridgely, Sisters of St Mary of Namur
Marissa Rodriguez, Injury Prevention Center
Daley Ryan, International Rescue Committee
Jaynie Schultz
Blake Schwarz, Park Cities Presbyterian Church
Joel Schwitzer, American Jewish Committee Dallas
Dr. Irwin Segal, Family Medical Physician
Dr. Michael Sorrell, Paul Quinn College
Shelli Stephens Stidham, Injury Prevention Center
Martha Stowe, Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation
Jamila Thomas, Dallas Independent School District
Claudia Torrescano, Dallas Independent School District
Nubia Torres, Catholic Charities of Dallas
Leticia Tudon, The Concilio
David Villalobos, Texas Organizing Project
Rev. Michael Walsh, Dallas Area Interfaith
Kasey Yanna, Dallas Independent School District
Acknowledgments
| 31
M a y o r : Mike Rawlings
Mayor Pro Tem/District 3: Casey Thomas II
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem/District 2 : Adam Medrano
District 1: Scott Griggs
District 4:
District 5: Ric key D. Callahan
District 6 : Omar Narvaez
District 7: Kevin Felder
District 8: Tennell Atkins
District 9: Mark Clayton
District 10: B. Adam McGough
District 11: Lee Kleinman
District 12: Sandy Greyson
District 13: Jennifer Staubach Gates
District 14: Philip T. Kin gs ton
City Manager: TC Broadnax
City Manager’s Office Executive Team, City Departments,
and Mayor’s Staff
Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs
Director: Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Cedillo-Pereira, Esq.
Senior Program Manager: Vanna Slaughter, LCSW
Community Outreach Specialist: Yolanda Ramirez
2018 Interns/Next Gen Leaders: Mirka Estrada, Jenny Yuhun
Myung, John Reaves, Alice Vyukusenge
Welcoming America, New American Economy and
all collaborating partners, Felicia Carrillo Escobar and
Monica Fuentes
Photography: Kael Alford, Rooha Haghar
Design: El Creative Advertising & Design, Jessie Martinez,
Jacob Johnstonbaugh
MANY THANKS TO OUR
CITY LEADERS FOR SUPPORT
AND LEADERSHIP
32 |
City Council Approved Resolution (18-1520) – October 24, 2018
| 33
City Council Approved Resolution (18-1520) – October 24, 2018
CONTINUED
34 |
APPENDIX
New Americans in Dallas
A Snapshot of the Demographic and Economic Contributions of Immigrants in the City1
POPULATION GROWTH24+76R
Immigrant share of the population, 2016
Top five countries of origin for immigrants living in the city:
Number of immigrants living in Dallas in 2016:
Growth in the foreign-born population accounted for
40.3%
of overall
population growth during that period.317,756
Between 2011 and 2016, the population in the city grew 4.2%.
The immigrant population increased 7.2%.
Total population
1,268,905 → 1,321,656
Immigrant population
296,520 → 317,756
7.2%
Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 .8%
El Salvador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 .6%
Honduras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 .8%
India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 .7%
Ethiopia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 .6%
1
3
2
4
5 62+6+3+3+2+24Other countries of origin
25.5%
Mexico
61.8%
24%
4.2%40.3%
| 35
New Americans in Dallas
2
SPENDING POWER & TAX CONTRIBUTIONS
Amount earned by immigrant households in 2016:
$7.9B
$1.9B went to federal taxes.2
Given their income, immigrants contributed significantly to state and local taxes,
including property, sales, and excise taxes levied by state or municipal governments.
Leaving them with $5.4B in spending power.4
$591.1M went to state and local taxes.3
Immigrants also support federal social programs.
In 2016, they contributed $847.7M to Social Security and $218.9M to Medicare.Social Security
$847 .7M
Medicare
$218 .9M
36 |
3
New Americans in Dallas
Walter Nguyen
SPOTLIGHT ONLABOR FORCE GROWTH
Although the foreign-born made up 24% of
the city’s overall population, they represented 31.6% of its working-age population, 31.5% of its employed labor force, and 23.9% of its STEM
workers in 2016.
24 .0%Population
Immigrant shares of the...
31 .5%Employed labor force
31 .6%Working-age population*
23 .9%STEM workers**
* Working-age refers to people ages 16-64 years old .** STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields .
Immigrants play a critical role in several key industries in the city. This includes:70+30P69.6%Share of workers in the industry who were foreign-born in 2016
Construction
43.5%
41.1%
37.9%
27.2%
41.1%
37.9%
27.2%
General Services5
Manufacturing
Accommodation & Recreation
Professional services6
24%Share of population
In 1982, at age 31, Walter Nguyen made his fifth and final attempt to escape Vietnam . Prior attempts had landed him in jail, but he did not have a choice . Food was scarce, and because he had worked as a press officer for U .S .-backed South Vietnamese forces, the communist government had a target on his back . “I was constantly being spied on,” says Nguyen . “So I looked for a way to escape, and find freedom, and rebuild my life .”
America gave him that opportunity . In Wisconsin, where he first settled, Nguyen became a bilingual social worker and earned a master’s degree in social work . He later received a PhD, as well as a distinguished alumni award, from the University of Texas at Arlington .
Nguyen had moved to Texas in 1989 to be close to his fiancé and brother . He got a job as a program manager at the East Dallas Counseling Center, and in 1993 was promoted to executive director . During his tenure, he launched an ambitious expansion in which he started a refugee health and emergency services program; added a 30-bed shelter for domestic violence victims; formed an anti-human trafficking initiative; and created a counseling department and a legal unit to guide people through family and immigration court . Today, the organization is called Mosaic Family Services and serves over 15,000 north Texans, a quarter of whom were born in the United States .
“I consider what I do social entrepreneurship,” he says . “I apply a business model toward social services, promoting results, effectiveness, and efficiency . But our bottom line is people, not money .”
Nguyen attributes the organization’s success to his background as a refugee . “Services are most effective when the provider understands the culture and the language of the client,” he says . “They instantly gain trust if they know you’ve shared their experience .” His background as a refugee also taught him perseverance . “If you can overcome the initial adjustment and lack of resources to obtain an education—that’s powerful . The American dream is always there,” he says . “As long as you work hard and are helpful to others .”
ED, Mosaic Family Services
| 37
New Americans in Dallas
4
Construction Workers . . . . . . . . . .29 .7%
General services8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 .1%
Professional services9 . . . . . . . . . . .15 .9%
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 .7%
Retail Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 .7%
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 .9%
LABOR FORCE GROWTH CONT.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
14,617local manufacturing jobs
that would have otherwise vanished or moved elsewhere.7
Because of the role immigrants play in the workforce helping companies keep jobs on U.S. soil, we estimate that, by 2016, immigrants living in the city had helped create or preserve...
Dallas Businesses, 2012 Sales Revenue, 2012
Number of Paid Employees, 201210
African American-owned $1.3B 7,928
Asian-owned $5B 27,050
Hispanic-owned $3.5B 20,278
32.2%
Immigrant share of entrepreneurs
24.0% Immigrant share of the population
Despite making up 24% of the overall population,
immigrants represented 32.2% of the entrepreneurs
in Dallas in 2016.
Immigrant entrepreneurs tended to
concentrate in these industries in 2016:
About 20,405 immigrants worked for their own businesses in 2016, generating $495.9M in business income.
30+21+16+8+7+18
1
3
2
4
5
6
38 |
5
New Americans in Dallas
Dallas Businesses, 2012 Sales Revenue, 2012
Number of Paid Employees, 201210
African American-owned $1.3B 7,928
Asian-owned $5B 27,050
Hispanic-owned $3.5B 20,278
EDUCATION
local jobs and spent . . .
1,962
3,179
students who were enrolled in Dallas
colleges and universities during the fall of 2015 were temporary resi- dents.11 International
students supported...
$150.3Min the 2016-2017 academic year .12
SPOTLIGHT ON
Immigrants are less likely to have a bachelor’s degree
or higher.
13.6% of U .S .-born
7.4% of Immigrants
Share of population over age 25 with an advanced degree:
Advanced degree
38.8%
of U .S .-born
18.2% of Immigrants
Share of population over age 25 with a bachelors degree or higher:
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Alex Medrano
Alex Medrano was 11 years old when his mother brought him to the United States from Mexico in search of a better education, an opportunity Medrano fast took advantage of . By his sophomore year of high school, he was taking college classes, and by graduation he had 62 hours of college credit and was tutoring peers in algebra and trigonometry . His mother, who had fled a violent husband, single-handedly supported her two children by cleaning houses .
Medrano’s goal was to become an electrical engineer . He enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington after high school, but had to drop out due to financial barriers . To help fund college and support his family, Medrano began working as a teller at Wells Fargo . As he advanced—he became a personal banker after just eight months—he developed a new focus: helping people in the community improve their financial situation .
“One of my biggest passions is helping people who don’t realize they can do so much with their lives, to buy a house or build credit,” Medrano says . “I love getting them through the process . It’s amazing how much you can change a life .”
Medrano—who has since re-enrolled in school—now advises small businesses and entrepreneurs on launching their projects . He also volunteers financial planning advice to members of the Hispanic Contractor’s Association and the Dallas Chamber of Commerce .
“Since 2014, I’ve been creating a little bit of a career,” he says . Medrano is now leaning toward more community-oriented work . “I volunteer at a food pantry and attend city council meetings to share updates with my customers . I would love to work for a nonprofit and educate people in need about their finances .”
Unfortunately, Medrano’s ability to continue offering his financial services could be at risk . Medrano is one of more than 226,000 Texans who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that provides qualifying undocumented immigrants brought here as children with temporary legal status but that is slated to end in March 2018 .
“We want to develop ourselves here and make this country better,” Medrano says . “If we lose that opportunity, there’s a lot of potential lost .”
The American dream is always there,” he says . “As long as you work hard and are helpful to others .”
Financial Planning Advisor
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New Americans in Dallas
6
NATURALIZATION
Share of immigrants in Dallas who were naturalized citizens in 2016.This constituted 85,098 people.
26.8%
Naturalized
Share among those who were not citizens but
potentially eligible for naturalization in 2016.
This constituted 47,288 people.
20.3% Potentially eligible
HOUSING WEALTH
43.6% of the U.S.-born owned their own homes.
In 2016,42.2%
of immigrants in
Dallas owned
their own homes,
compared with57.2%
who rented.
The total property value of immigrant households was$11.2B.
Their total annual rent was $734.1M.
42+57+1RImmigrant households
Homeowners
No response
Renters
40 |
7
New Americans in Dallas
In 2015, 92.6% of immigrant
households in Dallas had bank accounts, compared with 94.9%
of U.S.-born households.
FOREIGN-BORN
Checking Only Both Checking and SavingsSavings OnlyNo Checking or Savings
7 .4%
94 .9%92 .6%
2 .4%
25 .7%72 .0%
BANKING13
Main methods of paying bills as cited by immigrants, 201537+30+12+21B37.4% - Electronic Payment via Bank29.6% - Personal Check11.6% - Debit Card
1
3
2
In 2015, these shares reported having applied for a bank loan or line of credit the previous year:
26.9% of immigrant households stated that their monthly income hassmall variation
month to month.
U.S.-born
20 .0%
Foreign-born
14 .7%
The income of immigrant households in the city remains relatively stable.
In 2015,70.2% of immigrant households reported their income remained roughly the same each month.
| 41
New Americans in Dallas
8
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE DACA-ELIGIBLE
Amount earned by DACA- eligible households in 2016:
$859.7M
$89M went to federal taxes.
Given their income, DACA-eligible immigrants contributed significantly to state and local taxes, including property, sales, and excise taxes levied by state or municipal governments.
Leaving them with $698.6M in spending power.
$72.0M went to state and local taxes.
About 10.7% of the DACA-eligible population ages 25 and above had at least a bachelor’s degree in the metro area.
The DACA-eligible population with a bachelor’s degree or above tend to concentrate in these
industries in the metro area:
18+13+10+59
1
3
2
Educational Services . . . . . . . . . . . .17 .9%
Finance and Insurance . . . . . . . . . . .13 .0%
Professional Services14 . . . . . . . . . .10 .4%
Other industries
58.7%
Top 5 Industries for the DACA-Eligible in the Dallas Metro Area:
22.3%
16.0%
13.8%
6.9%
6.8%
Tourism, Hospitality, & Recreation
Retail Trade
Construction
Administrative Support
Healthcare & Social Assistance
Number of DACA-eligible living in the Dallas metro area in 2016 Employment rate of DACA-eligible living in the Dallas metro area in 2016
63,396 93.4%
42 |
9
New Americans in Dallas
22+19+16+10+10+23
The median household income of the refugees in the city was $39,000
in 2016.
9
REFUGEES
16+84P16.1%Share of refugees in Dallas with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 2016
6+94P5.5%Share of refugees in Dallas with an advanced degree, 2016
Refugees in Dallas tend to concentrate in
these industries in the city:
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 .6%
Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 .9%
Healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 .4%
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 .4%
Professional Services16 . . . . . . . . . .9 .6%
1
3
2
Other industries
23.1%
REFUGEE WORKERS
58.7%Share of refugees in Dallas who were naturalized citizens in 2016.
5.2% Share of immigrants in Dallas who were likely refugees in 2016.15
This constituted 16,609 refugees.
4
5
Retail
21.6%
| 43
New Americans in Dallas
10
1 Unless otherwise specified, data comes from 1-year samples of the American Community Survey from 2011 and 2016 and figures refer
to the City of Dallas.
2 U.S. Congressional Budget Office. 2016. “The Distribution of Household Income and Federal Taxes, 2013.”
3 Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. 2015. “Who Pays? A Distributional Analysis of the Tax Systems in All Fifty States.”
4 Estimates are based on federal tax rates from the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, and state and local tax rates from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
5 General services include personal services (e.g. laundry services, barber shops, and repair and maintenance), religious organizations,
social services, and labor unions.
6 Professional services: Most of these industries include professions that require a degree or a license, such as legal services, accounting, scientific research, consulting services, etc.
7 Vigdor, Jacob. 2013. “Immigration and the Revival of American Cities: From Preserving Manufacturing Jobs to Strengthening the
Housing Market.” New American Economy. This report found that every 1,000 immigrants living in a county in 2010 created or
preserved 46 manufacturing jobs there. We apply that multiplier to the size of the foreign-born population in Dallas in 2016 to produce
our estimates. Jobs in the manufacturing sector are defined by the North American Industry Classification System, which includes a
wide range of industries such as food, machinery and electronic manufacturing.
8 General services include personal services (e.g. laundry services, barber shops, and repair and maintenance), religious organizations, social services, and labor unions.
9 Professional services: Most of these industries include professions that require a degree or a license, such as legal services,
accounting, scientific research, consulting services, etc.
10 2012 Survey of Business Owners, U.S. Census Bureau
11 Data on total student enrollment in the county is derived from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System maintained by the
National Center for Education Statistics. Temporary residents refer to people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Schools counted in the City of Dallas analysis include the Art Institute of Dallas; Dallas Baptist University; Dallas Christian College;
Dallas Community College District, El Centro College; Dallas Community College District, Mountain View College; Dallas Community
College District, Richland College; Dallas Theological Seminary; Parker University, College of Chiropractic; Paul Quinn College;
Southern Methodist University; The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; and Wade College.
12 Economic data is derived from the International Student Economic Value Tool maintained by NAFSA, the association of international educators.
13 2015 Current Population Survey, U.S. Census Bureau
14 Professional services: Most of these industries include professions that require a degree or a license, such as legal services, accounting, scientific research, consulting services, etc.
15 New American Economy. 2017. “From Struggle to Resilience: The Economic Impact of Refugees in America.”
16 Professional services: Most of these industries include professions that require a degree or a license, such as legal services, accounting, scientific research, consulting services, etc.
ENDNOTES
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