This morning, President Obama is scheduled to give a speech at American University on the need for immigration reform as a means to support the economic recovery.
I can think of no more powerful message to the nation than that of the hard-working, struggling "rust belt" cities seeking a new beginning by embracing the new jobs and industries that come with the new immigrants.
This Associated Content article outlines the reasons why immigrants and immigration reform could help drive a revival in cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh -- once great immigrant gateway cities, but today only a fraction of the population is foreign-born.
"Cleveland Lawyer Says Immigrants Can Energize Rust Belt Economies," by Chris Johnnston.
While to date the White House has not expressed support for any of these rust-belt/immigration initiatives, it might be time for President Obama to hear what some in these cities are saying.
Leadership in Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh are beginning to embrace immigration-based economic development strategies to help reverse depopulation trends, to help accelerate the transition to a New Economy, and create the industries and jobs of the future for its residents.
To demonstrate the exciting pro-immigration strategies being explored in these cities, see:
Global Detroit
Cleveland
here, here, and here
High-skill immigration reform also is a pillar of the following policy position of a coalition of 30 Chambers of Commerce in the Great Lakes: "Agenda for Jobs and Economic Transformation in the Great Lakes Region," page 7
These chambers, from Chicago to Pittsburgh, are clearly stating that immigration helped create the once-great economy in the Great Lakes region -- and immigration is necessary once again for prosperity to return.
Mr. President, are you listening to the rust belt?