We’ve known for a while now that Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s plans to increase Baltimore’s population by 10,000 families in 10 years (starting two years ago) hinged on attracting immigrant families. To that end, the mayor signed an order “prohibiting police and social agencies from asking anyone about immigration status.” A few days ago, non-profit media group Next City released a video that advertises Baltimore’s immigrant-friendly climate called “Building Resilience in Baltimore Through Immigration.”
The clip starts out pretty spooky as it recalls Baltimore’s drastic population decline over the last several decades. But it quickly turns optimistic when treating the present day and of course the almost-too-bright-to-be-captured-on-video future, fueled by an increased tax base of enterprising immigrants.
Ostensibly, the video’s purpose is to assure immigrants that they can own a home, work, and thrive in Baltimore without fretting about their status. But it also makes the case to the rest of us that we should get on board. “This country was built on the resilience of immigrants, immigrants who became Americans,” says Catalina Rodriguez Lima, the mayor’s liaison for immigrant affairs, toward the end of the video. “We’re all Americans. We’re all working and contributing and wanting a better place for ourselves and for our children.”
Here it is:
Building Resilience in Baltimore Through Immigration from Next City on Vimeo.
I live in Fells Point, and I see a lot of good when I see immigrants – businesses, kids out playing, families doing things together, games in the park. The Latino Fest is huge in the park, and the Latino part of the Fells Point Festival keeps growing. It’s not Latino kids or adults we’re afraid of when it comes to crime issues. So far, so good. Keep immigrants coming.