Dallas News: Trump backlash? Dallas, Houston and others put out the welcome mat for immigrants
Date: May 24, 2018
As in America, there are two kinds of Texas.
One pushes a bathroom bill that targets transgender students and dismisses the hit on Texas’ business-friendly image, and the other rises up in opposition and holds off the measure.
One passes a “show me your papers” law that bans sanctuary cities, and the other files a legal challenge with the backing of San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin and more.
One sues to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the program to protect unauthorized immigrants brought here as children, and the other embraces the notion of becoming welcoming cities that nurture and integrate immigrants.
These clashes are a reminder that every action can lead to a reaction. In these examples, the response was a welcome alternative to the hard-line narrative that often bubbles up from Texas.
Consider the debate over immigration, which has been near the top of the hit list for the Trump administration and Texas’ top elected leaders. While they rail about border security and the rule of law — and stoke fear in the immigrant community — Dallas is putting out the welcome mat.
Last year, Dallas created the Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs with the aim of helping immigrants and refugees thrive in their adopted homeland. The office organized a citizenship campaign that attracted about 500 people last fall, and it’s working with police to improve engagement with the immigrant community. Next month, the office hopes to submit a strategic welcoming plan to encourage diversity and inclusion, and make that a competitive advantage.
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