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for the second year in a row. This is a after decades of population decline in the Motor City.

What explains the turnaround? One factor may be Detroit's .

These efforts continue despite a dramatic national shift in tone toward new arrivals. This includes from the second Trump administration targeting , and their , and .

We study and . Despite these federal policy shifts, and that of others has found that local leaders in cities across the U.S. are actively working to bring immigrants in and help them become part of local communities, .

Our recent publications on and show how and why cities adapt to changes in their population and economies.

Detroit and other such as Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri experienced significant immigration in the early 20th century. These population booms were followed by a period of decline in immigration numbers.

Now these cities are designed to attract and retain immigrants. It may be surprising to think of a city branding itself, but local governments often work with private nonprofits to shape and manage their city's image. They try to build a unique and desirable identity for the city, differentiate it from competitors, and attract new businesses, residents and tourists this way.

Here are three reasons why Detroit and other cities want to welcome immigrants:

1. Encouraging economic growth and attracting talent

Immigration has , research shows.

Local that in a global economy, a thriving industrial sector and robust labor market are . They also understand that the growth of these communities brings .

Immigrants are more likely than the general population . Organizations such as encourage entrepreneurship through programs such as the , and and provide resources for .

Immigrants also , from high-tech fields such as engineering and research to manual labor sectors such as construction and food service.

The promotes economic development and immigrant integration through , English as a second language programs, and .

These by attracting immigrants to the city.

This economic impact extends to tourism as well. The region's marketing campaigns embracing diversity shape how visitors perceive the region. The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau spotlights to tourists.

2. Enhancing community and regional resilience

describes a region's ability to withstand and adapt to challenges such as economic shocks and natural disasters. Cities like Detroit that are still trying to bounce back from deindustrialization know from experience how critical this is.

Immigration , research shows. In addition to supporting local economies and strengthening the labor force, the arrival of immigrants in Detroit has helped offset native-born population decline, stabilizing the overall population and bolstering local tax bases.

According to our analysis of data, the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area grew by 1.2%, to .

According to , the Detroit metro area's native-born population decreased by 58,693 people during that 13-year period, while the foreign-born population increased by 109,154. The for immigrants in the metro area are India, Iraq, Mexico, Yemen and Lebanon.

From 2023 to 2024, the metro area's population gained 40,347 immigrants and lost 11,626 native-born residents—resulting in a population gain of 28,721.

Efforts to and its surrounding communities contributed to this trend of immigrant population growth offsetting overall population decline.

3. Promoting social cohesion and enhanced civic engagement

Successful place brands are . Detroit's rich tapestry of cultures in areas such as Dearborn and Hamtramck creates a vibrant regional identity.

Organizations such as actively support local grassroots efforts to build mutual respect and ensure that immigrants are able to participate fully in the social, civic and economic fabric of their hometowns.

Examples include Global Detroit's , and . These initiatives help bring neighborhood residents of various backgrounds together to share their cultures, support each other's small businesses and socialize. Such programs strengthen the region's democratic foundations and enhance its appeal as a welcoming and inclusive place to live.

Forging a way forward

Detroit has found that welcoming immigrants and integrating them into the life of the city is one way to navigate the economic, political and cultural challenges it faces.

And it is not alone in embracing this strategy. Other cities practicing include Baltimore; Boise, Idaho; , North Carolina; Dallas; , Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans; Pittsburgh; Roanoke, Virginia; and Salt Lake City.

Although not all cities choose to pursue such strategies, in those that do, local leaders signal a region ready for a globalized future.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.