The News-Gazette: C-U among 25 communities selected for immigration-strategy award

Two groups have selected Champaign-Urbana as one of 25 communities that will receive an award for developing an immigration integration strategy.

Other winners of New American Economy and Welcoming America’s Gateways for Growth award include Chicago; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Portland, Maine; and Little Rock, Ark.

New American Economy is a partnership of mayors and business leaders who support immigration reforms; Welcoming America is a nonprofit that supports communities that are welcoming to immigrants.

The local effort will be led by the University YMCA, which will partner with the University of Illinois Research Park, the Champaign County Economic Development Corp. and the cities of Champaign and Urbana.

As a Gateways for Growth award recipient, C-U will get customized quantitative research reports from New American Economy on how immigrants have contributed to the community, along with assistance on drafting, executing and communicating the immigration integration strategy.

“Our campus is fully committed to being active participants in the planning process,” UI Chancellor Robert Jones said in a release.

Read the full story from The News-Gazette: “C-U among 25 communities selected for immigration-strategy award”